Sheds are a fantastic way to store your bikes, lawnmowers, garden tools and so much more from the elements and to keep them safe, but when you're storing goods that may be either valuable or dangerous like sharp garden shears it is important to keep your shed secure.
TOP TIP: The Thief's Eyes
Imagine you're a thief and look at your shed through their eyes. Do you see any weaknesses? If you had to break into the shed within 60 seconds, how would do it? Start there and fix any weaknesses that you can see.
Whether its a small child looking for something sharp to play with or someone trying to steal your lawnmower or trailer while you're on holidays it certainly pays to have a secure shed to give you peace of mind.
How Do Intruders Typically Gain Access to Garden Sheds?
Typically, intruders gain access to garden sheds by
- picking locks,
- cutting padlocks, and
- unscrewing hinges. They may also use tools like
- crowbars or screwdrivers to break in, as well as
- brute force by simply banging on the shed door until it opens.
- breaking a window
Typically, intruders gain access to garden sheds by picking locks, cutting padlocks, and unscrewing hinges. They may also use tools like crowbars or screwdrivers to break in, as well as brute force by simply banging on the shed door until it opens.
Additionally, if your shed has windows that are unprotected or even just partially protected with weak materials such as plywood, they can easily be broken and used for entry.
Some Ideas to Improve the Security of Your Shed
- a sturdy lock that is difficult to pick,
- deadbolts that require keys inside and outside of the shed for entry and
- closing off any potential window access with strong materials such as metal grating,
- consider the location of your shed - is it out of sight, if that is possible in your situation?
- obscure the windows to make it difficult for people to see what is in your shed,
- regularly check the condition of your shed, making sure no loose boards or latches can be used to gain entry,
- a motion activated light,
- a security camera system.
To prevent these occurrences from happening to you, consider adding additional security measures like a sturdy lock that is difficult to pick, deadbolts that require keys inside and outside of the shed for entry and closing off any potential window access with strong materials such as metal grating.
Also keep in mind to regularly check the condition of your shed, making sure no loose boards or latches can be used to gain entry. With these measures in place, you should have peace of mind knowing your garden shed is fully secure.
For additional security measures, consider investing in a motion activated light that will alert you if someone is near and a security camera system for recording any activity around your shed at all times. These measures can help protect against potential break-ins in addition to providing valuable evidence if something does happen.
Finally, remember it’s always important to keep valuables out of sight. This will decrease the likelihood of an intruder wanting to attempt entering your shed in the first place.
For additional tips see this guide from the Met Police.
These Items Are Most Commonly Stolen from Garden Sheds
- Bikes,
- lawn mowers,
- Sports equipment,
- Power tools,
- Garden tools.
Tops Tips to Keep Your Possessions Safe
Lock Everything Away Securely
1. Tools can be locked inside a locker or box or secured with a chain.
2. Secure your bike or lawnmower to the ground or a lockable stand within a locked shed or garage.
3. use an old sheet to cover shiny new bikes, lawnmowers and power tools - to keep them covered from view.
4. make sure that you lock it up when you're not there,
5. properly marking your items can be very helpful in the event that they ever do get stolen, and will make recovery much more likely.
Which Types of Sheds Are Considered To Be The Most Secure?
Metal sheds are considered to be the most secure because the material is much stronger and harder to bend, break or pry away to gain access.
If Anything Does Get Stolen From Your Garden How Do I Recover Those Goods?
The best thing to do is to contact your local police department so that they can file a report and then update you accordingly.
Approximately 25% of all stolen goods are recovered, so there is always a chance that your goods will be recovered if they are stolen.
SUMMARY
Thanks for reading. We hope that this guide has given you some useful tips that will help you to make your shed and your valuable possessions more secure.