Most people want their belongings to be well protected at all times. In this context, well thought-out burglary protection naturally plays an essential role.
However, many home and garden owners do not take this issue too seriously, meaning that they do not secure their properties adequately or perhaps not at all. Yet it doesn’t take much to keep unwanted guests out.
The following article explains what is particularly important when it comes to effective burglary protection in outdoor areas at home.
Do not leave valuables on display
Regardless of whether it’s a high-tech lawnmower, expensive lounge furniture or simply the lush vegetable patch in front of the house: Those who leave their belongings on open display are attracting thieves. The first mistake that is often made is to show off your possessions. However, this does not mean that those who do not keep valuable items in their garden cannot become victims of burglary.
Valuables should therefore always be locked away. Garden tools, for example, can be stored in the cellar or a shed when they are not in use. Additional protection is possible with extra insurance.
Effective burglary protection for garden sheds
Many garden owners not only store their garden accessories, tools and equipment in their garden shed, but also their bicycles. This naturally attracts burglars.
For this reason, the garden shed must not only be protected against possible pest infestation or the effects of the weather, but also against criminals. The doors and windows are particularly sensitive points. They should therefore be fitted with high-quality locks and locked consistently.
In some cases, however, it may also be worth fitting an alarm system to the garden shed. The corresponding technology can be found on the market in numerous designs and price ranges, which is why it makes sense to compare prices beforehand.
If no system can be found that fits into the available budget, good outdoor lighting can also help. Ideally, the windows should be covered or darkened so that no one can see inside the house from outside.
Installation of surveillance cameras
A security system with surveillance cameras often leads to burglars abandoning their attempt from the outset. But even if the burglary is carried out despite the cameras, they are a great help in finding the perpetrator afterwards.
Nevertheless, the deterrent effect of cameras should not be underestimated. Even a dummy or a written indication that the outside area is under camera surveillance can often help.
If the camera images only show your own property, it is perfectly legal to install and use them. You just have to make sure that no other properties or public areas are filmed.
The danger of privacy screens
Many garden owners believe that opaque hedges or high walls significantly reduce the risk of burglary. However, this is by no means true in practice. In fact, criminals often use the privacy screen for their own purposes.
With the help of a ladder, burglars can scale high walls in a matter of seconds without any problems. They can then carry out their crime unnoticed under the protection of the wall when the residents are not at home. Hedges are also by no means insurmountable. Gardens with good visibility therefore make it more difficult to break in.
Demonstrate presence
Burglars are particularly interested in gardens that appear inactive. After all, the risk of running into the owner is low in these gardens. In the winter months in particular, most garden owners do not spend much time in their outdoor areas. Burglars like to take advantage of this season to help themselves to the equipment or furniture in the garden.
For reasons of deterrence, it therefore makes sense to always demonstrate a certain presence in your home’s outdoor area, even in winter. This can take the form of noises or visible changes in the garden.
If a comprehensive burglary protection concept is used, this usually also includes automatic controls for longer absences, for example during the vacation period. They then switch the lights on automatically or raise or lower the blinds. This results in a lively impression of the home. Those who are frequently away from home for long periods of time can particularly benefit from such systems.
Attach a warning sign
Many thieves are also deterred by a sign warning them of the animal inhabitants.
They fear dogs that guard the property with all their strength and indicate their intrusion by barking loudly. However, garden owners should bear in mind that burglars can quickly put dogs out of action.
Of course, the warning signs can also be put up even if no dog lives on the property. This is particularly useful in gardens that cannot be easily seen by burglars.
What exactly are burglars looking for in the garden?
In principle, it is almost impossible to create a concrete profile of those who break into gardens. However, when it comes to pure vandalism, in many cases the culprits are young men. They use this unsightly method to vent their frustration or prove themselves to their friends.
Burglaries involving the theft of expensive garden tools and furniture are often committed by professional criminals. In some cases, there are even entire gangs at work. Opportunist thieves tend to limit themselves to stealing plants, beautiful flowers or tasty vegetables – these crimes mainly occur in the summer months.
Incidentally, human perpetrators are not always necessarily behind a vandalized garden. If cherry or berry bushes have been plundered, for example, this can also be the work of large flocks of birds or other animal species. The same applies to vandalism. Raccoons, for example, can raid garbage cans and make a real mess in the garden. In such cases, the use of surveillance cameras or searching for footprints can provide information.
Investing in security is worthwhile
These explanations show that it is perfectly possible to protect both the garden and the home from criminal acts. It is always important to make it as difficult as possible for the perpetrators to carry out their plan.
Of course, no effective burglary protection concept can be implemented without a certain amount of investment. However, in view of the potential damage that can be caused by a break-in, it is generally a decision that is not regretted.