Spring: Post-Winter Security Check
After winter, check all external door and window locks for stiffness or corrosion. Cold and damp weather can cause mechanisms to seize. Lubricate all locks with WD-40 to keep mechanisms moving freely. Check that garden gates and shed locks are secure — garden equipment theft peaks in spring. Trim back hedges that may have grown over winter and now obscure windows or doors, as burglars use overgrown foliage as cover.
Summer: Holiday Season Security
Summer brings longer days but also the holiday burglary spike. Before going away, use timer switches on lights and radios. Ask a neighbour to collect post and move bins. Don't advertise your holiday on social media. Make sure all windows have functioning locks — open windows are the number one entry point for summer burglars. Consider installing window restrictors that allow ventilation while keeping the window secure.
Autumn: Clocks Go Back Preparation
When the clocks go back, homes are in darkness by 5pm. This is prime time for opportunist burglars. Install motion-sensor lighting on your front and back doors. Check that your porch light works. Review your door locks — now is a good time to upgrade to anti-snap cylinders before the dark evenings set in. Make sure your letterbox has a cage or cover to prevent fishing attacks (thieves using tools through the letterbox to hook keys or handles).
Winter: Cold Weather and Christmas
Cold weather can cause locks to freeze or stiffen. If a lock feels stiff, a spray of WD-40 or a silicone-based lubricant can help free it up — avoid forcing the key as this can snap it inside. Be extra cautious about parcel theft — visible delivery boxes outside tell thieves you have new items inside. Check that your back door is secure, as many winter burglaries happen through rear entry points while the family is in the front room. Consider a security review before the Christmas period.
Year-Round: Essential Security Habits
Lock up every time you leave, even for short trips. Double-lock your door (lift the handle and turn the key) if you have a multipoint lock. Never leave keys in the lock or on a hook visible through the letterbox. Keep your phone charged in case of emergency lockouts. Have a trusted locksmith's number saved in your phone — you don't want to be searching for one in an emergency. At RS Lock & Safe, we recommend saving our number: 07946 031981.
When to Call a Professional
If any lock feels stiff, loose, or unreliable, get it looked at before it fails. If you've recently moved house, change the locks — you don't know how many copies of the old keys exist. If you've had a break-in or attempted break-in, get your locks replaced and consider a full security assessment. Most security upgrades are straightforward and can be completed in a single visit.