Published 15 October 2025
How to make your home secure this summer
Light evenings, open windows and family can create opportunities for burglars in summer making it important to secure sheds, garages, and outdoor belongings as the value of these can quickly add up.
- British homeowners store valuable belongings in sheds and garages, but often forget to lock them
- Burglars have more opportunities to take off with your possessions in summer
- Prevent theft by making a few simple changes
Unlocked sheds are easy pickings for opportunistic burglars with valuables like bicycles, lawn mowers and hand tools among the most commonly stolen items.
During the summer, gardens become even more of a target, as things like sound systems, garden furniture and patio heaters come out of storage. This means the value of your garden contents can dramatically increase in the summer months.
How can I make my home and garden more secure?
There are a few steps you can take to reduce the chances of your shed or garage being broken into:
It might sound obvious, but thieves are opportunists. Always close and lock windows and doors, even if you're just stepping out for a few minutes.
- Locking your shed or garage with a quality padlock can help deter burglars and protect your valuables.
- If they manage to get inside your outbuildings, extra locks on bicycles or lawnmowers can help put off burglars looking for a quick getaway.
- If you're heading indoors, take valuables like mobile phones and sunglasses with you - but don't leave them in plain sight.
- If you're going inside for the day, put away any garden furniture or bicycles.
- Cover bikes, mowers and tools stored in a shed with a tarpaulin, or put them somewhere away from windows where they can't be seen.
- Make sure your Contents Insurance is up to date with any valuable new additions.
Prickly plants and dense hedges can help protect your garden by putting off potential intruders.
- Motion-sensitive security lights are a great deterrent for anyone sneaking around your property at night and can help you feel safer once the sun's gone down.
- Consider installing a burglar alarm on sheds, garages and outbuildings.
- There are a range of options avaliable, from simple alarms to systems that transmit CCTV images to your phone.
- Most importantly, you should make sure your Home Insurance is up to date and that it covers all of your belongings, including your garden furniture. Some contents policies may even cover valuable plants too.
- It's a good idea to take photos of your valuables as this can make it easier to claim on your insurance, many insurance policies extend to your garden valuables.
- You can also explore the various Valuables Home Insurance options avaliable on the Allianz website.
Check out Allianz Home Insurance to make sure your home and belongings are covered against burglaries this summer.
