Securing Your Shed
Workshopshed: It’s that time of year when the nights are closing in and thieves start to break into sheds. Bonfire night is popular as people are often away from their houses for a long period.
Nick Arnold: When it comes to security, your shed would probably be the last thing to come to mind. You primarily think of your home or your business that needs protecting, not the little building at the bottom of your garden.
But your shed’s security should be as high priority as your home. Regardless of whether you’re got a home cinema built in or a collection of tools, you need to ensure your shed is secure. More and more garden sheds are becoming targets for burglars, especially if they contain the tools that they need to break into your home.
These are the main steps you can take to fully secure your shed, and keep its contents safe:
Step 1: Inspect Your Shed
Yes this does sound a little simple but it could save a lot of hassle in the long run. Start by checking your doors and windows. Are they sturdy and in good condition? Are any elements of the wood rotting in places? Could someone easily kick open a door, window or even a roof panel? If the answer is even a slight yes to any of these questions, then you need to look at getting some replacements/repairs before you even think about buying even a mere padlock. There’s no point spending all that time and money on high-end security, when someone can easily kick down your rotting shed door. Make sure your shed is in good condition, and then you can start adding the additional security.
Step 2: Install Security
Next is simple security that you can install yourself. Padlocks, bars, fastenings and anchor bolts are all items you could consider purchasing to secure your shed.
Padlocks are the simplest form of security action you can take. By having a locked padlock on your doors, you are already saying that the shed is locked and can’t be accessed without a key.
But chances are that you’ve already got a padlock secured onto the door. So what’s next?
Add some metal bars to your shed. By working steel into the framework of your shed, it can increase its strength and security. Consider adding steel bars to the framework of your door, making it harder to break down. Maybe even add some stainless steel bars to your windows, this should both make them sturdier and better protected from being smashed to gain access.
Have any large equipment located in your shed? Consider adding Anchor Bolts to the base of any large equipment you might have, whether it’s a drilling machine or a TV Stand. Anchor Bolts can be used to tightly secure any objects or structures to concrete. By having the equipment bolted down, it will make it even harder for burglars to take any of your larger and more expensive pieces.
Step 3: Surveillance
Now you’ve secured your shed as best as you can, it’s time to bring in some help to make sure your shed is guaranteed to be safe. There are two main aspects you want to focus on getting installed, they are;
CCTV and/or Alarm System
Security Floodlights
In regards to CCTV and Alarm Systems, you may initially think of having them for shed as a little excessive. But before writing this off, think about the value of the contents of your shed. If any of that equipment/those items were stolen, how much would it cost to replace it all? In the long run, installing CCTV and Alarm systems can be extremely cost effective.
CCTV can keep a 24/7 watch on your shed (and even your home) at all times, even when you’re there and when you’re not there. Every aspect will be recorded, and with modern systems, will enable you to watch security cameras from your phone. Wireless CCTV ensures you can control every aspect of your system from the palm of your hand. Meaning you can check on your shed at all times, from anywhere.
Alarm Systems can be utilised for both your shed and home. With an alarm system in place, you can have access to an entire range of high-tech security. Alarm Systems can do much more than sound an alarm and send an emergency signal down your landline. Their range of high-tech sensors can include;
- Tamper-Sensitive Sensors- can inform you if a window breaks or someone attempts to tamper with your control panel.
- Temperature and Humidity Sensors- to alert you of fire and flood conditions. They can even monitor the air for any dangerous gases, such as Carbon Monoxide. This can help monitor what is happening inside your shed, and ensure you prevent any possible damage being caused.
- Sophisticated Pet-Friendly Motion Detectors- can tell the difference between an intruder and the family dog. So if any of your pets decide to take a sneaky try at your shed, the alarm won’t sound thinking someone’s trying to break in.
There are many affordable CCTV installation companies around, who can help with CCTV and Alarm Installations; without breaking the bank.
The next thing you’d think to add or look into adding would be lights. Burglars are less likely to target any area of your property if they believe they could be seen and exposed. The more brightly lit the area around your shed is, the less likely you are to have any attempted break-ins. You could simply consider adding some wall lights around the outside of your shed, or even some floodlights to brighten the whole garden at night.
Another good investment could be using Lights with Motion Sensors. Sure this may put on the spotlights for every time the neighbour’s cat scurries past, but could work to catch a burglar off guard. Imagine this, it’s the middle of the night, your garden is covered in shadows and looks inviting to a burglar. They think this is an easy score and begin to sneak slowly over your fence. Landing with firm feet on the ground, they set their sights on your shed in front of them. Their brains are whizzing through all the possible goods inside, all the money they could make. They take a step forward and….
Spotlights flick on! All your CCTV becomes visible. Its lights, camera, action. Your burglar is frozen in place, startled by the sudden change. This wasn’t the easy score they thought and now they are trapped. They have two options left. Run or prepare to answer to you for trespassing. Odds are that they will run without even trying to finish the planned break in.
In the long run, adding extra security to your shed could save you a lot of time, money and headaches. The last thing anyone wants it to wake up to empty shed left with the door wide open. Adding security can make you feel safe, secure your contents and can instantly put burglars off, tempting them to target an ‘easier option’. Don’t let your shed and home become a target. Update your security and keep your property safe.
Workshopshed: A big thanks to Nick Arnold for sharing these thoughts on shed security.
Metal sculpture in brass, mounted on an 1800s French Coin
