New research shows women feel most unsafe at their own front door - here's what it means for you
We know you're busy. So when research comes out that we think is genuinely relevant to the work you're doing day to day, we like to share it.
Ultion - one of the high-security cylinder brands we stock - recently commissioned a UK-wide study into how women feel about personal safety during the winter months. Some of the findings are striking, and we think they're worth knowing about when you're having conversations with your customers.
69% of women feel less safe outside after dark in winter
76% actively change their behaviour to feel safer
1 in 10 have cancelled plans altogether due to safety fears
What surprised us - and what's most relevant to our industry - is where women feel most at risk. It's not just the walk home. It's the front door itself.
At the front door specifically:
33% have feared someone was watching or following them to their door
15% say unlocking the door in the dark is the moment they feel most at risk
22% have felt unsafe approaching their own home in the past year
40% would feel safer if they didn't have to fumble for their keys
That 40% figure tells you something important. The anxiety isn't just about the journey home - it's about those few seconds standing at the door, key in hand. The faster and more confidently someone can get through their front door, the better. And that starts with knowing the lock itself is actually up to the job.
"The moment they should feel safest - when they reach their front door - is when anxiety peaks." - Annabel Mantel, Managing Director, Ultion
Only 21% of women feel very confident that their front door lock would actually stop a break-in. That's not just a perception issue. For a lot of doors being fitted right now, it's a fair assessment - and it comes down to the cylinder.
What does a 3 star cylinder actually mean?
No star: Untested. No formal resistance to snapping, picking, or drilling. Still common in budget installations.
1 star: Resists picking, drilling and bumping - but not snapping. Needs a 2 star handle to reach the full standard.
3 star: The highest rating under TS007. Resists snapping, picking, drilling and bumping - all in one cylinder, nothing extra needed.
Lock snapping is one of the most common burglary methods on composite and uPVC doors. A standard cylinder can be broken in seconds using tools anyone can buy online. A 3 star cylinder is designed so that even if force is applied, the internal mechanism stays locked.
Most homeowners have no idea the cylinder in their door matters this much. They assume a lock is a lock. You know it isn't - and that's a useful conversation to have when you're on site.
It's worth knowing that both of our composite door ranges already come with 3 star cylinders as standard. Solidor doors include the Ultion 3 Star, and Rockdoor comes with the Avocet ABS Attack Series 3 Star. Both are independently tested to the highest level under TS007 - so if you're fitting either of those, your customers are already getting the best.