Garden Security Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

Having a quiet outdoor space to unwind after a long day is one of those simple pleasures. Nothing quite beats the feeling of being surrounded by a little slice of nature from the comfort of your home garden!

However, while your garden offers the perfect spot for relaxation and fun times with the family, it also plays an important role in home security. So, if you want to enjoy all the benefits of your garden while keeping your home safe, be sure to check out our top garden security tips approved by professional Sheffield locksmith below!

Make Sure Your Back and Side Fences are High

Gardens around the back and side of your home are more secluded from public view, making them more appealing for intruders, so most locksmiths suggest a 2m height for fencing in these areas.

Keeping your fences around this height makes them difficult to climb, and you can make this even more challenging by adding trellises, security spikes, or planting barbed/thorny shrubs to deter climbing further.

Bear in mind that if you want to build a fence above a certain height in the UK – usually two metres – then you might need planning permission from local authorities.

Keep Front Fences Low

Having a tall, robust fence around your garden offers an obvious advantage when it comes to home privacy, screening from the outside so that your family can enjoy the garden in peace and quiet.

Tall fences offer a great hiding spot for thieves, which is why keeping certain parts of fences or hedges lower is often a better idea.

For example, if you have a front garden, it’s recommended by expert locksmiths that you keep a fence or hedge around waist level. Doing so provides a clear view of the property, making any would-be thieves easy to spot, making it a great deterrent.

Gravel Paving and Pathways

There are lots of options when it comes to garden paving materials, from stylish block pavers and porcelain tiles to cost-effective options like concrete. However, when it comes to keeping your garden and home safe, you can’t beat gravel for your pathways and paving!

Gravel stones are one of the best materials for home security as they create a lot of noise when underfoot, making it difficult for intruders to sneak by unnoticed.

Whether it’s a driveway, patio, or winding pathway, using gravel for garden surfaces offers an excellent line of defence from unwanted intrusions – they’re also very affordable!

Don’t Forget About Security Cameras

Ask any professional locksmith about the safest ways to protect your garden, and they’ll recommend a good security camera. While they were pricy in the past, security cameras are more affordable than ever, making it easy to find a quality product for any budget.

From robust home CCTV systems to user-friendly smart cameras, there are countless options for security cameras for your garden. Locksmiths suggest installing a camera at the front and back of your property to deter criminals from trying to break in via your garden – most won’t take the risk knowing they’re on camera!

Not only are they an excellent deterrent, but they will also provide evidence should the worst case happen, and you suffer from a break-in or criminal damage.

Protect Your Garden Using a Natural Perimeter

There are various plants that you can install around your property to create a natural border that adds both security and privacy, not to mention offering a beautiful aesthetic.

Some of the best plants for creating a secure natural perimeter in your garden include:

• Firethorn: Firethorn is a thick evergreen shrub that produces vibrant berries and flowers while being very low maintenance. You can plant these around your perimeter, and the dense, spiny branches will deter most intruders while adding dramatic swathes of colour for you to enjoy!
• Holly: A festive favourite, holly is also a great shrub for keeping your garden border safe and secure, thanks to its jagged leaves. They work well combined with other shrubs or on their own, with the thick shrubbery offering a great line of defence and a charming natural aesthetic.
• Yew: Native to the UK, yew is a versatile shrub that works great with most garden aesthetics, being one of the most popular options for hedging. A thick, long-living hedge, its dense growth acts as a great deterrent, and it’s a slow grower for minimal maintenance.
• Hawthorne: A popular choice for UK gardens, Hawthorne features thick, luscious foliage with jagged thorns that provide outstanding protection for a home boundary. It produces a wonderfully white flower during spring and is incredibly easy to maintain.

These plants are not just great for a natural perimeter but also add security throughout your garden. For example, you can plant them beneath windows to make these common entry points for burglars much more secure!

Illuminate Your Garden

The better lit your garden is, the less appealing it is for intruders who typically like to operate under the cover of darkness. Locksmiths can recommend quality security lights, such as motion-sensitive lights, that are ideal for your garden’s unique shape and size.

Keep Your Home Safe with a Secure Garden

With the right security measures in place, your garden not only serves as a beautiful outdoor space but also as an important line of defence for your home.

By keeping fences the correct height, you can make it difficult for intruders to gain access and prevent them from hiding in plain sight, while a natural perimeter from shrubs can also provide that extra level of security. Keep things well lit, make sure your shed is secure, and consider investing in a quality security camera system for further protection.