3 Ways To Make Your Backyard Safer

The backyard of a home is a wonderful place. It is private, but it is also out in the open to nature. This presents an amazing opportunity for decoration and design, but it also creates some very unique security concerns. Even though protecting the outside may seem like an insurmountable task, there are several things you can do to take a step toward better safety.

These three tips add layers of multifaceted protection, so your backyard becomes a safer environment for everyone. By implementing these precautions, your backyard will be more secure against criminals, pests, animals, and even accidental self-harm.

Secure the Perimeter

Having a secure backyard perimeter encompasses a few different security measures. Most often a home will have a fence or a wall to protect the backyard or at least denote the separation between two properties’ yards. A fence and a wall are not the same things. A wall is a solid and thick barrier, and it is often made out of rock, stone, or concrete.

A fence will have panels, pieces, or bars. Often fences will be constructed in a way that allows onlookers somewhat of a glimpse into the backyard. With a fence, it is best to move any valuables away from the possible viewing points. With a wall, this is not as big of a concern, as long as the wall is taller than the eye line of the average person.

Both a fence and a wall must not only obscure, but they must also protect. They will act as a deterrent for would-be criminals and even some animals. Animals that can climb, or fly, will almost always be able to breach the perimeter security, but ground-bound pests such as coyotes, deer, etc., may try to jump the boundary or slip through a gap.

Humans will be more easily discouraged. Items like spikes can look both ornate and menacing. To your average passing neighbor, the fence/wall will look nice, but a criminal will see those points as a hassle.

Similarly, you can decide to grow roses along the outside of your wall or fence. Make sure if you are going to grow roses that you warn the children in the home and/or neighborhood of the dangers of playing near it.

The biggest issue will be gate security. A gate is a mobile portion of the boundary, which will move to allow access to the yard. Because this is a potential opening, it will need more security than other areas. If your gate security is compromised, then the purpose of the fence or wall is defeated.

Not only will there be a way into the backyard, but there will also be an easy exit point, which will allow more to be stolen. Gates need high-grade locks, and they should be difficult if not impossible to access from the front of the home.

If a criminal can easily access the lock, then they can potentially pick the device, or break it off the hasp. Because an animal or person has to leave by getting over a fence or a tall wall, then they will not be able to leave with very much. A secure gate keeps a lot of things from even being attempted.

Lighting

Getting better lighting for your backyard is one of the easiest and most practical security precautions. More visibility will allow anyone in the backyard at night to see. This will keep them safe from things like tripping, stepping on animals, and may also discourage burglars.

Lights that can be kept turned on are perfect if you, or members of the household, spend any extended amount of time outside during the night. A light switch inside the home will be the most useful. This will protect the electronic switch from the elements, and allow you to shed some more light on the outside while you are still protected inside the house.

This light may scare off roaming animals, criminals, or just give you some peace of mind without forcing you to leave the home to investigate a sound, which may have been just the wind. Another great addition to backyard security is motion-activated outdoor lights.

These will act more like an alarm. Where your attention may not be attracted enough to investigate movement in your backyard while you are sleeping, watching TV, playing music, etc., a light turning on will direct your focus. The sensitivity of the newer motion sensors can be calibrated to pick up different levels of movement.

It is best to check the direction and sensitivity of the light, by running your own tests in the yard. Move plants, as the wind, would, with varying intensities. Try and walk around the yard without setting off the light. By trying to undermine your own security in these ways, you will be making it stronger.

Yard Maintenance

Making sure that your yard is well kept will offer several different types of protection. The first is that a clean-looking yard will have fewer obstructions for residents, pets, and visitors to deal with. Obstructions, such as brush, holes, unused furniture/equipment, create tripping hazards.

With the potential for falling, there is the inevitability of harm. Often this issue is disregarded because residents feel that the obstructions are visible enough to be avoided. As soon as the sun sets, visibility is hindered, if not removed completely.

Even with outside lights, severe shadows obscure objects on the ground, or those up against buildings. It is best to simply remove obstructions. A well-maintained backyard will also protect the home from unwanted animal residency. The heavy brush can lead to rodents such as rats and mice looking for shelter.

The presence of rodents will then attract snakes and other predators. With unattended lumber or dead trees, termites may set up camp in your backyard. This can lead to the damage of any wooden furniture that is in the open, as well as possibly spreading the infestation to the home.

The type of pest will depend on your exact location, but whatever animals you are vulnerable to getting will inevitably arrive. Wild animals live in the wild, and the closer your backyard is to the wilderness, the more enticing it is going to be for them to make their home there.

A rarely considered protection that maintaining your backyard gives you is burglary and/robbery prevention. Criminals do not want to be seen. If there are places for them to hide, then they will take that opportunity.

Even with motion sensor lights, a wild backyard is going to give enough shrouds of darkness to allow a nefarious individual to sleuth about. The reason for their presence may also be the unkempt nature of your backyard.

The presence of loose tools, furniture, etc. can attract the eye of criminals looking to grab something quickly. The dry brush may also lead wildfires directly to your front door. Natural disasters can even be more devastating than animals and criminals.

Using one of these methods to the exclusion of the others will create weakness in your security. The best safety is achieved through diversification and balance. Good lighting will make a messy backyard safer, but as previously stated, the clutter prevents residents from being able to see everything.

Perhaps the most important part of backyard safety is perimeter security. That is the first line of defense, but it cannot be the only consideration. No security is ever perfect, and that is how layering will assist you. Find what works best for you, and get on the path to protecting your backyard.

Author Bio: Ralph Goodman is a professional locksmith and an expert writer on all things locks and security over at the Lock Blog. The Lock Blog is a great resource to learn about keys, locks, and safety. They offer tips, advice, and how-tos for consumers, locksmiths, and security professionals.

Start Shopping for Security Solutions!