Security fittings for more safety

A security fitting is mounted on the front door and protects the profile cylinder and mortise lock from mechanical impact. This means that the lock cannot be broken open without considerable force - which deters burglars because it costs them time. The goal: to protect your house or flat from unwanted intruders.

Statistically, burglars tend to be young, between 20 and 30 years old, and male. There is also something to be said about nationality: according to the 2016 report of the German Insurance Association, over half of the suspects are of German origin, so typical clichés are not fulfilled. Anyone who expects black clothing that is ready for film is also wrong. Criminals try to look as inconspicuous as possible. Light, colourful clothing with conspicuous features is avoided and dark clothing gives more camouflage at night, but typical clothing cannot be described per se. The more normal the criminal appears, the more successful he can be in carrying out his plan. Large pockets are also not an indication: a screwdriver is simply hidden, and jewellery, credit cards and money fit into a jacket pocket. More meaningful is the behaviour and to what extent the presence of a person deviates from the usual and cannot be explained. Also interesting: According to the above report, surprisingly more than 40% of the burglars come from the direct environment of the victims.

A protection class always refers to the resistance of the material to an attempted burglary. For private dwellings with normal to increased risk, the protection provided by doors and windows of classes RC 1 - 3 is considered sufficient. RC 3 essentially corresponds to resistance class 3. From the higher classes onwards, even experienced offenders can be fended off who use heavy tools such as a percussion axe or a drill to attack the windows or doors. However, occasional offenders tend to use simple tools that can be hidden inconspicuously, such as screwdrivers, pliers or wedges.

Good security fittings are labelled with the manufacturer's name or mark, the resistance class and the test number. They are marked with the corresponding test and inspection mark.

One would assume that burglars are most active at night and during holidays. However, this is only true for 15% of burglaries. According to studies, the high season for burglars at the end of the year is between October and December. If burglaries occur at night, they are most likely to occur in the morning hours between 2 and 4 am. At this time, residents and neighbours are thought to be fast asleep. However, a break-in in broad daylight between 10 am and 6 pm is much more likely. Studies have shown that this is true for more than half of all burglaries. By no means are only single-family homes affected: In the morning between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., flats in apartment buildings are the focus of criminals. Another frightening fact: in about 13 % of the burglaries in one study, the residents were inside the house. Statistically speaking, a break-in is statistically most unlikely on Sundays, and more likely on Thursdays and Fridays.

A security upgrade in rented flats, like all changes affecting the building fabric, must be agreed with the owner. It makes sense to obtain written permission, which also excludes the obligation to dismantle the building when moving out. Ideally, change requests can be clarified before the tenancy agreement is signed.

It is advisable to equip windows and doors with burglar-resistant protective fittings, but rethinking daily habits also helps to prevent burglaries: even on hot summer nights, do not leave windows and patio doors open and always close all roller shutters at night. Windows should not be left unattended in the tilt position and doors should not only be closed but also locked when leaving the flat. This is advisable for insurance reasons, as a burglary is only considered to be proven if traces of forced entry are visible. If this is not the case, it can be assumed that the residents have been negligent. The insurance company does not then have to pay for the damage. Ground level patio and balcony doors are a major weak point. However, balconies that can be accessed, for example, via an adjacent garage roof, are also popular with thieves.