When it comes to home security, many South Africans focus on locking doors and securing windows inside the house but often forget about outdoor structures like garages, sheds, patios, and braai areas. These spaces are frequently the weakest links in a home's security.
Thieves typically look for the easiest point of entry, and neglected outdoor areas often fit the bill. Garages and sheds usually contain valuable, easy-to-resell items, yet they’re rarely secured with the same care as main living spaces. Rusted padlocks, unsecured doors, and lack of surveillance make these areas attractive to criminals.
Common oversights include failing to change locks when moving into a new home, leaving tools and ladders lying around, or relying on outdated padlocks that are easy to break. Even if an alarm system is in place, it often doesn’t extend to outdoor areas, a major vulnerability.
Improving your security setup not only reduces your risk of a break-in but can also positively impact your insurance premiums. Simple upgrades such as motion-sensor lights, adding outdoor areas to your alarm system, and trimming overgrown bushes that could conceal intruders make a big difference.
Here are some steps to better protect outdoor assets:
- Change all locks when moving into a new property.
- Secure garages and sheds with four-lever or double-cylinder locks.
- Install motion-sensor lights around the perimeter.
- Add your garage and shed to your alarm zone setup.
- Trim overgrown hedges or bushes that could serve as hiding spots.
- Keep tools, ladders, and equipment locked away when not in use.
- Secure duplicate keys in a lockbox or safe, never under flowerpots or doormats.
By treating outdoor structures with the same importance as the interior of your home, you not only protect your belongings but also create visible deterrents that reduce the likelihood of being targeted.
