Introduction

Going on holiday should be about relaxing, not worrying whether your home is secure. Spending just a few minutes checking your doors, locks and windows before you leave can significantly reduce the risk of problems while you're away.

Many burglaries are opportunistic. If a property looks empty or has obvious security weaknesses, it can become a more attractive target. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple steps you can take to improve your home's security and enjoy your holiday with complete peace of mind.

Check Every Door and Window

Before leaving, make sure every external door and window closes, locks and operates correctly.

Don't just check the front door—inspect:

• Front door.
• Back door.
• Patio doors.
• French doors.
• Conservatory doors.
• Side entrances.
• Garage personnel doors.
• Ground-floor windows.

If a lock is stiff or a door has become difficult to lock, don't ignore it. A minor problem today could become a complete lock failure while you're away.

Upgrade Older Locks

If your uPVC or composite doors still have older standard euro cylinders, consider upgrading them before your holiday.

Modern anti-snap cylinders provide protection against:

• Lock snapping.
• Lock drilling.
• Lock picking.
• Lock bumping.

It's one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve your home's security.

Make Sure Your Doors Lock Properly

A surprising number of doors aren't fully secured because the locking points aren't engaged.

Many multipoint locking systems require:

• The handle to be lifted fully.
• The key to be turned completely.
• Every hook, roller or deadbolt to engage.

Simply pulling the door closed does not usually secure it properly.

Before leaving, test every external door to make sure it locks exactly as intended.

Check Door Alignment

If you need to:

• Push the door.
• Pull the door.
• Lift the handle excessively.
• Force the key.

the door may be out of alignment.

Poor alignment places unnecessary strain on the locking mechanism and increases the risk of failure.

Having the door adjusted before you travel can help avoid problems while you're away and prolong the life of the locking system.

Don't Forget Timber Doors

If your property has timber entrance doors, check that the locks operate smoothly.

Many timber doors are fitted with BS3621 mortice locks, which are recognised by many insurers for external doors.

If your door forms the main escape route from your home, it may instead be fitted with a BS8621 mortice lock, allowing occupants to unlock the door from the inside without using a key.

Whichever lock you have, ensure it operates correctly before leaving.

Don't Advertise Your Holiday

One of the biggest security mistakes people make is announcing their holiday before or during the trip.

Avoid:

• Posting departure dates.
• Sharing airport photos.
• Uploading holiday pictures in real time.
• Telling everyone your house is empty.

It's usually safer to share your holiday photos once you're home.

Use Timer Switches

A completely dark house every evening can quickly suggest nobody is home.

Timer switches can be used to operate:

• Lamps.
• Hallway lights.
• Living room lights.

Changing lighting patterns helps create the impression that someone is still occupying the property.

Ask Someone to Keep an Eye on Things

A trusted neighbour, friend or family member can make a huge difference.

They can:

• Remove post.
• Open and close curtains.
• Move bins.
• Park on the driveway occasionally.
• Check for obvious problems.
• Report anything unusual.

A property that appears occupied is usually much less attractive to opportunist burglars.

Secure Spare Keys

Before leaving, make sure there are no spare keys hidden outside.

Avoid leaving keys:

• Under plant pots.
• Beneath doormats.
• Inside fake rocks.
• Above door frames.
• In meter boxes.

These are among the first places an intruder is likely to check.

Don't Leave Valuables on Display

Take a quick walk around your home before leaving.

Move valuable items away from windows, including:

• Laptops.
• Tablets.
• Jewellery.
• Vehicle keys.
• Wallets.
• Handbags.

Keeping valuables out of sight reduces temptation.

Use Visible Security

Visible security measures often act as an effective deterrent.

Examples include:

• CCTV cameras.
• Video doorbells.
• Motion-activated lighting.
• Alarm systems.
• TS007 security handles.
• Anti-snap locks.

The more difficult your property appears to enter, the more likely an opportunist burglar is to move elsewhere.

Check Garages and Outbuildings

Don't forget to secure:

• Garages.
• Garden offices.
• Workshops.
• Sheds.
• Side gates.

These buildings often contain expensive tools that could be stolen or even used to gain entry to the main house.

Long-Term Home Security

Preparing for a holiday is also a good opportunity to inspect your home's overall security.

Ask yourself:

• Are the locks modern and secure?
• Is every door correctly aligned?
• Are the handles in good condition?
• Do all windows lock properly?
• Are any locks becoming stiff?
• Does every external door fully engage all its locking points?

Addressing small issues before you leave can prevent unexpected problems later.

Conclusion

A few simple checks before you go on holiday can make a significant difference to your home's security. Ensuring every door and window locks properly, upgrading older cylinders, checking door alignment, using timer switches and asking someone to keep an eye on the property all help reduce the risk of opportunist burglary. Whether your home has uPVC, composite or timber doors fitted with BS3621 or BS8621 locks, making sure everything is working correctly before you leave provides valuable peace of mind. With a little preparation, you can relax and enjoy your holiday knowing you've done everything possible to keep your home safe while you're away.