New Year, New Locks: The January Home Security Audit
January is the perfect time to check your home security. Here is a 30-minute audit that covers every door, window, and lock — with costs for anything that needs upgrading.
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07735 336175Start 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.
I have designed this walk-around audit based on the most common problems I find when I visit homes across Coventry. Grab a pen and paper (or your phone), and work through each section. At the end, you will have a clear picture of where your home security stands — and a prioritised list of what to fix.
Section 1: Front Door (Score out of 5)
Your front door is the first thing a burglar assesses. Stand outside and look at it critically.
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 (the round lock barrel where the key goes in). Is it flush with the handle or door furniture? Or does it protrude beyond it? A cylinder that sticks out more than 3mm is vulnerable to lock snapping — the most common break-in method in the UK.
Is the cylinder an anti-snap type? If you are not sure, it probably is not. Standard euro cylinders can be snapped open in under 30 seconds. An [anti-snap upgrade](/services/lock-upgrade) starts from £89 fitted.
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)
Back doors are the most common entry point for burglars in Coventry. Walk around to the back and give it the same treatment.
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 small additional locks fitted to uPVC windows that prevent them being forced open from the outside. If you have them, check they work. If you do not have them on ground floor windows, consider fitting them — they cost under £10 each and add a genuine extra layer of security.
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
Is the main garage door locked with a proper lock (not just a flimsy handle)? Up-and-over garage doors are notoriously easy to break into. Defender locks, garage door bolts, and ground anchors all help.
Internal Connecting Door
If your garage connects to the house via an internal door, this is a critical vulnerability. A burglar who gets into the garage has unlimited time and privacy to work on the internal door. Make sure it has a proper [deadlock](/services/lock-change) — not just a latch — and that it is locked at all times.
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 battery-powered). A sensor light covering the front door and another covering the back garden are minimum requirements.
Replace Bulbs
Dead bulbs are useless. Check and replace any that have failed. LED sensor lights last years and cost pennies to run.
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](/services/lock-change).
Consider a Key Safe
If you do not have a key safe, January is a great time to fit one. It provides secure access for emergencies, trusted visitors, and means you will never face a [lockout](/services/emergency-lockout) again. I fit them from around £50.
Scoring
Your Total Score (Out of 25)
Add up your scores from all seven sections:
Your New Year Resolution: Upgrade One Thing
You do not need to fix everything at once. Pick the single lowest-scoring area and fix that first. For most Coventry homes, the best single upgrade is an [anti-snap cylinder on the front door](/services/lock-upgrade) — it addresses the most common burglary technique and costs from £89 fitted.
Here is a priority order for upgrades:
If you want a professional to do this walk-around with you, or you want me to fix the issues we find on the same visit, call me on 07735 336175. I cover all of Coventry and Warwickshire — check my [areas page](/areas/) for full details.
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.
What is the single most impactful security upgrade for a Coventry home?
For most homes in Coventry, upgrading the front door euro cylinder to an anti-snap version is the single best thing you can do. Lock snapping is the most common burglary technique in the UK, and standard euro cylinders can be snapped in under 30 seconds. An anti-snap cylinder resists this attack completely. I fit them from £89 and it takes about 20 minutes. If you can only do one thing, do this.
How much would it cost to fix everything in the security audit?
It depends on what needs doing, but for a typical Coventry home: anti-snap cylinders for front and back doors (around £150-200 for both), a few window handle replacements (£15-20 each), a key safe (from £50 fitted), and a decent shed padlock (under £30). Most homes can get from "needs attention" to "excellent" for under £350 total. I can give you an exact quote based on your specific audit results — call me on 07735 336175.
Can I do the security audit myself or do I need a locksmith?
You can absolutely do it yourself using the guide above — that is exactly why I wrote it. Walk around with a pen and paper, test everything, and score yourself honestly. The advantage of having a locksmith do it with you is that I can identify issues you might miss (like a cylinder that looks fine but is actually vulnerable to snapping), and I can fix most problems on the same visit so you only pay for one callout.
About the Author
I'm Ross, a local independent locksmith covering Coventry, Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington Spa, Warwick, and all surrounding areas. I've been working as a locksmith in the Coventry area for years and I've seen every type of lock problem there is. If you need a locksmith, call me on 07735 336175 — I'm available 24/7.