Door Lock Help Please!

[meglet]

I’ve just given my parents a heart attack by not answering my mobile, home phone and eventually door bell for 2 hours (I was napping with headphones with my boys as they woke me up at 4.45 on a day I’m not feeling well!)

We have a double cylinder look on our uPVC door but if the key is in it on the inside, another key cannot open it from the outside. It won’t go all the way in. Is there a lock I can get that will allow this? I’m looking on the B&Q website but no idea if such a thing exists.

[woofgang]

mine is the same. The answer is simple which is don't leave the key in on the inside. If you need to lock it for child safety then lock it and remove the key. Leave the key somewhere very near to the lock.

[anneasquith]

Hang the inside key over the door handle when you are in the house, poor mum and dad :-(

[bhg481]

If you want to leave your key in the lock then just pull it out a small amount; this will allow a key to be fully inserted from the outside.

[meglet]

I would normally take it out but I wasn’t expecting anyone round.

I’ve had another look and actually you can get ones that just have a thumb turn nob on the inside (which I hope my toddler boys won’t work out!) which I think might be the answer.

Thanks all.

[woofgang]

I make it a habit to remove my key as the door cannot be opened from the outside without a key....and if the key is in the inside of the lock then it can't be opened from the outside at all....similarly I never step out of the house without having a key on me because I live alone....mind you the lock is pretty old.

[bhg481]

meglet // which I hope my toddler boys won’t work out! //

There speaks optimism. Children will work ANYTHING out - don't underestimate them. Your only safe way is to always remove the keys; that way you won't find, one day, that they've worked out how to remove the keys and lose them.

[meglet]

These uPVC doors are notoriously easy to open if they’re not kept locked. I’ve done it myself when I shut the door without a key. I literally opened it just by leaning on it and using a credit card. So it has to be kept locked, and for fire safety reasons I keep the key in it when I’m inside.

I think this thumbturn nob on the inside is the answer. The boys would have to work out how to lower the handle as well as turning the nob to open it so I’ll just make sure they never see me do it.