10 ways to protect your garden gear from thieves this year including hot tubs, fire pits and barbecues

The weather is warming up and retail stores across the country are using the bank holiday as an opportunity to showcase their latest garden furniture and outdoor features with many, offering discounts to early summer bargain hunters.

Over the last two summers many households have been optimizing their outdoor living space to create their own little oasis as a result of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, which means more money has been invested in longer-lasting items including al fresco dining sets, state of the art of barbecues and pizza ovens and of course, hot tubs and outdoor pools.

However, as people gear up for longer daylight hours and higher temperatures, it can be easy to overlook simple security steps when it comes to protecting their valuable garden items.

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Here are 10 things to check to make sure your garden gear is protected this summer.

Protect your 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.

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.

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.

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.

Keep sheds and outbuildings locked

Around one in six policies don’t cover anything if it is stolen from an unlocked outbuilding.

Keep barbecues and fire pits 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.

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.

Consider security lighting

Many thefts from gardens take place at night. It may be worth adding some security lighting.

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.

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Don’t leave ladders and tools outside

They could be used to gain entry to your home, or a neighbor’s property by passing an opportunistic thief or someone who has spotted they are left out on a regular occurrence.

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