While student accommodation can be great fun, it also comes with some potential risks. Students, by their nature, are usually curious, adventurous, and happy to take risks in life that adults simply would not. It’s all part of the joy of being a student, right? Unfortunately, that blasé attitude can lead to some costly mistakes. It can be easy to become overly trusting of fellow students and their friends, for example. That means you could leave yourself vulnerable to loss of possessions and/or privacy.
That’s why it is essential that students look into buying door locks and chains. Landlords might wish to think about installing high-quality, secure door chain lock fittings on every bedroom in their student accommodation. As a student, if your landlord has not provided this security feature, you should speak to them about having one installed. How, though, do you make sure you buy a quality chain?
Use this guide, built on advice from UK ironmongery security experts at Locks & Hardware, for insight. With this, you should find it much easier to find quality chains that go far beyond the basics.
Student Rooms & Shared Spaces: Do They Need Chains?
In the often care-free lifestyle of a student, it’s easy to focus on having fun. Meeting new people often means having them over to your accommodation. However, just about any student’s room should be carefully protected. If you are out for the day and your fellow student housing residents have guests over, you want to make sure that they cannot simply waltz into your room and snoop around, yes?
With that in mind, something as simple as a chain can help to prevent that kind of unwanted access. The chain can be locked into place, only unlockable by you with a high-security implement like a key. Most students are budget-conscious, though, and rely on door chains that can only be opened internally. That means you need to be in the room to make sure the chain is active.
Whether you wish to simply be allowed to do your own thing, study in peace, or avoid potential security risks during roommate/visitor transitions, door locks and chains make a lot of sense. They are also one of the most cost-effective installations you can include. Most landlords will be happy to either help you fit the chain or meet you halfway on the price. So long as you get landlord permission to fit these door locks and chains, you should have no problem getting exactly what you are looking for!
Choosing Between Standard and Lockable Chains
As we mentioned above, some door locks and chains can be locked. That gives you the ability to double-secure the door and make sure that the chain remains lockable even if you are out of the room. Naturally, lockable door locks and chains will cost you more, but they do provide you with that extra functionality and peace of mind. Speaking with Locks & Handles, we found out some useful insights about what options might be best for you.
Standard Door Chains
A typical door chain is really a chain that fits into a little latch on the door. When you engage the latch with the chain, the door will only open up a few inches. That is ideal for boosting privacy and making sure that people simply cannot walk into your room unimpeded. They are highly effective and easy to use; when you are in the room, simply slide the chain into place and enjoy your freedom.
Many student housing buildings are boisterous; it is likely that at least a few days or nights per week will mean some kind of social gathering. If you are trying to focus on your studying or simply enjoying a bit of ‘me time’, then this might become an irritant. With a standard door chain lock, you reduce the risk of being bothered. As such, you can focus on doing what you intended to simply by sliding the little chain into place. Most of the time, this will be a chain attached to a little circular latch.
For the most part, standard chains are ideal for those who only want to lock their room when they are inside. You might find that a more traditional door lock is ideal if you want to keep your room private when you are elsewhere. In terms of cost, standard door locks and chains are going to be cheaper than lockable chains.
Lockable Door Chains
A lock is another option that you might wish to include for a bit of additional security. These are ideal for most door types, especially glass doors and uPVC doors. They might be ideal not only for student bedrooms, but for storage areas, boiler cupboards, and even bathrooms. They are great for those who want to have the ability to both put the chain on and lock the door from the other side.
Say you are going to a lecture, but your other housemates are staying in for a party. They may have guests over whom you do not know or do not trust. With a lockable chain lock for your door, you stop them from being able to enter your room and look around. We all know how exploratory students can be, so this is a consideration worth taking into account. If you are concerned about privacy invasions when you are out, a two-way lockable door chain is probably worth the extra investment to you.
Tailor Door Chain Selection To Your Living Situation
Every student is different. You might be in accommodation with only people you know; many people end up sharing accommodation with a sibling or childhood friends. Still, even when we live with the people we love most, a bit of privacy can go a long way.
If you want the best protection at an added cost, go for a lockable door chain. If you want basic protection while you are in your room, go for a standard door chain. Finally, a pro tip from the experts at Locks & Handles: be sure to carry out annual reviews of your chain. Make sure it still locks as it should, that it is not wobbling, and that all of the fittings and fixtures are still as tight as ever. Stay safe!