Aspe’s fiestas in honour of the Virgen de las Nieves run from 3 to 21 August. In even years they begin with the Traída, when the image is brought from Hondón de las Nieves under an agreement between the two towns that goes back to 1418, and the Moros y Cristianos parades fill the second week. It is a time when many households are out from morning until late, or away altogether.
None of this makes Aspe unsafe. But a house left empty for long hours is a house where a weak door matters more. Here is a short routine for before you go out, or away.
The front door
- Lock it with the key, not just the latch. A door that is only pulled shut can often be slipped. Turning the key throws the bolt.
- Check that the cylinder does not stand proud. If it sticks out more than a few millimetres beyond the door or its plate, it can be gripped and snapped. That is worth fixing before August, not after.
- Take the key out of the inside. Some locks will not open from outside with a key left in the inside, which makes life hard for anyone helping you in an emergency.
Windows, balconies and back doors
Ground-floor windows and back doors onto yards are the usual way in for anyone who finds the front door too much work. Close them, and lock any that have locks.
Keys
- Do not leave a key under a mat or a pot. Everyone looks there.
- If a neighbour is keeping an eye on the house, give them a key directly, and know who else has one.
- If you have lost track of how many keys exist, change the cylinder before you go.
When you come back
Look at the lock before you put the key in. Fresh bright scratches round the keyway, a cylinder that has moved or a key that suddenly feels different are worth a closer look: the guide on signs someone has tried your lock explains what each one can mean.
If you are heading off to an inherited family house instead of staying in town, the guide on an inherited house with no keys may be more useful.