| Sheds and garages are often full of expensive | | | | easily overcome, but a padlock with a hasp |
| garden tools and machinery, as well as bikes | | | | and staple on the inside is an effective way |
| and other similar items. What's more, a | | | | of improving security. Consider adding a |
| burglar may not only steal these items but | | | | mortice lock to double garage doors with a |
| can use them in order to gain access to the | | | | rim latch. |
| rest of your property. | | | | |
| | | | Another option to secure an up-and-over |
| The simple way to avoid having your shed or | | | | garage door is a garage defender lock. This |
| garage broken into is to make sure that it is | | | | is a heavy-duty metal arm, padlocked to a |
| properly secured and not run down so that it | | | | base plate that is bolted into the concrete |
| acts as a deterrent to any potential burglar. | | | | outside the garage door. This prevents the |
| Never leave a garage or garden shed unlocked, | | | | door from being opened. They cost around 50 |
| especially if it has a connecting door to the | | | | pounds which is a small price for protecting |
| house, a thief could get in and work on the | | | | what is kept inside your garage. |
| inner door in privacy. | | | | |
| | | | Alternatively you can fix bolts to the |
| Ensure that your shed is in good condition. | | | | runners of an up-and-over garage door that |
| Make sure that the wall panels, door and any | | | | can be locked from the inside. This is a |
| windows are strong and secure. If you your | | | | particularly good idea if you tend to enter |
| shed is in bad condition that consider that a | | | | your garage from inside your home, and not |
| burglar could easily gain access to it so | | | | from the outside. |
| avoid keeping valuable items inside, such as | | | | |
| lawnmowers or bikes. | | | | If your garage door is attached to the main |
| | | | house, ensure any connecting doors are made |
| If you do want to keep such items in your | | | | secure. If your gardening equipment or tools |
| shed, and also for general security, then | | | | are especially valuable, consider using |
| consider getting a strong and secure lock for | | | | special security devices inside your shed or |
| the door. The fittings should be bolted | | | | garage. Items can be locked down using chains |
| through the shed door and reinforced at the | | | | through eyebolts secured to the floor or |
| back with a steel plate. Any hasp should have | | | | walls. There are a number of specialist |
| concealed screws. Padlocks used externally | | | | systems available for this purpose. Consider |
| should be no less than 6cm wide and made of | | | | fitting security cages inside sheds or |
| hardened steel. A "closed shackle" type is | | | | garages and keep valuable equipment inside |
| best, as thieves cannot get the likes of a | | | | them. It's well worth locking down ladders |
| crowbar through the shackle to break it. The | | | | and tools that could be used to break in to |
| locks should have no less than five pins. | | | | your house. Mark all your garden equipment |
| Considering fitting any shed windows with an | | | | and tools with your postcode. |
| internal grille fixed to steel plates. For | | | | |
| sheds that have exterior door hinges - | | | | Finally, check with your household insurance |
| replace existing screws with security screws. | | | | company that your policy includes cover for |
| They are designed so that they cannot be | | | | items stored in garages, sheds and |
| unscrewed once they are screwed in. | | | | outbuildings and remember, if you fail to put |
| | | | your equipment away or lock-up, your |
| Make sure that your garage is safe and secure | | | | insurance company probably will not pay up. |
| too. Many up-and-over style garage doors are | | | | |