Shed Security

A shed can be (and often is) a tempting target for the casual thief, perhaps because shed security is too often overlooked. Some distance from the house; poorly, if at all, secured and possibly containing a veritable bounty of expensive equipment, the humble (or not so humble) shed should not be overlooked when ensuring that a homeowner's belongings are kept secure.

This article seeks to outline the basics of shed security, specific areas to watch out for and how to make sure you can take all reasonable steps to secure your garden outhouses and tool repositories.

What do you keep in your shed? What is valuable? What would you miss particularly if it was stolen? These are the questions you need to ask when deciding on the steps you should take to secure the hut, lean-to, shack or whatever you decide to call it lurking at the bottom of your garden or nestling against the side of your house.

Some items to particularly note are the following:

Bicycles
Power tools
Tool sets
Golf clubs
Workbenches
Lawn Mowers
Fishing Equipment

These are all common items stored in your normal garden shed, and all are potentially valuable to the thief, if not the owner.

Furthermore, people often store items in their shed because of a lack of room in the main house. These can also often be attractive to a burglar.

So, make a rough inventory and that will give you a good idea of what lengths you should go to in ensuring shed security.

Security

First, how solid is the structure of the shed? Are walls solid, the roof secure and any windows safely in place? Any defects in these aspects may make other security steps superfluous. What's the point of fitting a deadbolt lock and padlocks if all a burglar needs to do is force a loose wooden wall panel to get in?

Next, consider the door. The standard lock fitted to a prefabricated shed will often not be really sufficient. Consider fitting a deadbolt/Chubb lock which should be more secure. Also, padlocks fitted top, bottom or both will further deter the opportunist thief.

On to windows. Glass panes are not ideal for security. Consider polycarbonate which will be more suitable for shed security. For still greater protection, you can fit a metal grill to the inside of the window.

Other Measures

You might want to step things up, perhaps because you store valuable equipment, your shed is particularly vulnerable, or you have been burgled before. In this case, additional security measures can include the following:

Security lighting. Proximity sensor-controlled to activate when movement near the shed is detected.
Security Cameras. Cameras are now particularly affordable, and can be computer-controlled. Make them easily noticeable (but hard to interfere with) to deter potential thieves.

Shed security is something to take seriously in these days of opportunist thieves, a ready black market and increasingly expensive garden/DIY equipment. Follow this simple guide to deter 99% of all shed-targeting burglars.