4th December 2008

With winter just around the corner, you’d be forgiven for not putting the garden right at the top of your list of priorities just now. But, advises RIAS, specialist insurer for the over 50s, it’s important for everyone to attend to their outdoor space to protect their property over the dormant months ahead.

Winter-proofing the garden is not just about dead-heading plants, mulching the borders and wrapping tender perennials in horticultural fleece, although jobs like these are important. It’s about remembering to protect your other garden assets too, such as outdoor furniture, ornaments, barbeques, games and equipment. Garden theft is a growing problem, and thieves don’t limit their activity to the summer months.

 

“Sadly garden theft goes on all year round, and thieves can strike at any time,” says RIAS Managing Director Janet Connor. “We have found the incidence of garden burglary claims has gone up substantially year-on-year. Opportunists can prey on trusting, or disorganised, householders who haven’t stored things away while not in use and while attention is drawn indoors. Also the longer nights of winter can help unwelcome visitors maintain low visibility and avoid detection, so it’s worth taking a few precautionary steps now to prevent distress and financial loss later on. Being covered by the appropriate insurance to protect yourself in the event of garden theft or damage is essential.”

 

RIAS advises winter-proofing your garden by carrying out the following simple checks:

 

· Make sure your household insurance policy covers the garden and its contents, too. Some insurers, such as RIAS, offer specific garden cover as an add-on option for as little as just 7p per day.

· If your garden furniture can be stored away, and you have room for it in a lockable shed or garage, make sure it’s clean and dry and then store it away until Spring. This will also help extend the life of the furniture.

· Put away any temporary lighting, such as storm lanterns or garden flares. Do the same with any small ornaments or statues that are easily lifted.

· Make sure your garden is well lit by security lighting – motion detectors are useful.

· Take time to check that fencing is in good condition, and consider installing a robust gate, fitting with a bolt, to limit access from the front to the back of your property.

· Put away all tools and equipment and secure shed or outbuilding with a good quality, heavy duty and waterproof padlock.

· Try to keep any valuable items, including barbeques, out of sight. If storing in the garden shed, make sure they can’t be easily seen through the windows (furniture and barbeque covers are cheap to buy, and useful for this purpose).

· Never leave the garage or shed unlocked.