Check your household insurance policy covers you for thefts from your garden and outbuildings and take the following security advice to ensure your property will not be stolen.
- Do you know what’s in your garage? Keep a list.
- Have you security marked your garden tools and possessions with a bold marker pen, including your postcode and house number? Lawn mowers and other tools are less attractive to a thief if you write your postcode and house number across the top.
- Don’t leave valuable property in your garage which is either unlocked or so run-down that its no obstacle to a thief.
- If your garage is attached to the main house, ensure any connecting doors are made secure.
- A strong padlock will increase the security of your garage.
- A garage defender lock will secure an up-and-over garage door. This is a heavy-duty metal arm, padlocked to a base plate that is bolted into the concrete outside the garage door and prevents the door being opened.
- Consider fitting security cages inside sheds or garages to keep valuable items in.
There are stand alone security devices such as passive infrared detectors that detect motion and body heat, or a door contact system – both will activate a siren if the garage or outbuilding is broken into.
