Take on "Bump' proofing.

Here is a quite different suggestion for defeating bumping, gentlemen.

Buy (as can easily be done now on the Internet) a lever mortice deadlock from Britain. Choose one conforming to BS3621. These are 5 lever, and resistant to picking, drilling, and end-pressure forcing (i.e. jemmying). Lever mechanisms are not susceptible to bumping. Your local burglars will not have the first idea how to pick them. The fact that your local locksmiths probably have neither the kit nor the expertise to pick pick-resisting lever locks could be a problem in the long run, but no doubt they can think of some ways to open such locks in emergency ... .

I cannot comment on how much these would cost you - the $ exchange rate at present is not in your favour.

It has to be admitted, however, that if you desire a small convenient key, you will be disappointed by the size of bit key needed for a lever mortice lock (and please, a bit key for a lever lock is NOT a 'skeleton key').

There is a lever lock (inherently not susceptible to bumping) with a key similar to a pin tumbler key, though this is not a cheap option. The Ingersoll 'Impregnable' 10 lever mechanism is a lever mechanism in a cylinder locking device. It is not a standard cylinder, however, and will only fit Ingersoll Impregnable locks. There are both rim and mortice models in the range. If correctly fitted, the cylinder cannot be turned by a pipe wrench; even if put into a round hole, it is difficult to twist or pull.

If a small convenient key is really important to you, the Bramah lock key is small. Again the lock mechanism is inherently not susceptible to bumping. It is also highly pick-resistant, and Bramah locks are physically strong. Ingersoll and Bramah locks offer key registration, with extra keys available by post from the maker to the registered owner. Key registration is also available on some Chubb locks..

Someone said that protection against forcible entry is important, and I assumed at first a house with a brick outer skin, which is normal British building practice. Later posts suggest you might have a real problem with fixing your doorframes. I was going to suggest inserting some frame-fixers to make the doorframe secure, then using hinge bolts on the hanging stile (especially on outward-opening doors). Mortice locks need a stile of 1¾" minimum thickness, and the door should preferably be solid - surely you have some solid door types available. Panelled doors can be strengthened with sheet steel (or expanded steel mesh) on the inside - but no doubt you are quite competent at sucking eggs without my telling you that.

Secondary double glazing is relatively cheap, and has advantages in addition to security. It is possible to use forms of plastic glazing which are more resistant than glass. In Britain we have a plastic glazing which is difficult to penetrate; it is difficult to break or pierce a large enough hole for an intruder to enter (or exit). It contains steel mesh which is difficult to cut with hand tools. A variety of patterns is made: square and diamond mesh are the most popular. This glazing is also made with an obscured pattern ('frosted') suitable for privacy, and coloured for decorative use. Even if the glazing is penetrated with a cigarette lighter or blowlamp, the metal mesh remains.

Meshlite:

Presumably, something similar is available in America.

Security-wise, this is a pretty neat idea. I'm quite familiar with these locks and installed them in various homes that I owned in the UK. I seriously considered adding one to my front door in California.

There is almost certainly an issue with code (American for Building Regs). Emergency egress is a problem with such a lock. An intelligent homeowner can deal with this by placing a key sufficiently close to the door to be helpful (but not so close that it's helpful to a bad guy on the outside!)

However, regulations and lawyers do not allow for the presumption of intelligence on the part of the homeowner ;-)

My visit to USA in 1968 does not qualify me to opine on your building practices or Code. In Britain, our Building Regulations allow a householder to use a deadlock on outer doors - and this is officially encouraged. Could your Code be satisfied by placing a key in an adjacent keysafe?

If not, there are models suitable for fire exits. I was not intending to dilate on the various models in, for example, the Ingersoll and Bramah ranges - you can see the catalogues on the Internet. Suffice to say, both offer mortice locks with thumb turns on the inside, suitable for use where there is no breakable glass in or adjacent to the door. If there is, door security is inevitably at risk without a deadlock; is this what your Code requires? Breakable glass could be replaced by other forms of glazing?

Ingersoll rim automatic deadlatch has a trigger action which throws the square saw-resistant deadbolt (without use of the key) when the door closes. There is an inside handle; this can be deadlocked from the outside by an extra turn of the key, a function which can be used when the house is unoccupied. There is also a fire exit version of this lock whose inside handle cannot be deadlocked.

The Bramah mortice deadlocks can be remotely operated with electric releases (not many electric releases are available for mortice deadlock bolts), and the locks can be contacted. These features allow them to be incorporated into both fire and burglar alarms. And just look at the size of those stainless steel deadbolts - using a hacksaw is slow work ... . For most of the last half century, Bramah keys as standard were ringbow: see the bottom key here:

resembles the common cheap zinc diecast keys used in Britain for cheap wardrobe locks - but Bramah keys are welded stainless steel! In the last couple of years, however, the previously optional coin bow has become standard. It is a little larger diameter, and easier to turn.

Bramah and Ingersoll Impregnable locks are not cheap: they are high security locks, and I venture to suggest they offer better security than many locks more readily available to US customers. British householders also increasingly use window locks. In Britain, more burglars enter through insecure windows. Entry through back doors is more common than through front doors. Window locks which lock automatically when the window is closed, and only need the key to open are most convenient. There are makes and models for most types of wood and metal windows, e.g.:

are numerous British locksmiths on the Internet who could supply customers by mail. I know most people begrudge spending money on locks - only strange people like lock collectors *enjoy* buying locks. Nevertheless,

"The dread and anxiety, which every inhabitant of the metropolis and its environs must feel in the reflection that he sleeps with no other assurance of safety, but the hope that chance ... might direct the invaders of the night to some other victim, is an evil that cannot be contemplated without horror. To secrete objects of temptation, and to prevent access to them by every possible security, seems therefore to promise more towards lessening the number of robberies, which bring daily disgrace on the police, and disturb the peace of the cities of London and Westminster, than the dread of any punishment, which the law of England can inflict."

whilst expressed in old-fashioned language, is advice as true today as when Joseph Bramah wrote it in London in 1784! (This seems to be almost the earliest published crime prevention advice, although Jesus (first century AD) did observe that "If the householder had known when the burglar was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be burgled!" Be sober and vigilant, therefore. And if you cannot be at home and on guard all the time, prudence suggests good locks be fitted and used, until all men obey the commandments not to covet and not to steal.

There are cheaper British lever locks, conforming to "BS3621 Thief-resistant locks for hinged doors", e.g.:

deadbolts, operated inside by removable key (or thumbturn) are also useful on doors other than final exit doors; there are many makers: Just out of interest, US readers might like to look at the British locksmiths' view of domestic security, used in the 'Sold Secure' scheme, intended for new homes.

Probably not but I'm far from an expert in these matters. Furthermore, there isn't one national code, although there are some codes that have been adopted by most jurisdictions. However, the rules can change from state to state, county to county and even city to city.

In some cases, the rules are silly. If it were just me living here, I would have gone ahead with one of those standard Chubb 5-lever mortice locks anyway. What made me pause is the fact that we have three children living here. In the event of a fire, I want them to be able to get out without any delay!

And you have to bear in mind, fire is a significantly greater risk where I live in California (compared to the UK). It took me a while to figure out why folks were more concerned about fire risks here. The houses are built of wood (versus brick) and it doesn't rain, at all, for 6-8 months of the year! Hence a level of concern that doesn't appear to make sense from a UK perspective.

The UK .v. US differences are interesting. I am not a locksmith and I haven't studied them in a serious manner but I have noticed a few things. For example, I'd say that US residential doors and locks tend to be less secure than their UK equivalents. However, window security seems to be better here. Having said that, consumers want low cost and the security of most residential premises is pretty poor in both countries. Businesses are much more willing to pay the price for good quality doors/windows/locks.

I am ignorant of US building practices, and building Code(s), beyond what Hollywood shows me. I am though, aware that some parts of America are hot and dry, and some suffer tornados. Also, it does seem that timber dwellings are more common than in Britain. It's not a matter of US concern for fire safety not making sense to me. Britain has had some disastrous fires in non-domestic premises, with wilful violation of Building Regulations concerning safety in some cases. However, escape from dwellings is not often a crucial feature of domestic fire tragedies. We now have a very high fire loading in British homes, many of which still have, for example, upholstery which produces large volumes of poisonous smoke. Most fire casualties are overcome by smoke these days. In most homes here, escape in a fire could be possible by smashing a window. Although modern aluminium, and plastic, windows are lockable, far from all older windows have locks - they were not supplied with them.

Opine! Well f*ck me!

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No question that most fatalities arise due to smoke inhalation rather than the fire itself.

I'm not at all sure that smashing the window is a viable option in many situations. Breaking double (or triple) glazed windows is not trivial, even for a large man. Certainly not for a child. Also, windows at a low level (and easy to reach) are increasingly fitted with laminated glass for safety.

Window locks, and catches, could present a significant challenge for a young child also. Of course, a little one like that should never be alone in a house, but they could be alone in a room!

I think some of the regulations are just plain silly but the risk of problems with the 5-lever locks and emergency egress seem fairly real if you have small children (or elderly/infirm folks) in the house.