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Garden sheds used for storage are often packed with belongings that can be attractive targets for burglars. In addition to shed maintenance, it’s wise to take preventive measures to keep it securely locked. Here’s how.
Check Your Shed’s Weak Spots
The first step to keeping your garden storage safe from thieves is spotting its weak points. Think about where someone might try to break in. Doors and windows (if your shed has them, as some units are windowless) are usually the obvious places they’ll go for.
Start with the doors. Are they sturdy enough to handle some force, or could they easily be kicked in? If they’re a bit flimsy, you might want to reinforce the door frame or add some heavy-duty hinges and a decent deadbolt. This applies to whether you have a wooden shed with timber doors, a metal shed with metal doorways, a plastic shed with a matching door, or something else.
Next, check the windows. Are they secure? If the locks aren’t up to scratch, fit strong window locks resistant to picking or tempering. Applying frosted or tinted film is also a good option, as it makes it difficult for anyone to see inside while still allowing natural light.
Many gardeners opt for windowless sheds to prevent anyone from being able to see what valuables might be inside. Plus, it provides fewer entry points. Of course, this does mean the shed will be darker inside.
Finally, take a good look at the locks on the doors and windows. Are they in good condition? If not, reinforce your entry points (more on this later). And don’t overlook the area around your shed. Overgrown shrubs or hiding spots can give burglars the cover they need.
Reinforce Your Shed’s Entry Points
For this step, we’ll focus more on upgrading your shed’s door, windows, and locks. Extra security never hurts; consider mounting strong hinges that can handle a bit of force. You can also reinforce the door frame with metal plates or strike plates to make it tougher. Or upgrade to a deadbolt shed lock that goes deep into the doorframe.
A simple padlock on the shed door is easy enough for a determined thief to break through with a pair of bolt cutters. The best solution for this is a padlock protector, which makes it so only the keyhole section of the padlock is accessible.
If you want to go the extra mile, you could add bars or grilles to the windows as a deterrent. These additions will make it much harder for someone to get in.
You could also fit a shed alarm system, such as wireless alarms and surveillance cameras. Wireless alarms give off a loud alert if someone tries to get in. Surveillance cameras let you monitor things in real-time and record any activity. Depending on the features, they can even notify you on your phone if something’s wrong.
Install Outdoor Lighting
Good lighting can help deter burglars away, and motion sensor lights are your best bet. As the name suggests, they’ll turn on as soon as they detect any movement. This not only lights up the area but also alerts you to anything suspicious.
A great option is this Biard Ziersdorf LED Adjustable Light with PIR Motion Sensor. What we like about it is that it has an A++ energy rating for long-term usage, plus, of course, the PIR sensors.
Outdoor floodlights that cast light directly on your shed are also an excellent choice. With their high lumen count, they’ll provide bright light across the entire area the floodlight covers.
Round-up
Keeping your shed safe from burglars means taking a few different steps and staying on top of things. To reduce the risk of a break-in, have a look at any weak spots on your shed and fortify those entry points. Implementing security systems and outdoor lighting are also worthwhile, especially if you’re storing things like your outdoor gear or BBQ.
A well-secured shed not only keeps your stuff safe but gives you peace of mind, too. Read this guide next for more ‘Easy Security Tips To Protect Your Garden Shed’
