Window Locks Close a Window of Opportunity for the Burglar

by: Martin Underwood

Window glass, like any other glass, can be smashed of course. But if you were a burglar would you want to break in to a home by breaking the window?

Likely you would not want to do that. Breaking glass makes noise, very distinctive noise that is likely to attract a lot of unwelcome attention. And then there is the risk of cutting yourself, if you were a burglar you would not want to cut yourself and lay yourself open to being identified by your DNA.

Although intruders do break windows, they prefer to climb in through an open window. Often the burglar does not even have to open the window himself because a surprisingly high number of us leave our homes with a window conveniently open, a real gift for a burglar.

Where windows are closed and locked it is often with very flimsy and poor quality locks. In fact many older windows are fitted with latches not locks, and these present no problem at all to the burglar.

Even good quality window locks are not expensive. It will not break the bank to have the extra peace of mind knowing that good window locks protect your windows.

Some types of window lock do not lock with a key but are secured by a thumb turn. These do a good job in preventing your windows from being opened from the outside unless, of course, the burglar takes that risk in breaking the glass. He can then reach in and operate the lock. By opening the window he lessens his chance of cutting himself when he climbs in.

Window locks that lock with a key are the best way to secure your windows, but the key must always be kept somewhere close to hand and all members of your family must know exactly where it is kept. You do not want any member of your family trapped in a blazing room to be hunting for the key. In fact if the window is a designated escape route you may be prevented by your local building code from fitting key operated window locks.

Another advantage of locks for upper story windows is that they prevent children from opening windows and falling out.

Quality window locks that are visible from outside offer the advantage that the burglar can see what he is up against. If he can see that the locks may thwart him, or give him a good deal of difficulty, he may just decide to leave your home alone and look elsewhere.

It may be necessary to fit more than one window lock to each window depending on the size. The larger the window the more the strain the lock will have to resist if the window is forced. Do not neglect small windows. Intruders can get in through incredibly small windows and some in fact use child accomplices to climb in for them.

Don't be tempted to forget about your upper story windows because the burglar won't, forget about them that is. Burglars do use ladders, often obtained from neighbors gardens, to get in through upper windows, so be sure, fit window locks.

Close that window of opportunity for the burglar, fit good window locks all round and likely the burglar will go elsewhere.