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The Ultimate Home Security Checklist: Protect Your Home in 2026
The Ultimate Home Security Checklist: Protect Your Home in 2026
📌 60-Second Security Audit
- The Weakest Link: In 70% of burglaries, intruders enter through a door. Is your cylinder snap-safe?
- Smart Tech: New “Kubu” sensors can alert your phone if you leave a window unlocked.
- Visual Deterrents: Burglars hate light and noise. Visible alarms and motion sensors are your first line of defence.
Your home is your sanctuary, but how secure is it really? Burglary statistics show that most break-ins are opportunistic. Thieves look for the easy option: the open window, the hidden key, or the weak door lock.
At KJM Group, we believe security isn’t just about strong locks (though they are essential); it’s about a holistic approach to protecting your property in Hampshire and beyond. Use this ultimate checklist to audit your home security today.
1. The KJM 10-Point Perimeter Check
Before you spend a penny on new alarms, walk around your property and check these basics. According to Police.uk, these simple measures significantly reduce risk.
| Zone | Security Checkpoint | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| The Frontline | Front Door Lock | Is it a 3-Star Ultion Cylinder meeting PAS 24 standards? |
| The Frontline | Letterbox | Is it fitted with a cowl to prevent “key fishing”? |
| The Perimeter | Side Gates | Are they locked with a heavy-duty bolt? Can someone reach over? |
| The Perimeter | Fences | Are they in good repair? Trellis on top adds noisy height. |
| Habits | Keys | NEVER hide a key under a mat. It is the first place they look. |
| Habits | Valuables | Are laptops visible through ground-floor windows at night? |
2. Hardware: Locks & Cylinders
The lock is the heart of your door’s security. Unfortunately, millions of UK homes still have basic “Euro Cylinders” that can be snapped in under 10 seconds using simple tools.
⚠️ Is your lock “Snap-Safe”?
Go to your front door. Does the metal cylinder stick out more than 2-3mm from the handle? If so, it is vulnerable to lock snapping. Upgrading to a 3-Star Diamond rated cylinder (like the Ultion locks we install) effectively eliminates this risk.
3. The Smart Revolution: Kubu Tech
Forgetting to lock the door is a human error that no mechanical lock can fix. This is where Kubu comes in.
Kubu is a smart sensor system that can be integrated directly into the frames of your new windows and doors. It doesn’t rely on a motor to lock the door; instead, it monitors the status of the lock.
💡 KJM Pro Tip
With the Kubu app, you can check the status of every window and door in your house from anywhere in the world. You can even set a “Geo-Fence” alert that pings your phone: “You have left home, but the back door is unlocked!”
4. Going Away? The Holiday Protocol
An empty house is a target. If you are heading off for a winter break or summer holiday, don’t advertise your absence.
- Social Media Silence: Don’t post photos of you at the airport until you get back. You are broadcasting “Empty House!” to the world.
- Smart Plugs: Use cheap smart plugs or timers to turn lamps on and off at random intervals in the evening.
- The “Post” Pile-Up: Ask a trusted neighbour to push post through properly so it doesn’t pile up on the mat, visible through the glass.
📚 Further Reading:
- Front Doors: The 5 Best Security Features for New Doors
- Standards: What is PAS 24 & Secured by Design?
- Products: Explore our Secure Composite Door Range
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. According to police data and interviews with former burglars, a visible alarm box is a significant deterrent. Even if it is a “dummy” box (though we recommend a real one), it introduces doubt and risk for the intruder.
A solid-core Composite Door is generally considered the gold standard for residential security. Its dense timber core, combined with a GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) skin and multi-point locking system, makes it incredibly resistant to brute force attacks.
Laminated glass has a plastic interlayer that holds the glass together even when shattered (like a car windscreen). This makes it very difficult to smash through. It is a requirement for Secured by Design doors and is highly recommended for vulnerable ground-floor windows.
Secure Your Home Today: Don’t leave security to chance. Contact KJM for a free survey of your windows and doors to ensure they meet the latest PAS 24 security standards.
Mark Pearce is a highly experienced specialist in the double glazing industry, having built his knowledge from the ground up through hands-on experience in installation, manufacturing, sales, and business management. Beyond his role at KJM, Mark is a keen blogger, writer, and traveller, often sharing insights on the latest innovations in the home improvement industry.
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