Don't be a shed head
Written by Chris Evans
Have you locked your shed?
A new survey has revealed that the average shed now holds £988 worth of contents, but almost half of homeowners leave them unlocked at times.
The poll by M&S Money found that the average shed now holds almost £1,000 worth of contents, which is a 10 per cent increase over last year.
However, despite the growing cost of items in sheds, 49 per cent of respondents admitted that they leave their shed unlocked at times, while almost a fifth (18 per cent) said they frequently leave their shed unlocked and a mere 12 per cent felt that their shed was very secure against burglary.
Lawnmowers were found to be the most expensive items that people keep in their sheds, followed by bikes and DIY equipment and tools.
Andrew Ferguson, M&S Head of General Insurance, said: "The value of items kept in sheds can mount up. We would urge householders to check what security measures they may need to demonstrate to ensure any claims made are valid."
Tips to help secure garden sheds include:
- Fix a lock or padlock on the door of the shed
- Fit locks to windows and ensure they are kept shut
- When not in use ensure the shed is locked, especially at night
- Lock belongings in the shed overnight after use (i.e. barbecues, bicycles etc) items left in the garden may not be covered for theft
- Don't leave expensive items in direct view, where they can be seen by thieves. If possible, fit a blind over windows so that contents cannot be seen.