When we think of home security, we automatically think about our bricks and mortar as well as our contents and valuables. However, with current popular trends of making our gardens integral to our lifestyles, including socialising and entertainment as well as storage, our gardens can hold as many valuable items of interest for thieves as our homes do! So what can you do to make sure your garden is as safe as houses? These tips from security experts Safe Site Facilities give you some quick tips to keep your garden safe and sound.
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/drriss/9248091524
1) Build break-in proof boundaries
Anything which marks your boundary and acts as a barrier for your property should be well maintained to avoid giving would-be intruders easy access. Walls, fences and gates should all be checked regularly for rot and disrepair, whilst any wooden fences and gates which have suffered from weather damage, especially high winds, should be quickly replaced as opportunist thieves are out in all weathers.
The optimum height for fencing which offers both privacy and theft deterrent is considered to be 2 metres high. Trellis could be added as a quick and cost-effective method of gaining extra height on an existing fence and also brings the additional factor of being more flimsy than an actual fence… so much so that it’s unlikely to support a thief’s weight, causing breakage, a noise and injury risk that a thief is not likely to want the hassle of.
When considering the height of your fences, it’s worth also being aware that:
• Any boundary over 2m in height may require the consent of your local planning office.
• It’s preferable to keep some visibility at the front of your home so that when you’re out neighbours and passers by can quickly notice if something’s wrong, so it’s recommended that front boundary fences, walls or hedges are no higher than 1.2 metres.
2) Plant extra protection
Growing prickly plants close to boundaries can act as a good deterrent. If existing fencing or walls seem too low for comfort, adding a trellis and growing a prickly rambling rose across will help both to screen your property and deter thieves. However, if you have small children and want them to be able to enjoy the garden without the worry of accidental injury to them from prickly plants, consider instead plastic spikes which can be purchased to fit along the top of walls or fencing.
3) Secure Sheds
Like your garden fences and walls, sheds should be kept in good repair – to protect your items both from the weather and criminals. Depending on your budget, shed security can range from CCTV or having a security alarm fitted to less expensive secure padlocks for the door and window, as well as padlocking your tools and equipment together inside the shed itself. If you go for additional locks, remember to keep the keys securely inside your home and not ‘conveniently’ under a plant pot or stone next to the shed – what’s convenient for you will also be extremely handy for thieves!
Remember too that the hinge side of a shed door is as vulnerable as the lock, so consider replacing standard hinges with coach bolts and backing washers, for additional security, especially if the garden shed is the only place available to store all of your garden items or expensive items such as bicycles.
4) Be aware of what you keep in the shed
Having a secure shed for your garden equipment is one thing, but ensuring you stow away your expensive or specialist garden appliances and furnishings is another. If you can find a more suitable space indoors, such as a secure garage or conservatory, this might be better.
5) Out of sight, out of thieves’ minds
Similarly, never leave expensive equipment out where it can be seen, even if you are just popping out for a few hours. It only takes a few moments to lock everything away where it is out of sight.
6) Don’t let your household equipment become a thief’s tools
Locking your items out of sight also applies to less expensive items such as tools and ladders which might seem to have little value to you, but can be invaluable in giving an opportunist thief access to your home.
7) Make your mark
Marking valuable garden appliances and property with your postcode won’t necessarily make it less likely to be stolen, but it will definitely help with the recovery of items and can also help the police to track down the criminals involved (such as those receiving stolen goods, as well as the thieves themselves). Marking your property is easily done with UV pens, etching or engraving or paint. This not only makes items identifiable, but also makes it less appealing and potentially less valuable to thieves.
8) Shine a light
Intuitive bulbs which work from dusk until dawn are less expensive now than in years gone by and can be an easily installed, effective deterrent against nocturnal visitors. Similarly motion sensor lights might be an alternative.
9) Create noisier pathways
If your home is particularly high risk, then CCTV might be a security option for the access routes to your home, but it’s also an expensive one which takes a bit of time to set up. Instead, a quick alternative is to go for sound rather than vision by creating gravel driveways and paths. Sprinkling down gravel or pea shingle can be less expensive but add the extra deterrent of the crunch factor which makes it impossible for a thief to slip up to the house unnoticed.
10) Ensure you’re insured
Finally, a quick phone call to your home insurance company can help to make sure you’re fully covered in respect of your home – including your garden. Figures from Direct Line in recent years have shown that most homes have items worth approximately £1,200 in the garden and garage, yet on average every household is underinsured by approximately 30%. Particularly if you’ve just finished creating your dream garden, a call to the insurers now can prevent nasty shocks of the under-insured kind later on.
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