Away For The Summer? Make Sure You’re Locked Up Properly!

The bags are packed, the passports are found (eventually), and the out-of-office is set. But before you head off for a well-earned summer break, there's one thing that deserves more than a last-minute once-over: making sure your home is properly secured while you're away. Burglaries increase during the summer months. It's no coincidence,  homes sit empty for longer, and the usual rhythms of daily life that act as a natural deterrent simply disappear. A little preparation before you leave can make all the difference. Here's what to check before you lock the door behind you:   1. Your Front Door Is Your First Line of Defence It's worth being honest: if your front door is old, warped, or doesn't sit properly in its frame, no amount of checking the lock is going to give you real peace of mind. Timber doors swell and warp with the seasons, which can affect how securely they close and a door that doesn't sit flush in its frame is a much easier target. Modern PVCu composite doors solve this entirely. Unlike timber, they won't rot, warp, or stick no matter what the Scottish weather throws at them, and they're built with security at their core: multi-point locking mechanisms and insurance-approved cylinder locks as standard. If your current door has seen better days, the summer holiday season is a good prompt to think about replacing it, not just for security, but for energy efficiency and kerb appeal too. Our composite doors carry an A+ energy rating and come with triple glazing as standard, so you're not just more secure, you're better insulated. Browse our full door range here   2. Think About What Your Door Faces The right door for a busy street-facing entrance isn't necessarily the right door for a quiet back garden and security plays into that. Full-panel composite doors are ideal for entrances that open directly onto pavements or shared access areas, offering maximum privacy and a solid, substantial barrier. For side or rear doors opening onto more secluded areas, a semi-glazed style lets in natural light while still providing excellent security. For more open rear access, styles with generous glazing work well without compromising on the locking and frame integrity that matters most. Getting the right door for the right entrance is something we're happy to advise on, it's not one-size-fits-all.   3. Check Every Lock Before You Leave Even with a great door, it pays to do a proper walkthrough before your holiday. Physically test: Front, back, and side doors make sure deadbolts are engaged, not just the latch Patio and bi-fold doors check anti-lift bolts or security bars are in place Ground-floor windows even a small gap is a risk over a longer absence The garage often forgotten, and frequently connected directly to the house If any lock feels worn, stiff, or unreliable, get it looked at before you travel.   4. Don't Advertise That You're Away A secure door and good locks matter a lot less if it's obvious no one's home. A few simple steps: Avoid posting holiday photos until you're back home and ask a neighbour to keep an eye on things, take in deliveries, and park on your drive occasionally.   5. Consider Whether Your Door Is Due an Upgrade A holiday is often when people realise they've been putting off home improvements they've been meaning to tackle. If your front or back door has been on the list, now's a good time to act  not only will a new composite door make your home more secure, it'll also mean you leave with genuine confidence rather than a nagging worry. Our range includes everything from sleek contemporary designs in the Silk and Modo collections, to the glass-fronted elegance of the Coloro range, all with the same core security and energy performance built in. You can even try out our online door designer to explore styles, colours, and glazing options before booking a consultation. Try our door designer tool & build your dream door   Leave With Confidence A break-in isn't just a financial inconvenience, it's an unsettling experience that can affect your sense of security at home long after the event. Whether it's a quick pre-holiday lock check or a longer-overdue door replacement, taking the time now is always worth it. If you'd like to talk through your options, our team at Cairngorm Group is here to help. We cover Inverness, Thurso, Elgin, and the wider Highlands and can arrange a consultation at a time that suits you. Get in touch before you head off 01463 238 000 or book an appointment online.