Garden Shed Security

Why is garden shed security important? The average garden shed represents a particularly tempting target for the average, opportunistic thief or burglar. It is said that sheds, gazebos, summer houses and the like represent an increasingly major target for the less law-abiding members of society.

However, there are a number of simple (and not necessarily expensive) steps that can be taken to help ensure that your shed doesn't become a target for thieves. Follow these to make your shed more secure.

Locks and Doors

Your shed door should be solid, well-constructed, with a robust frame, high-quality lock and secure hinges. Particular weak points include:

• Doors made from PVC or hollow wood. These are not particularly safe. Solid, good quality wood is far better.
• Simple Yale locks. Deadlocks are better, and you can always add padlocks to boost security.
• Insecure hinges. To be secure, hinges are safer if they are of a crimped design, use safety studs or are mortised. All these designs better protect the hinge pins, making them less easy to remove.
• Flimsy frame. The door frame should be robust to protect the security of the structure.

A simple measure to take is to fit a security bar. These strong, thick bars fit across the middle of the door and can provide a very visible deterrent.

Alarm Systems

To further increase garden shed security, an alarm system can be fitted. Types of alarm can include:

• Contact with doors (and windows). A simple contact system which will activate if the contact is broken. Set with a combination and delay.
• Infrared motion detector. Detects human motion within a certain area. Set to cover the door and window area. Can be fitted inside the shed or outside.
• CCTV. A video record is made via camera, usually activated by infrared detection of motion.
• Audible or silent alarm. Depending on the needs of the homeowner, can activate a loud alarm discouraging the would-be thief. Alternatively, a silent alarm can warn the homeowner of unauthorized entry.
• Independent battery-powered system or system connected to main house alarm.
• A fake alarm box (and warning stickers). No functionality, but acts as a deterrent adding to garden shed security.

To be most effective, a combination of alarm types should be used. For example, two alarms can be fitted, one audible and one silent. If the burglar disables one, the other can still provide protection.

Other Measures

Garden shed security can be bolstered further with the following steps:

• Guard dog (and warning notice of the dog's presence).
• Automatic security light set to motion detector.
• Locking down any especially valuable items.
• Making access difficult by planting quick-growing thorny bushes around the base of the shed.

As you can see, garden shed security can be beefed up quite simply using a number of methods. Put yourself in the mind of the potential burglar and look at your shed. Where are the weak points? Where would be easiest to gain entry? Address those points and you will have put off most thieves.