Thumb Turn Locks: A Practical Guide for holiday home owners (and anyone else)

As a holiday homeowner the safety of your guests will be paramount you want them to have a great time and you want them to have a safe time. When it comes to fire safety, small details can make a significant difference. To be able to open a final exit door easily is a requirement for sleeping accommodation. 

Considering the appropriate means of escape is a fundamental part of any holiday home fire risk assessment.

The scenario

Most people have a night time routine which often involves locking all doors, and in a significant number of cases removing the key to a regular spot nearby.  It becomes an automatic process.

So imaging waking in the middle of the night, in an unfamiliar place, disorientated from waking suddenly to a screeching smoke alarm, maybe impaired by a few whisky’s (we are in Scotland after all).  You open the bedroom door and can smell the smoke; adrenaline surges and you dash down stairs for the front door.  It’s locked and there’s no key, you can’t remember where you put it.  You do not want to go back up those stairs.

In an emergency every second counts.

What is a thumb turn lock?

Thumb turn locks are a type of door lock that can be easily operated with a simple turn of the thumb, eliminating the need for a key. Very similar to the old yale locks, without the hazard of locking you out. 

Locks with keys can pose a challenge during emergency evacuations, as finding and inserting a key may take precious time.  Hands shake with adrenaline and panic.  Thumb turn locks provide a quick and hassle-free exit. With a simple turn of the thumb, people can swiftly unlock doors and make their way to safety.

Thumb turn locks are user-friendly, making them particularly beneficial for children, the elderly, and individuals with mobility issues.

On which doors should I install thumb locks?

The most important door to have a thumb lock installed is the one nearest to the escape route from each of the bedrooms.  In a simple house layout this would usually mean the front door.  In some properties the layout is more complex and more doors may need consideration. The benchmark standard is to have a similar lock on both front and rear doors.

Installation and cost

Thumb turn locks are relatively easy to install and can be retrofitted to existing doors.  There are several types which often mean just the barrel requires changing or maybe a separate lock from the handle.  It does not take long, a good handyperson can fit them, and a new door is not required.

Door requiring key to open