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A garden storage shed is a lifesaver for every household. It offers extra storage space for items that might otherwise clutter up your home or garden. It is perfect for storing gardening tools and outdoor equipment, as there’s no point in getting them in and out of your house every time. It is also a great “hibernation” spot for seasonal items like Christmas and Halloween decorations.
That being said, those you have decided to store in a shed are still invaluable to you, or else they should have gone to the refills, right? Not to mention your tools and bikes, which must have cost you a fortune. That’s exactly why your garden shed is particularly vulnerable to theft and damage! Therefore, we have compiled a list of things that you need to know about keeping your shed safe.
Credit: Tiger Sheds
Ideally, you may want to choose a location in your garden that is difficult for burglars to access to set up your shed. However, a garden is not a closed environment. Break-ins could still happen unless the shed is really invisible to burglars. Thus, you should place the shed in a spot that is highly visible from your home. You should also make sure that the area surrounding your shed is well-lit so that it’s more difficult for burglars to break in.
Consider installing motion sensor lights to alert you when someone walks by. You will also find them useful at night! Moreover, put it in the back garden instead of the front garden. You wouldn’t want people to walk past your valuables every now and then.
Apart from the visibility of the shed itself, the window visibility is also of paramount importance in terms of your shed's security. Think about your wallet. You wouldn’t want to have a transparent wallet so that everyone could see what was inside. Therefore, if you’d like to store something that means a lot to you in the shed, consider obscuring the window by adding curtains or frosted windows. You know, just make it less tempting for burglars. If you are really worried about the window's security, you may choose a windowless option. No one can ever peek or break through the window!
Don’t forget that the online visibility of your shed matters too! Don’t post valuables from your shed online if you don’t want them to become targets. The easy accessibility of information on the Internet these days could be dangerous if you don’t manage your digital exposure properly.
Credit: Tiger Sheds
Moving from the outside to the inside, there are still quite a few things to consider to improve the security of your shed. The lock is undoubtedly the first layer of protection for your door. Tower bolts as well as hasp and staple locks are two popular choices, as simple screws easily fall prey to burglars. Hasp and staple locks, in particular, are recommended by experts because of their design - screw fittings covered by the hasp. In terms of the hinges, again, avoid the tempting simple screws and fix them securely with heavy-duty nuts and bolts. One more thing - when you are replacing them, do it in pairs! It saves you a little now, but may cost way more later! A shed security bar is also a good idea to enhance security. If you haven’t got one, you could consider installing one yourself or purchasing one with the feature!
Credit: Groundbolt
Your shed can be tipped over with ease if it is not secured to the ground. If the burglars have a deliberate plan, it could be as simple as nicking something from the table! Most sheds in the market can be secured to the ground using an anchoring kit. Fixing the shed to the ground will prevent burglars from lifting it up to enter.
Besides the shed itself, you will also need to think about the surroundings. Why not put in some effort to keep your whole garden secure? Although they might not seem like something that pays off immediately, they will definitely be worth it in the long term.
Getting a CCTV camera might just be a good idea for you. Like a scarecrow on a farm, the mere presence of a CCTV camera is already incriminating. Remember to install it high up so that the criminals won’t be able to reach and break it. CCTV cameras nowadays also allow instant, convenient access via your phone and computer. Records are very important if unfortunate things do happen, aren’t they? Depending on your budget, some people may prefer using a dummy CCTV camera to fool burglars. They do look deterring, however, it comes down to you to weigh the pros and cons.
Alarms can also be fitted to deter burglars. Combined with door triggers and motion sensors, they could be very handy to stop a break-in. Not only does the alarm promptly alert you to intruders’ existence with a screaming sound, but it also scares off the intruders before they have a chance to do anything!
Reinforcing the security of your garden is also essential. Get a few more things in, such as a lock on the gate, strategically planting some defensive plants, or fitting spikes on your fences, to boost security. Stop them before they get a chance to break in!
Finally, get insured to be assured. Check if your household insurance covers your shed. Insure your valuable items if needed as well. Always prepare for the worst, right?
