Your holiday time home security check list

Before you sail off or fly overseas for your well-earned summer holidays, it’s a good idea to take steps to secure your home, so that you have peace of mind and the relaxing holiday you deserve. These days, it’s important that you check the locks on all your doors, especially if you have UPVC, composite, or aluminium doors in your property.

It’s hard to believe, but almost 90% of UK homes still have doors that contain euro cylinders.  This makes them vulnerable because forced lock entries as still the most preferred method of entry for burglars. Doors like UPVC and some composite and aluminium doors feature these euro cylinders. The method a thief uses, known as lock snapping, simply means breaking the cylinder so that he can manipulate the lock. Even multi locks are operated by this weak and vulnerable euro cylinder that thieves find so easy to snap. If your home is fitted with any of these types of door, then your home security is at risk from lock snapping, so this is the first thing you need to check on your list.

Lock snapping is the reason why the Master Locksmiths Association advises everyone to remove the euro cylinders from all of their doors and to replace them by fitting new anti-snap cylinders and locks that prevent snapping. To minimise this security risk to your home, the solution is simple; employ the services of a professional locksmith like who also supply the new diamond approved anti snap locks you need for your doors, before you go on holiday.

Of course, you could fit your new locks yourself, but for insurance purposes, that’s not the best idea. A good locksmith will make sure you have the correct type of anti-snap lock, and size, and they only take 10 minutes to fit one!

Your holiday time home security checklist should also include fitting timers to lamps and perhaps even a radio to play at certain times when you’re away. Keep curtains open and remember to cancel milk and newspaper deliveries. Royal Mail has a service called Keepsafe which can keep your mail for up to two months for you. It’s worth fitting a letter box cage to prevent unwanted hands from reaching your latches. Finally, lock up outside gates, sheds and garages to prevent thieves getting their hands on tools and ladders.

To find out more about having anti-snap locks fitted in your home, please visit the Anti-Snap Locks website.