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Watch out for the Milkman!

On an inspection a while back I found an interesting security issue in a Condo. The building had originally been apartments. These 1920's apartment buildings had little doors at each unit where the milkman could leave the milk/eggs; and then there was another door inside the unit where the owner could retrieve the milk/eggs. I wondered why no one had ever seen this as a security issue----as it would be very easy for persons to gain access to the unit by crawling through the delivery doors. Were people really that much more "honest" in the good-ole-days----or have I just become more cynical that I find security issues where there aren't any?

access door

Charles Buell

www.buellinspections.com

Posted by Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector on 01/08/2008 11:05 AM

Comments (11)

seattle home inspectors, ashi home inspectors, nachi home inspectors, home inspection education, security, safety

Originally posted at: Seattle Home Inspector's Blog: Watch out for the Milkman!

11 Comments on Watch out for the Milkman!

JAN

2008

That's a trip! Looks like a small door. Could a grown person access the unit?

I'm surprised they haven't been eliminated over the years. At least it seems to have that little locking latch on the inside of the door.

Would-be burglars may find a surprise on the other side...Does the condo allow dogs? Remember in Ferris Bueller's Day Off when the principal stuck his head in the doggie door and came face to face with a Rottie?!

I used to have neighnors that would leave their doors unlocked. You ask me how I know this. Well, I am not talking

We have lost such quaint things over time.

The door was approximately 16"x18" and the "average" adult could easily get through it.

And these are the challenges us agents get to work with....lol.

That is "old school"... As yes, times were different.

Yikes....I cannot immagine leaving my doors unlocked while I'm gone all day. Not these days.

Patricia Aulson Hampton NH Real Estate

We have a couple of old condos with these - typically they're above counter level rather than low to the ground. Never thought about anyone going through them! It's good the condo is secure.

JAN

2008

Charlie,

What I consider to be similar, and probably worse, is the house with the pet door the size for a German shepherd or a Saint Bernard. They often have some flimsy door that could easily be pressed open and they are often in the back door. Now, if the dog is in there, not as likely to cause trouble but it seems the dog is usually long gone. Even a pet door a small child could enter can be a problem. Crooks have been known to use their kids to do that kind of dirty work. Ethics and parenting are not a crook's longsuit.

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