10 tips for keeping garden items protected this spring
As people bring out their outdoor furniture and ornaments, here’s how to keep them safe.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.With the weather warming up, expensive garden furniture and ornaments that have been safely locked away over winter are being moved back into outdoor spaces.
While it’s nice to admire your items in the sunshine and of course you’ll want to enjoy them, it also puts valuables at increased risk of theft or damage.
So, how can you help protect garden items? Brian Brown, consumer finance expert at star ratings website Defaqto shares the following tips…
1. Protect your garden’s boundaries
A determined burglar may still break in, but a fence will help to put them off. Keep fences in good repair. Another tip is to plant prickly hedges and plants around the walls.
2. Heavy garden fixtures are harder to steal
If you have a sculpture that might be targeted, consider putting it in the middle of a pond or mound of soft earth to make it harder to steal. You can also permanently fix sculptures to the ground, if you are happy to drill a hole in the bottom.
3. Postcode it
Try to secure any expensive items in the garden in a shed or outbuilding, such as gas fired barbecues and patio heaters. Put your postcode on expensive items, so you may get them back if they are taken.
4. Brave the cobwebs to check the contents of your shed
Check what you are storing in your shed and make sure you have enough insurance cover for it. Around one in five policies give cover between £250 and £2,000. Some offer cover for the value of items and others cover a percentage of the contents sum insured.
5. Keep sheds and outbuildings locked
Around one in six policies don’t cover anything if it is stolen from an unlocked outbuilding.
6. Keep barbecues and firepits safe
Keep the fires away from the house and outbuildings and keep water or an extinguisher on hand just in case.When using a barbecue, remember to wait for the coals or logs to cool completely before disposing of them. Many house fires are started each year from hot coals in dustbins.
7. Protect your hot tub
If you have a hot tub, place it on a flat surface where it can’t be damaged by sharp edges.
8. Consider security lighting
Many thefts from gardens take place at night. It may be worth adding some security lighting.
9. Protect your front garden
Some thieves simply steal flowers and plants because they like the look of them. One tip is not to grow anything with a long stem in your front garden or in view of the road, which can be easily clipped and taken.
10. Don’t leave ladders and tools outside
They could be used to gain entry to your home, or a neighbour’s property.