Garden Shed Security

[Hillside]

Got all my kite gear stowed away in the garden shed. Not ideal I know, but I don't have a garage and the missus won't let me store my gear and buggies in the spare room.

There have been a number of shed break ins in our area recently - quite valuable stuff has been stolen - lawn mowers, powertools etc.

I know that our shed isn't that secure - timber slatted affair, but does have a decent padlock and hasp holding it shut. Not too sure how the doors would hold out if an attempt was made to prise the doors open with a crow bar or such like.

 

This is the type of shed I have:

 

http://www.meritgardenproducts.co.uk/images/products/large/MeritWorkshop.jpg

 

Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can make it more secure? I have seen the steel security bar things which are fixed across the doors, but I'm not sure as to their effectiveness especially as the shed itself isn't that strong.

 

http://www.garden-security.co.uk/productIms/DGshedbar-im.jpg

 

Also, if the shed was broken into and stuff stolen, would my household contents insurance cover it?

[lazarus]

Ask your self this question. If you had a crow bar how easily could you remove that device?

If your answer is under 2 minutes then a burglar will probably manage it in less and the device is probably not worth the money.

[Birdman]

Shotgun Alarm Signal Trip Wire

 

As for insurance, give your insurance company a call, they will insure the contents if you can let them know what is in there.

[DIEM]

I`ve always been of the opinion that if you make it look really secure i.e bolts,bars and grills etc, you`re basically saying "i have loads of expensive gear in my shed" and make it more of a target. i would be tempted to perhaps stick the kites and stuff in the loft and chain the buggy down. we have a lot of this sort of "petty" crime around here and if the tossers want to get into your shed 9 times out of 10 they will sadly..

[Capt Slog]

There was a spate of burglaries from garden sheds allotments once, and they all went in through the roof.

 

When they eventually caught them in the act it turned out to be team of a tiny chap and a bloke who was 6 foot plus a lot . The big chap was able to just wrench the roof off and drop the little guy in!

[shrimpo]

Would also look at ply lining it, use screws rather than nails, roof you could put some wire chicken wire up on that.

 

I would have thought a mortice type lock was better than a surface one, less to get a bar into.

 

You can get metal sheds as well, which may be more secure.

 

Windows will be an easy target as well...

 

Or get one of the Van vaults and put it in the shed..

 

Shrimpo

[dreadycraig]

Does your shed have a concrete floor? get a floor anchor and chain all your stuff to it. you could also get a solid metal cupboard to store your kites in and have it bolted to the floor

[abba]

You could go with a more robust shed?

4-5 courses of brick... then an oak frame infilled with 3/4" thick oak boards, tiled roof

 

not the cheapest of solutions maybe 6k?

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z32/live4wind/IMG_2884640x480.jpg

[stiffy]

My mate has one of those bars on the inside of the door, puts it accross before shutting and locking the door. I guess it would stop anyone kicking the door in but wouldn't make any difference if they have a crowbar... he keeps his motorbikes in his shed so unless you can lift a motorbike or get the bar out of the way they're going nowhere.

 

If your handy with a paintbrush you could paint the outside and make it look like a brick shed

[rexel]

Stick your missus in the shed and store your kites anywhere you like!

[Anne1599968726]

If your shed is secure enough that would-be burglars have to BREAK in then your insurance will probably cover it, but call your company to be sure.

Of course if you make the shed LOOK really secure then folk will think there's something worth nicking and they're more likely to go for it.

Cover the windows so they can't see in, also ensure they can't get in that way.

 

 

 

Many many years ago we had a massive stone-built garage with wooden doors. The most secure thing my dad ever did to it was remove the doorhandle

It was a mortice-type lock without a key, we locked it with a padlock but without the handle there was no way in. The frame was too strong to be kicked in, as was the door itself (as we realised by the bootprints one morning lol)

 

 

Locks are for polite people. If someone wants in, they'll go by brute force.

Bolt your stuff to the floor.

[etchy6]

my friend has 2 of those big steel bars accross his door and chicken wire just under the roof and had boarded up his window...

 

on the basis that securing it will make it more attractive...

 

my mates 3 door garage (only way in would be with a code as the doors are reinforced and electric with a code) but a few years ago, some burglars came up to the house, went in through the roof, took down the back wall, took 5 quads, a ride on lawnmower, an entire (very big) snap on toolbox a pool table, 8 bikes and the spair keys to the merc clk500 AMG...

 

 

so, no protection will make it 100% safe...

[Zotty]

ive pm'd you mr hillside.. GO TAKE THEM OUT YOUR SHED!!!! NOW

Edited December 16, 2009 by Zotty