The security experts at Yale have thoughtfully offered the guidance below, on how best to secure your valuable garden contents, as thefts from grounds are becoming much more common:

Many of us don’t realise the high value of the items we leave in our garden, and the fact that they’re mainly left unsecured means they’re easy targets to thieves. To make it worse, home insurance policies often don’t cover thefts from gardens and outbuildings.

With expensive barbecues, garden furniture and kids’ toys often left unsecured in our gardens overnight, it makes sense to invest in affordable and easy to use security solutions that will keep them secure.

Padlocks are ideal for securing costly toys and play equipment, as well as smaller garden tools. Yale offers weatherproof padlocks, which are specifically designed to withstand the great British weather all year round, even in exposed locations such as by the sea.

You may want to consider extra protection for your more valuable items. An anchor used in conjunction with a padlock and cable would be ideal to secure any garden furniture such as tables, chairs and benches. Anchors are also great for securing high-value items in your shed, such as a lawnmower or jet wash.

You can also secure expensive items such as barbeques, which are often left out in the garden overnight, to a heavy fixture using a steel security cable and a padlock. Yale’s steel cable is two metres in length, but can be lengthened by connecting two or more cables together with padlocks.

The featured Yale Home and Garden Padlock Set, consists of 3 x 51mm weatherproof padlocks and 4 keys, now available from a selection of major retailers and locksmiths from only £14.99.

For more information on the full range of outdoor security products from Yale, please visit the website.

I was pleased to accept Swann’s offer to trial their new ADW 300 digital wireless security camera and receiver. See our article dated October 25th 2009.

The camera was delivered on the day promised and the camera and other contents were securely packed and well protected. The camera, stand and all components were strong, smart and clearly of quality manufacture.

I found the operating instructions very clear with lots of illustrations to help understanding and enable a quick and easy set up of both the camera and receiver.

The interactive demos on the company’s website, also provided further useful information and illustrations about installation.

My Set-up was quickly achieved, thanks to the plug and play technology, in around 2hrs:

I placed the camera high up in a corner of my lounge with a clear view of the door, and the receiver was connected to a TV and computer in my office on the first floor.

I discovered it was necessary to avoid including a window in the camera view, as the long range of the camera picks up motion outside and triggers the alarm. Reducing the sensitivity of the sensor (users can do this in set-up) would have the same effect, if windows can’t be kept out of the frame.

The receiver layout and functions, including how to pair the camera to a channel, were clearly presented and explained in the instructions.

Installing the software went smoothly with no problems and the camera view was soon displayed on my computer screen:

A simulated control-centre image of a good size 16cm x 16cm, is displayed, with very clear layout and function controls.

The operation instruction booklet illustrates the layout in detail and each function is fully explained in its own section.

Testing the system.

• All functions on the Receiver worked well including the menu and zoom with camera movements.

• Software functions were easy to follow and the capture of video or pictures by scheduled times or motion only, could be quickly set up or changed. Don’t forget to save your settings!

• A choice of video or snap shot pictures is available to suit your preference.

• I preferred the high-resolution video images, which I found were extra clear and detailed in colour, for possible identification of an intruder.

• The infra-red beam for night time produced good pictures during darkness, however if I were fitting this camera, I would also install a light activated by a motion sensor – again for ID purposes.

• The events screen with time date worked well and the search facility by camera, time and mode is a real time saver.

• I experienced no interference on the camera system from my wireless network or vice versa.

There is a useful trouble-shooting guide in the booklet with answers to the main problems one might experience.

Overall I must say I was impressed with the versatile Swann ADW 300 Security Camera, which is ideal for indoor or outdoor use.

Visit the Swann Security website for more home security solutions.

Legal & General’s general insurance business annual online survey, ‘Safe as Houses’, which asks people for feedback and their views on home security and safety, is now live.

The survey aims to provide an understanding of home-owner’s security and safety concerns and what, if any, precautions they are taking.

The survey is running for a month until Friday 10 October 2008 and those people who complete the survey will be entered into a draw, to win John Lewis vouchers up to the value of £500.

Why not complete the short online survey today and you could win £500 John Lewis vouchers?

Research from L&G’s Changing Face of British Homes report, revealed that 34% of Brits said that they wouldn’t open a door to strangers, 37% have security lighting and 20% rely on a dog for their home security.

The company wants to know what you think, as your views and experience will help them to get a clearer picture of ‘home life’ and to understand customer needs for the future.

Your answer will be treated in confidence and the answers only used collectively, not individually to ensure your response is anonymous.

Elaine Parkes, Head of technical services for Legal & General’s general insurance business said: “As a household insurer who is concerned that our customers understand their insurance cover, we believe it is important to improve consumer awareness of home safety and security measures.”

Web: http://www.legalandgeneral.com/safeashouses
Tel: (0800) 02 77 156

The latest recorded crime figures for England and Wales includes a map of the most burgled cities in the UK, which highlights London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle as the main hot spots.

Although the statistics, show that crime is falling and that domestic burglary is in decline, with a drop of 4%, Legal & General is concerned that people should continue to be vigilant when it comes to their home security.

Therefore, they have produced a special booklet, Safeguarding Your Home, which provides useful tips and home security advice, to help homeowners and those renting to protect their property and possessions.

An recent online survey, ‘Safe as Houses’ by Legal & General, revealed that although we’re very good at putting home security features in place, we’re not so good at checking that they are still working.

For example, over 80% have a smoke alarm and nearly 30% a security alarm in their home; however less than 10% said that they have never checked their smoke alarm and worryingly over 50% admitted that they have never checked their security alarm.

The Crime in England and Wales 2007/2008 report, also found that households with no home security measures, were around ten times more likely to have been victims of burglary, than households where simple security measures such as deadlocks on doors, or window locks were fitted - so home security remains a key defence against being a victim of burglary!

For details of the, Safeguarding Your Home booklet and household insurance cover from Legal & General visit:

Web: http://www.legalandgeneral.com
Tel: (0800) 02 77 156

The clocks went back on October 29th, which not only signals that winter is on its way, but also means increased opportunities and rich pickings for thieves as the evenings get darker.

Police are warning householders to step up their general home security to prevent them becoming a victim of crime this winter.

Burglaries tend to rise at this time every year and the police think the peak comes, as the evenings get darker and it’s easier for burglars to see where homes are empty.

People go to work in the morning between 7am and 9pm and don’t return home until 6pm or 7pm in the evening, so their house may have been in darkness for two or three hours, causing it to stand out and become a target for intruders.

Police advise people to consider a number of simple measures in order to prevent break-ins, for example:

• Use an energy-efficient light bulb in a lamp combined with a lamp timer, in a position near the front door or window. This gives the impression that someone is at home, when the light is switched on and off.
• Protect your home - Having the right doors, windows and locks can make your home safer.
• Mark your property - A few simple actions can help you get your property back after a crime.

For further advice call your local crime prevention officer, or log on to the homeoffice website (below).

Web: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Before buying a home security system it is important to take a close look at your home, and your locality, to discover the type and level of crime or other problems that are most likely to affect the security of your home, family and possessions.

So it is a good idea to do a home security system review to ascertain the precise level of protection you require thus preventing expense on unnecessary equipment.

Assemble the Facts

• Call on the assistance of your local police crime prevention officer, the fire service, neighbourhood watch and your insurance company who will give you detailed statistics and advice regarding prevalent crimes in your area, including other incidents such as fire or flooding.
• Talk to your neighbours to determine their knowledge of local crime or vandalism.
• When developing your security assessment, imagine that you are a burglar targeting your home and assess the situation through his eyes, to include your locality, your fences and gates, garden/grounds, door locks and accessibility of doors and windows, etc.
• Your family’s personal routines are equally important, as obvious daily habits can make you an easier target for criminals.

Study your assembled facts and classify any problem areas according to the risks, which are now apparent and decide whether you are liable to become a victim.

Now take appropriate action to address the identified risks to your home and family.

A comprehensive home security review can reduce your home insurance costs, because such careful planning demonstrates to your insurance company how serious you are about protecting your home and possessions.

web: http://www.home-security-action.co.uk/home-security-checklist.html