2025 Holiday Security Survey: Are Your Locks Holiday-Ready?

2025 Holiday Security Survey: Are Your Locks Holiday-Ready?

With the festive season fast approaching, millions of people across the UK are finalising travel plans, shopping for gifts, and preparing to spend time with loved ones. But amid the excitement, many homeowners are feeling uneasy about one critical issue: home safety and security during the holidays.

At CD Locksmiths, we recently conducted a security survey to better understand the concerns facing property owners over the holiday period. The results revealed a clear trend—worries about burglary, broken locks, and outdated security setups spike significantly during holiday season travel.

Whether you’re heading abroad or simply spending more time away visiting family, now is the time to ensure your home is properly protected.

What Our 2025 Holiday Security Survey Reveals

Our findings show that property-related concerns are at the forefront of many people’s minds this year. Here’s a breakdown of what we discovered:

• 70% of homeowners are worried about leaving their homes unattended during holidays
• 43% said they were unsure whether their locks were “fit for purpose.”
• 36% admitted they had not checked or serviced their door locks in over three years
• 1 in 4 respondents said they experienced a security issue during a previous holiday season

These numbers speak volumes about the importance of preventative measures and how a small investment in property security can protect what matters most.

Common Holiday Security Risks

Unattended Homes

Burglars tend to strike when homes are clearly vacant—and the holiday periods present the perfect opportunity. Indicators like darkened windows, overflowing letterboxes or a lack of movement can all attract attention.

One of the most effective ways to reduce this risk is to ensure your locks and entry points are robust and professionally fitted. At CD Locksmiths, we carry out full security surveys to assess potential vulnerabilities and recommend the most appropriate upgrades or repairs.

Outdated or Faulty Locks

Over time, locks can degrade, keys may become stiff or unreliable, and mechanisms may no longer offer adequate protection. Unfortunately, many people don’t realise this until it’s too late.

If your door is difficult to lock or feels loose on the latch, it may be time for a lock repair or door lock replacement. We service all types of residential and commercial locks, including uPVC and composite door mechanisms, ensuring a tight seal and secure lock every time.

Burglary Attempts

In the unfortunate event that your home is targeted, our burglary repair service ensures your property is quickly made safe again. We can replace damaged locks, reinforce doors, and recommend additional upgrades—such as anti-snap locks or key safes—to help prevent repeat incidents.

Practical Ways to Secure Your Property This Holiday

With more homes left empty over the summer months, it’s vital to take simple, effective measures to deter intruders and prevent break-ins. Here are some of the most practical ways we help homeowners and landlords improve their physical security before the holidays.

1. Book a Full Security Survey

Many people assume their locks are secure—until it’s too late. Our full security surveys are designed to give you total clarity over the condition and effectiveness of your property’s defences. We examine:

• The strength and condition of all external door locks
• Door alignment and fitting issues that could compromise your security
• Whether your locks meet British Standards and insurance requirements
• Signs of wear, tampering, or lock damage
• Lock type suitability for the property (e.g. mortice locks for timber doors vs euro cylinders for uPVC)

We provide you with honest recommendations and can carry out any necessary upgrades immediately if you choose to proceed.

Pro tip: Book a survey at least two weeks before you travel so there’s time to complete any follow-up work before you leave.

2. Upgrade to Anti-Snap or Fresh Fit Locks

Many homeowners still have outdated or vulnerable locks that are easy to bypass using common methods like lock snapping. We specialise in installing anti-snap euro cylinders, which are designed to resist forced entry and meet current insurance and security standards.

If you’ve recently moved, had keys go missing, or simply want a stronger layer of protection, we also offer fresh fit installations for a range of robust locking systems, including:

• 5-lever mortice locks
• Night latches
• Rim locks
• High-security padlocks

3. Check and Repair Door Handles or Mechanisms

It’s easy to overlook signs of wear and tear on your doors, especially if they still “just about” work. However, a handle that feels loose, a key that sticks, or a door that doesn’t shut smoothly are often signs that your locking mechanism is compromised.

We provide expert repairs and replacements for:

• uPVC door mechanisms
• Composite door locks
• Internal locking systems that have seized or failed
• Worn or faulty handles on domestic and commercial doors

Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your doors and help avoid complete failure at the worst possible time—like returning from a holiday to a jammed lock or a security breach.

4. Install a Secure Key Safe

Key safes are ideal if you’re planning to have someone check on your home while you’re away—or for landlords needing access for cleaners, tradespeople or guests over the holiday period.

We supply and install professional-grade, wall-mounted key safes that include:

• Heavy-duty metal casings
• Combination access codes (changeable)
• Secure fittings to exterior walls
• Weather-resistant coatings for outdoor use

We always ensure they are fixed securely to a suitable structure—never a loose fence panel or doorframe—and guide you on how to manage access safely.

Bonus tip: A well-placed key safe can also be a great backup for elderly relatives or carers throughout the year.

5. Emergency Door Entry and Lock Repairs (Holiday Cover)

Locks can fail at any time, and with increased comings and goings, many households experience unexpected issues—from keys snapping in locks to doors refusing to close properly.

We provide emergency locksmith call-outs throughout the year. Whether you’re locked out, dealing with damage after an attempted break-in, or need a rapid lock repair, we’re available to help you restore access and secure your property quickly.

We carry a wide range of replacement locks and parts on hand, ensuring that, in most cases, we can fix or replace what’s needed on the spot—saving you time, stress, and money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need new locks before going on holiday?

If your locks are more than 5–10 years old, show signs of wear, or haven’t been professionally checked in a while, a pre-holiday assessment is a smart move. It’s better to prevent a problem than respond to one after a break-in.

What is a full security survey?

This is a complete review of your property’s entry points—including doors, locks, and handle integrity. We identify weaknesses and recommend upgrades to make your home or business more secure.

Can CD Locksmiths help after a burglary?

Yes. We provide fast, reliable burglary repairs, including new locks, replacement parts, and door reinforcement.

Do you offer emergency locksmith services during the holidays?

Absolutely. Our emergency locksmith service is available throughout the year. Whether you’re locked out or facing a security issue, we’re here to help.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Leave Your Security to Chance

The holiday season should be about relaxation and celebration—not worrying about your locks or who has access to your property. With the insights from our Holiday Security Survey and our range of professional services, CD Locksmiths is here to help you stay safe, secure, and stress-free.

Whether you need a door lock replacement, emergency call-out, or a complete home security review, our experienced team is ready to assist.

Contact us today to book your pre-holiday security check or to speak to one of our locksmiths about upgrading your locks.