Going on holiday? 6 window and door checks before you leave

Summer is here, and you may be getting ready to go on holiday. Wherever your destination, we hope you have a great trip!

But while summer holidays are a time of excitement, they can also be a time of anxiety. And no, we're not talking about the risk of staying in a duff hotel. We're talking about the very real concerns that surround home security.

Home security is, of course, a year-round concern. However, if you're leaving your property unattended for a week or more, you'll need to take extra steps to make sure your house is secure.

There are several ways to help keep your home safe when you go away. You can create the illusion that you're still there. You can make sure your valuables are hidden from sight. But above all else, you need to make sure your windows and doors are fully secured.

"Simple enough", you might say. "Just lock them and be done with it." But in the heat of a summer getaway, it can be helpful to follow a checklist to ensure no security stone is unturned.

With that in mind, here are six essential window and door checks you should make before going away on holiday. Here's to a sunny and secure break!

Essential holiday security checks

1. Close, lock and double-check all windows and doors

This is the big one. Make sure that every window and door in your property is locked. Then double-check. You'd be surprised what you can miss in a hurry.

2. Check outbuildings

If you have a garden, repeat step one for garden gates, sheds and garages. While you're at it, make sure no tools like ladders are left near these doors or windows. In the wrong hands, they could become accessories for a break-in.

3. Keep keys well out of sight

Have you locked and checked all doors and windows, inside and out? Good. Now, make sure keys are removed and put completely out of sight.

4. Check balconies and patios

Do you have balcony doors or patio doors? Make sure they're fully secured. If you want to go that extra mile, you could consider fitting secondary locks or security bars.

5. Keep your home contents hidden

Windows and doors are there to keep intruders out. But if your valuables are on show, you may be inviting them in. Before leaving your home for the holiday, make sure they're well out of view.

6. The final sweep

You're nearly done. But before you say goodbye for your summer break, take 10 minutes or so to carry out a room-by-room sweep of the property. Are you confident you can tick steps one to five off your list? Great – your holiday awaits.

Door and window checks for pet owners

If you have pets, there are a few more things to take into account – especially if you've booked a pet sitter.

Doors and windows should be locked so they don't act as escape routes. There should also be clear guidelines in place about locking doors and windows and which rooms are on- and off-limits.

As with our six door and window checks, this may seem like common sense. But when you're busy getting ready for a getaway, it's easy to make mistakes.

Your pet sitter should know which windows and doors need to be checked on arrival and departure, including any in the garden.

You should decide what to do about any cat flap or dog door. Should it be locked overnight or when the sitter isn't there? This will depend on where your pet is allowed to go.

Make sure to leave instructions about security alarms. Your pet sitter should know how to arm and disarm alarms. The more complex the system, the more detailed the instructions should be.

Finally, you should make it clear whether the sitter can have guests. If they can, there should be reminders about locking doors and windows to ensure a guest doesn't accidentally let the animal out.

As well as laying out guidelines, you can carry out simple tasks before leaving, such as locking off-limit areas and securing ground-floor windows.

Other ways to keep your home safe when you go on holiday

Checking doors and windows is perhaps the most important thing you can do to keep your home safe when on holiday. But there are some other steps you can take for your peace of mind.

First, you can fit a "letterbox restrictor". This stops would-be burglars from fishing for keys through the letterbox.

Secondly, you can create the illusion that you're still at home. You can do this by setting lights to a timer and asking a friend or neighbour to take out the bins and collect your post.

Thirdly and relatedly, you can cancel your post or postpone deliveries so that it doesn't visibly build up.

Finally, you can be thoughtful about who you tell about your holiday. If posting on social media, consider locking your account so strangers won't know you're out of town. And rather than telling everyone about your plans, only tell people you trust.

What makes a door or window secure?

Whether you're away on holiday or not, doors and windows are essential security features of any home. But the fact is that some doors are more secure than others.

When buying doors and windows for your home, you should prioritise buying modern products with:

Strong uPVC, aluminium or composite frames
Multi-point locking systems
Impact-resistant glass

The quality of the installation matters, too. A shoddy installation puts your home at risk – so make sure you work with the best.

Highly secure doors and windows from Calder Windows

Calder Windows has supplied high-quality windows and doors in Wakefield and across West Yorkshire for more than 30 years.

Our products come with advanced security features, such as multi-point locking systems and Yale euro cylinder locks, so you can have confidence in their safety.

Looking for home improvement support or security advice? Don't hesitate to book an appointment with our friendly experts.

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