"Tip-offs" for more security at home

"What is particularly unpleasant for the victims, is the use of sophisticated break-open tools by burglars, because the damage at the locking cylinder is not apparent at first sight", says Rolf Sodtke, burglary protection expert at CES, Velbert.  "In such cases, often only an expert opinion can furnish the evidence that a burglary did in fact happen."  And of course, only then will the insurance company pay. That is why it is so important that the entrance door and all outside doors are equipped with high-quality security cylinders that will withstand even the most sophisticated picking methods.  "A secure cylinder must have four key characteristics", says Rolf Sodtke, who knows all of the various picking techniques.

• One important element is the individual registration because with a registered cylinder, the making of unauthorized duplicate keys is excluded.  Each cylinder is unique and has its own registration number which is engraved on key and cylinder and is noted on a security card.  A duplicate key can only be ordered against presentation of this security card.
  
  
• A good cylinder will also be certified either pursuant to national standards such as DIN or pursuant to standards set by the insurance industry.  The German testing foundation Stiftung Warentest recommends that buyers should satisfy themselves that their new security cylinder meets at least the DIN standards, better still the demanding standards of VdS, the accredited certification institution of the German Insurance Association.  This would also put consumers in a better position in their negotiations with the insurance company.
  
  
• A classical method to open doors is to drill and pull out the cylinder.  A secure cylinder should therefore have special hard metal inserts in the cylinder hull and the cylinder plug.  Even with a special drill, burglars do not stand a chance to overcome this barrier.
  
  
• And finally, the cylinder should also include a mechanism against picking by the rapping technique, which is sometimes referred to as "percussion method" or "code 10 method" and leaves virtually no traces that can be seen with the naked eye.

It goes without saying that a security cylinder must also offer a maximum of operating security and convenience for the users.  So an "emergency function" should ensure that the entrance door can also be opened if a key is inserted on the inside.  And talking of convenience: What many house owners have not realized is that they can implement a locking system also in their own private home.  The advantage: You have but a single key for all locks - entrance door and garage, garden door or letter box can all be opened with one and the same key.

With the fitting of security cylinders at entrance door, garden and/or basement door or garage, an effective burglary protection can also be retrofitted quickly and without major expense.  And while he is on site fitting the cylinders, the locksmith can also assess the environment.  After all, even the best security cylinder will only offer real protection if it is flush with a protective armature of a certified quality.  The police also recommend to exercise caution when handing your keys to somebody else and clearly warn against hiding the key outside the house.