We all take every possible precaution to ensure our homes are secure but what about our garden sheds? The following steps will help you make it as secure as possible.
Shed location
Before having a new timber shed installed, consider where it will go in the garden. Where you have the choice of location, try to position it so that it can be seen from the house but not from the road. Where a shed cannot be seen, by thieves, they may just think you don’t have one! Fence panels can obscure the view of your garden, while trellis panels surrounding the shed will shield that from view too.
Shed locks and hinges
Assess the security of an older shed. Fit new hinges with longer screws or replace existing screws with longer ones and invest in a strong lock. Shackle padlocks are ideal as they offer protection against cropping or hacksaw attacks.
Shed windows
If your older shed has windows, apply security sheets or privacy spray which allow light in but prevent the contents being seen from outside. Swap out glass panes for plastic or Perspex and fit blinds or curtains, keeping them closed when you are not using the shed.
Secure shed contents
Ensure that all cupboards, cabinets and drawers inside the shed are lockable and kept locked when the shed is empty. Valuable, freestanding power tools and equipment should be secured to ring bolts attached to the walls or floor and multiple items can be bike-locked to each other to make removal difficult. Security coding items and displaying signs to say you have data tagged property is another safety measure that will act as a deterrent.
Alarms, security lighting and CCTV
Motion sensitive battery-operated alarms are relatively inexpensive and, when triggered, will emit a loud enough noise to alert you and scare would-be intruders away. Similarly, security lighting that is activated by movement can be effective in scaring intruders away, while also being useful in helping you to negotiate your way around after dark! Security cameras have been proven to be a great deterrent so installing a CCTV system will bring added peace of mind.
Insurance
While having insurance doesn’t safeguard your shed and its contents against theft, it will offer protection against the cost of having to replace everything if the worst was to happen. Check your home buildings and contents policies and make sure the contents of the shed is covered for accidental damage or theft.
Security sheds from Witham Timber
If you are looking for a new timber garden shed, there are models available that are specifically designed with safety as a priority. Witham Timber’s security sheds are a great option as they feature just one small apex window above the door and are fitted with strong security hinges and a padlock protector. Available in three popular sizes, our security shed is constructed from dipped shiplap timber cladding and features a tongue and groove floor and solid board roof.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of security for your shed, please contact us via email at sales@withamtimber.co.uk or by phone on 01205 359188 where our friendly sales team will be happy to help.