New Year, New Locks: The January Home Security Audit
Use a structured home-security audit to record doors, windows and locks, then prioritise any item that needs property-specific advice.
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024 7522 4730Start the New Year With a 30-Minute Security Audit
January is the perfect time to take a proper look at your home security. The Christmas rush is over, the decorations are coming down, and you are in that "new year, fresh start" mindset. So before you sign up for a gym membership you will not use, spend 30 minutes doing something that will actually make a difference: a room-by-room home security audit.
This walk-around audit covers recurring door, window, key and lighting checks. It is a screening tool, not a measured ranking of Coventry burglary methods or a guarantee that a property is secure.
Section 1: Front Door (Score out of 5)
Start at the front door and look at it critically as part of the whole property assessment.
Test the Deadlock
Lock and unlock the door. Does the deadbolt (the square bolt operated by the key) engage and retract smoothly? If it is stiff, sticking, or does not throw fully, the lock needs attention. A deadbolt that only throws halfway is barely better than no deadbolt at all.
If your front door is uPVC or composite, lift the handle and turn the key. You should feel multiple bolts engage (top, bottom, and centre). If only the centre latch engages, the multi-point mechanism may be faulty.
Check the Cylinder Condition
Look at the euro cylinder where the key enters. Is it correctly sized for the handle and door furniture, or does it protrude? Excess projection can increase exposure to attack, but the actual risk depends on the complete door hardware.
Do not infer anti-snap certification from appearance alone. Record the exact model and check a current certification catalogue. Certified anti-snap upgrades start from £59 and improve resistance to tested attacks without eliminating risk.
Test the Handle
Does the handle feel solid? Or is it wobbly, loose, or difficult to operate? A worn handle can prevent the multi-point lock from engaging fully.
Scoring
Section 2: Back Door (Score out of 5)
Give the back door the same inspection. This audit does not hold a retained Coventry dataset that establishes one universal entry point.
Test All Locks
Lock and unlock the back door fully. If it is a uPVC/composite door, does it lift-and-lock? If it is an older wooden door, does it have both a latch and a separate deadlock?
Check Frame Condition
Look at the door frame, especially around the lock keep (the metal plate the bolt goes into). Is the frame solid? Is there any sign of rot, warping, or previous damage? A strong lock in a weak frame is like a steel door in a cardboard wall.
Push against the door when it is locked. Is there any flex or movement? There should not be.
Scoring
Section 3: Windows (Score out of 5)
Go room by room and test every window lock. Yes, every single one.
Test All Locks Room by Room
Open and close each window. Does the handle lock securely in the closed position? uPVC window handles should click firmly into the locked position. If the handle is floppy, loose, or does not engage the locking pin, it needs replacing.
Check Sash Jammers
Sash jammers are additional devices used on some uPVC windows. If fitted, check their operation against the exact product instructions. If considering them, assess the complete window, compatibility, installation and current test evidence; retail price alone does not establish resistance or suitability.
Scoring
Section 4: Garage (Score out of 3)
If you have a garage, it needs checking — especially if there is a connecting door into the house.
Check Garage Door Security
Record the main garage door type, every fitted locking point and any visible looseness or damage. An up-and-over design alone does not establish its resistance. Any defender lock, garage bolt or ground anchor must be checked for compatibility with the actual door, frame, floor and current product instructions before it is treated as an upgrade option.
Internal Connecting Door
If the garage connects to the house, inspect that internal door as a separate doorset rather than assuming the garage door protects it. Record the door, frame, hinges, closer where fitted and existing lock, then check any fire-safety, insurer or property-management requirement before specifying a lock repair or replacement.
Scoring
Section 5: Shed and Outbuildings (Score out of 3)
Check Hasp and Padlock
A cheap padlock on a weak hasp is not security — it is the illusion of security. Check that the hasp (the metal plate) is bolted through the door and frame with coach bolts (not screws that can be unscrewed from outside). The padlock should be a closed-shackle type that resists bolt cutters.
Contents
Are there tools in the shed that could be used to break into the house? Crowbars, hammers, ladders, and heavy garden tools are all potential burglar equipment. If you cannot move them inside, make sure the shed security is robust.
Scoring
Section 6: Lighting (Score out of 2)
Check Sensor Lights
Do your external motion-sensor lights work? Test them by walking past. Check bulbs, sensor alignment, and battery condition if applicable. Suitable coverage depends on the property, neighbours, access routes and any electrical constraints.
Replace Bulbs
Check and replace failed bulbs where it is safe and appropriate to do so. Rated life and running cost depend on the exact product, usage, installation and energy tariff.
Scoring
Section 7: Keys (Score out of 2)
Account for All Copies
Do you know where every copy of your house keys is? Who has them? Are there copies with people who should no longer have access (previous cleaners, ex-partners, old neighbours)?
If you cannot account for all copies, consider a lock change.
Consider a Key Safe
If you are considering a key safe, assess the exact product, installation, position and code management. It may provide a backup route for authorised people, but cannot guarantee access, prevent every lockout or eliminate security risk.
Scoring
Your Total Score (Out of 25)
Add up your scores from all seven sections. The result is a maintenance prompt, not a security certification or prediction of burglary risk:
Your New Year Resolution: Upgrade One Thing
You do not need to fix everything at once. Start with any door or window that does not lock correctly, then assess protruding or unverified cylinders and other access points. Where suitable, a certified anti-snap cylinder starts from £59 and improves resistance to tested attacks; it is not automatically the best first step for every property.
Use this property-led order for further assessment:
Published starting prices include euro-cylinder replacement from £59, BS3621-rated lock change from £79 and window-lock repair from £49. Other products or scopes require an itemised quote; see prices.
For a professional assessment or quote for identified locksmith work, call 024 7522 4730. Check the locations listed on the areas page and provide the full postcode to confirm the exact address, current availability and ETA. Completion in one visit depends on the diagnosed scope and compatible-part availability.
Start the new year secure. It is 30 minutes well spent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I do a home security audit?
Once a year is a good minimum — January is an ideal time because it gives you a clear action plan for the year ahead. You should also do a quick check before any extended absence (holidays, work trips) and after any break-in attempt on your street. Locks, handles, and window mechanisms wear over time, so what was fine last year may not be fine this year.
Which security issue should I fix first?
Fix any external door or window that does not lock correctly first. After that, prioritise from the actual property assessment: key control, cylinder fit and certification, frame condition, other access routes and lighting. A certified anti-snap cylinder starts from £59 and can improve resistance to tested attacks, but it does not completely resist every attack or suit every door.
How much would it cost to fix everything in the security audit?
It depends on the number and type of defects, door dimensions, mechanism condition and exact products selected. The score does not define a universal package or budget. Use the [prices page](/prices) for published starting prices and obtain an itemised quote for the work identified at your property.
Can I do the security audit myself or do I need a locksmith?
You can use the guide above for an initial walk-around, record what you can inspect safely and avoid dismantling locks. A locksmith can assess details that are not established by appearance alone, such as cylinder dimensions, markings and door alignment. Any repair is diagnosed and quoted separately; product availability, access and the number of identified defects determine whether another visit is needed.
I'm Albert, the independent locksmith behind Local Emergency Locksmith. These guides separate cited standards and public guidance from the checks that can only be made at the actual door. If you need a locksmith in one of the listed coverage locations, call me on 024 7522 4730 — I'm available 24/7.
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