Week 3 – Guarding the garden
Obviously, most people’s priority is their actual house security but many neglect the rest of their property, the garden, shed and garages or any other secluded area away from prying eyes that could be susceptible to attack.
In this week’s blog we will address how to protect the areas that aren’t given a second thought which criminals exploit to their advantage.
Shed and Garages
Considering the amount of expensive equipment that can be stored within these areas like vehicles, power tools and machinery, expensive leisure items such as high-end bicycles, boats, etc.
It’s unbelievable how many people opt for very cheap low-quality security products to protect these valuable items. Some even admit to not locking their shed or garage at all, explaining that they live in a very safe neighbourhood! If I was given a penny every time I heard this…….
Now let’s make one thing clear, every neighbourhood good or bad is vulnerable to crime. It’s been known for criminal gangs to actively target affluent areas in hope of a much greater rewards, so be warned.
Most garages will already have some type of locking mechanism so there really is no excuse not to lock it. Granted the factory fitted lock may not be the most secure on the market but you can upgrade the cylinder if its replaceable, if not you can have additional locks fitted. There are numerous options that will suit most types of garage doors from garage door bolts through to ground anchors and much more.
As most garage doors are metal the fitting process needs to be very accurate so this may not be a DIY project that you’re keen to take on as the installation process can be very unforgiving. In my opinion best left to a professional.
However, wooden sheds are a different ball game. If you are confident with power tools, hammer and chisel, don’t mind a bit of remedial woodwork etc you would most probably be able to upgrade the locks yourself. The biggest problem with wooden sheds is they tend to quite flimsy. We would recommend reinforcing the door and frame before fitting a better-quality lock. You could have the best lock on the market but if the door can be flexed open it defeats the objective. Perhaps a product that bolts through the door instead of being screwed to the surface with a very long locking bolt would be best in this situation or even an old-school heavy-duty hasp and staple with quality padlock would be ok and much easier to install.
Security Lighting
Considering the amount of expensive equipment that can be stored within these areas like vehicles, power tools and machinery, expensive leisure items such as high-end bicycles, Motion activated lighting is a good deterrent for those dark secluded areas of your property. It will put off any potential burglars and if noticed, even if you’re out for the night or away on holiday it will hopefully raise the concern of neighbours if triggered at unsocial hours.
CCTV
As mentioned in week – 2, cctv is a very effective deterrent. Multiple cameras recording various locations around the whole property. Some systems even have night vision making this option very difficult to beat.
Entrance/garden gates
Any entrance gate leading to your property should be lockable. Making any entrance or exit as difficult to access for potential thieves is a must. The longer it takes a thief to navigate the more likely they are to move on to an easier target. They would much prefer to be in and out as quickly and quietly as possible, less chance of being caught in the act.
Garden Tools
Don’t leave any garden equipment/tools in the garden unattended you should always make the effort to lock them away. Items like ladders can be used by opportunistic thieves to access windows they wouldn’t normally be able to reach. Also, in a much more dangerous situation if a thief has been caught in the act, they may grab a random tool in a moment of panic and lash out to avoid capture. Situations like this do happen and people do get injured so be careful.
There’s a large variety of things you can do to improve your home security. You can upgrade your existing locks, possibly to fall inline with the British Standard insurance approved criteria, or opt for the latest in alarms and Cctv. We also offer additional security items that can be fitted to all doors and windows to work alongside the existing locks, the choice is massive.
For any help or free advice please give us a call on…07850 448 444 OR 01803 613 138
On-site Assessments and Servicing
As every installation has different requirements, ProSecure Locksmiths offers a free no obligation quote so we can find the best security solution to meet your personal needs. There are various home security packages to meet with every budget.
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How ProSecure Locksmiths Can Help
At ProSecure Locksmiths we offer home security assessments so that you will have a tailor made solution to meet your specific requirements. We also provide home insurance surveys to make sure the criteria of your policy are being met.
At ProSecure Locksmiths we are proud to be an official Yale Smart Security Partner. Working with leading industry brands such as Yale means we can offer the latest in home security products. A recent report found that 47% of all burglaries are “spur of the moment” attacks and having a brand renowned for security could in itself be an effective visual deterrent.