14 shed security tips for secure storage

If you own a shed, you’ll be aware of how useful they can be. You might use it for storage or as an extension of your outdoor living space. Whilst a shed is a great option for things like bikes and tools, you need to make sure they’re protected from thieves.
There are steps you can take to greatly increase the security of your shed and keep it secure. These expert tips will help you do just that, and consider investing in an outdoor camera to further strengthen your security setup.
Choose the right location
There’s a balance when it comes to choosing the right place to install your shed. Ideally, you’ll be able to see your shed from some windows in your house, so you can see if someone is trying to break into it.
In the ideal scenario, it’ll also be out of sight of opportunists; if they can’t see the shed, you can reduce the risk of it being a target.
Secure the area
Making sure your garden is secure plays a huge role in the safety of your shed. Keep your walls and fences in good condition, and make sure to always lock your gates! If someone has to scale a fence to get to your shed, it’ll be much more difficult to try and get anything they take out of your garden.
Choose the right lock
It may sound obvious, but changing your shed lock to a more sturdy, robust one can act as effective protection and give you a little more peace of mind.
Upgrade your hinges
While you’re making changes to your locks, check the hinges, too. They are most likely attached with small, short screws; even an inexperienced thief with simple tools could take them off and gain access relatively quickly.
Consider replacing the screws with carriage bolts. These can't be unscrewed from the outside, so even if someone gets to your shed, it'll be hard, noisy work to gain access.
Keep on top of maintenance
Rainy weather (which we get a lot of) can cause wooden sheds to rot. Rotten wood gives the shed a weak spot that can easily be kicked or pried off, even if your locks and hinges are up-to-scratch.
If you don’t have the time or tools to repair your shed, a plastic or metal one can be more expensive but will need less maintenance.
Obscure the windows
If your shed has windows, it’s probably best if you cover them. Thieves can look and locate what they’re going to take before alerting you with any noise.
You can easily secure your shed windows by pinning up old curtains or table cloths to cut the inside off from view. If you need to let light in, plastic coverings can blur the view without restricting light flow.
Consider changing from glass to plastic
Another security measure you can add to your shed is replacing the glass window panes with plastic or Perspex. These are much harder to break and potentially off-putting for intruders if they can’t break in at the first attempt.
Secure to the ground
In the unlikely event someone tries to steal your entire shed, consider bolting it to the floor. Wooden sheds often come with small anchors that can be drilled into the ground to keep it secure.
Reinforce the roof
Poorly built or secured sheds give thieves surprisingly easy access. If your shed roof or wall isn’t secured properly, it can easily be propped up for people to get in.
Install security lights and cameras
Along with an alarm, lights and CCTV cameras are always a good idea. They provide an additional layer of security to your outdoor space and can act as a visual deterrent, too.
Don’t advertise your belongings
In an age where everything is available on the internet, it’s probably a good idea to keep the contents of your shed as far away from your social media accounts as possible. Advertising the contents of your storage shed doesn’t need to be as obvious as posting it on social media; even leaving your tools in view of the street may bring unwanted attention.
Lock bikes to the shed
If you’ve taken all the precautions to secure the outside of your shed, what’s one more step? Locking your bikes to the shed means even if it does get broken into it, thieves have one more step to overcome.
Securing a hoop to the wall and using a standard bike lock is one way you can do this.
Check your insurance
Some home insurance will cover the contents of your shed, so if you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of shed theft, it’s worth checking what’s included in your coverage. It’s possible your home insurance might have stipulations that mean your bike or contents of your shed are only covered if stolen in the daytime.
Know what’s in it
Knowing exactly what’s in your shed is also incredibly important if it does end up getting broken into. Having an inventory list will help you give accurate and timely information to the police and your insurance provider.
With these useful tips, you can start to protect your shed from thieves and intruders. If you have experienced a burglary, it’s important to know what to do in the days and weeks after.