Note from the Editor:
This article was kindly written for the SDC by member @Doctor Alan.

Security doors:
Security fly-mesh or screen doors are a relatively common and sensible solution for modern homes. They are designed not only to keep insects out and cool air in, but also to keep out those nasty little ‘oiks’ that try to break into your castle to pinch all sorts of things.


A quick search online will reveal the two major differences between an ‘ordinary’ flyscreen door and a security door. In summary:

1. A security door has a very strong steel or stainless steel mesh fastened to the frame securely enough to prevent easy removal or damage, while a flyscreen door has only fibreglass or aluminium mesh.
2. Security door locks have at least three points of lockable contact with the door frame, preventing easy removal.

How to prevent being ‘locked out’:
My wife and I have managed to get ‘locked out’ of two houses where we’ve lived, and I’m quite ashamed to admit it since it could have been prevented on both occasions.

On the first occasion, we closed the back door behind us and realised we’d forgotten to take the key with us. Ultimately, the only alternative was to break a window to get in, which we did—choosing the smallest window that would allow us to reach in and unlock a door!

On the second occasion, it was not really our fault entirely. We’d both left the house by the back door to work in the garden, and slid the security screen door closed behind us. When we tried to get back in, the top ‘safety lock’ had not been released, and the door was securely closed.

In hindsight, we’d both noticed that the catch ‘wasn’t quite right’. The door sometimes got ‘caught’ while we tried to slide it open, and I should have adjusted it accordingly. Wear and tear on doors is quite normal, and specific adjustments are often made to allow for smooth operation.


On this occasion, the frame latch, which is moved up and held inside the frame by the lock lever, had held onto the tongue in the frame instead of simply dropping down, as it should have.

I realised the door would have to be manipulated a fair bit to release the latch, but I had no tools to do this. The garden shed was locked (key inside the house, of course), and we couldn’t even exit the back yard without climbing over our 6-foot fence! (Not a good idea at our age!)


Luckily, our neighbours were home and within shouting distance, and we eventually managed to get them to lend us a couple of substantial screwdrivers with which we levered the bottom of the door away from its frame. I was able to get the door off its outside roller and pulled it away from the frame enough for me to squeeze into the house.

You may think that if I could get into our house ‘that easily’ (!) then it’s not very secure, and what’s the point of having a ‘security door’?

For one thing, the door was not ‘locked’; it was only one of the three points of contact between the door and the frame that was holding it closed. For another, a sliding glass door occupies the same space, and this would normally be locked as well if we were leaving the house.

To prevent this from becoming an issue in the future, we have bought a magnetic ‘key safe’ that houses our keys and allows us entry. Several different ‘key safes’ can be purchased online or from places like Bunnings, BigW, Kmart, etc.

Temu sells ‘lock-box’ type key safes for around $5.50 + postage (they have the really frustrating $50 minimum, so I generally avoid that method). AliExpress sells a lock-box for $7.35 including postage, while precisely the same 4-digit coded lock box sells at Big W for $48!

Personally, I’d spend a bit more (if you want a ‘lockbox’) and purchase one with a six-digit code. You can also get a ‘dummy rock’ type of key safe for just a few dollars. Another alternative is to change external locks to those that require a code to enter the house. You may have to ‘get man in’ to do this, though—against my DIY principles!


Final thoughts:
I removed the sliding door and carefully bent all the damaged framework before re-hanging it so that it’s pretty hard to tell that it’s been ‘in the wars’. I put a little grease or light oil on moving parts to prevent any more ‘sticking’. As well as making a ‘thank-you card, we bought a Lotto ticket for our helpful neighbours, and I’m pleased to say they had a small ‘win’.

Forewarned is forearmed, and I made sure none of our other sliding doors showed any sign of ‘sticking’.

I hope this article has been helpful. It’s really embarrassing to have to ‘break in’ to your own home!


From the Editor:
Getting locked out of your own home happens to the best of us! In this week’s story, Dr Al shares a light-hearted yet practical reminder about the importance of maintaining your security doors and locks. From a stubborn latch to a makeshift rescue mission (and some very helpful neighbours), it’s a timely nudge for all of us to check that our doors are working as they should.

A quick tune-up or a handy key safe could save you a lot of trouble next time… and maybe even a broken window!

Have you ever had your own ‘locked out’ adventure? Share your story in the comments below. We’d love to hear about it!


Love Alan’s writing and want to read more? You might also like to read:
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Our Best Friends
The Gambling Compulsion
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Being Old!
It’s About Time
The Twang’s the Thang!
Being Lucky
Are We All Liars?
The Coo of the Doves, The Hiss of the Guzunder
‘Till Death Us Do Part
Living in Retirement
Alan G.’s Member Spotlight: ‘Almost Famous’
The Ice Cream Job: The Tech Guy – Dr Al
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Up-Sticks and Move Interstate!