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Garden security – 5 top tips to protect your garden

The garden is often the place we relax, unwind and revel in the beauty of nature after a long, hard, busy day.

Whether you’re flicking through a book or even just enjoying some summer rays after a day cooped up indoors, having your own private garden space is the ultimate luxury to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

But what you may not consider is that this tranquil, solitary part of your home is not only a great space for a quiet afternoon of relaxing. It’s also the perfect secluded spot for opportunists to hide behind the cover of darkness to scope out your property undetected.

And when you think of the expensive patio furniture, bicycles and electrical tools often stored in your shed or garage, it’s no wonder that the garden is a prime target for criminals.

Which is why ensuring that your garden security is up to scratch is essential in maintaining sufficient protection over your property. It’s important to remember that the garden should be the first line of defence for your property, stopping criminals in their tracks before they even have the chance to break into your home.

So, to make sure that your garden is at the peak of security, the home security experts at Yale have shared their top tips to ensure your home’s not a prime target for opportunistic criminals this season.

Time to update your shed security? 

So, let’s start with the garden shed. It’s the perfect space to store your expensive garden tools, bicycles and garden furniture in the colder months, making it a prime target for any burglar.

Although many homeowners would consider securing their property to be a top priority, the shed is much more of an easier target for criminals, allowing them to grab these expensive items virtually undetected.

With this in mind, it’s essential that homeowners look to upgrade their shed security, securing their shed door with a sturdy weatherproof padlock and hasp. Most high-quality weatherproof padlocks on the market can withstand harsh weather conditions and can therefore improve your shed security across all seasons. 

With a hardened steel design, a weatherproof padlock should also be able to protect any opportunists gaining access to a shed by preventing any cutting attacks, a popular tactic amongst criminals. 

In the rare occurrence that a burglar can gain access through a shed door, it’s important that any expensive items are securely bolted down, using the relevant padlock for the item in question.

For bicycles, a heavy-duty padlock is an essential. To upgrade your bike security to the next level, you could also opt for a maximum-security chain, combined with wall or ground anchors, as these security measures will prevent any speedy exits with your precious cycling gear.

Figure out your fencing

Another way in which you can ensure your shed isn’t on the ‘most wanted’ list is to simply make sure the fence around your home offers a sufficient level of protection.

It may seem simple, but how you present your home and garden to the outside world can often portray to thieves how seriously you take the security of your property.

Broken, rotting or missing fence panels not only provide easy access to your home and garden, but also suggest that your home isn’t guarded by other important security measures, making easy pickings for expensive items.

Of course, harsh weather can quite easily destroy your wooden fencing, but a top tip would be to get panels fixed immediately, as most burglars will take any opportunity they can if they are scoping out your local area.

Green eyed monster

Shrubs, hedges, trees – all the types of things you’d expect to see in a garden. But this thick, dense greenery is the perfect hiding spot for any criminals looking to hide in your garden under the cover of darkness.

Keeping hedges and bushes trimmed back is important when keeping your garden security up to scratch. But, to make sure every stone is left unturned, investing in security cameras can keep those undetected spots covered, not allowing any criminal to get the best of your home security.

Adding security cameras can help to upgrade your garden security to the next level, helping to deter any opportunistic thieves operating in the area. 

It’s a commonly known fact that many criminals avoid homes with security cameras, so it’s an effective way to make sure you’re not the next target on their list.

With the latest security camera models also offering smartphone compatibility, this means you can even check in on your home and garden security when you’re out and about, away at work or on holiday. 

Offering the benefit of peace of mind, homeowners can feel secure that their garden is always being monitored, even when they’re not there, removing the worry and helping to reduce the stresses of daily life.

For more product information please visit yalehome.com