Garages and sheds

• Never leave a garage or garden shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house. A thief could get in and work on the inner door in privacy. 
• Shed doors are notoriously easy to get into so strengthen the door and frame if you can. 
• Outside door hinges should be secured with coach bolts or non-return screws. Use strong padbars and close shackle padlocks. 
• Up and over garage doors can be secured by putting padlocks through the inside runners or by fitting padlocks with a hasp and staple on either side of the door. Five lever mortice locks are the best on normal solid doors.
• Use an alarm - battery operated alarms may act as a deterrent but one which sounds in the house is far better. 
• If you have a house alarm, you could have it upgraded to include your shed or garage. If the garage is an integral part of your house, make sure the alarm conforms to BS 4737.
• Do you secure property within the shed? Even if someone did break into it, they would not just be able to walk off with all your valuable items? 
• Chain cycles, mowers, ladders and tools to a strong anchor point such as metal rings fixed in concrete to the floor - use a close shackle padlock. 
• As sheds are not designed for safe storage, would it be better to have a strong lockable box or cage inside your shed?
• Are windows secure? Is the glass cracked but you haven't got round to replacing it? 
• You could use Perspex or polycarbonate sheet if well fixed. Use a window lock on opening windows and a strong grille or heavy wire mesh. Consider using net curtains to deter casual viewing. 
• Lock ladders inside the garage or shed to stop a thief using them to reach inaccessible windows. If there is no room inside, chain or padlock them horizontally to a sturdy bracket on an outside wall.
• Mark your property to deter burglars and ensure equipment can be identified even if it is stolen. Visit our pages with advice on postcoding your property.