What is the best way to keep your tools secure?

With tool theft on the increase, secure tool and workshop storage is becoming increasingly important. Gangs of tool thieves are targeting vans and garden sheds looking for power tools to steal and these stolen items are usually sold on at car boot sales.

In Cambridge 22 cars and vans have been targeted by tool thieves in the space of a week and thieves have been walking away with hundreds of pounds worth of items. Recently, police recovered more than 150 power tools from a house in London. These tools included drills, chainsaws and angle grinders.

Make sure your tools are locked away

Make sure your tools are locked away

Making sure you tools are locked away securely, will not only keep your tools safe, but it can also keep your home and property protected too. As many thieves steal tools and use them to break into people’s homes.

How do you keep tools safe?

For the best protection for your tools, make sure they are locked out of sight. Asgard Secure Steel Storage offers a range of high security workshop storage units to provide security for your tools and equipment.

Secure Workshop Storage

Secure Workshop Storage

Asgard workshop storage is made from strong weatherproof steel and has been fitted with the best security features, such as a pick resistant locking mechanism and 5 point locking system to keep thieves out. The reinforced hinges, doors and panels also make this an extremely tough storage unit. Find out more about these high security workshops, by visiting the Asgard Website.

Tool theft increase in the UK

January 2013 has seen many reports of tool theft, in various areas of the country.  Police in Galloway, believe that gangs of power tool thieves are operating in Stewartry, as a large haul of tools has been stolen from properties in a two week period totalling £10,000. Items that these thieves are targeting are nail guns, cordless drills and other electric tools.

Bracknell has also fallen foul to tool thieves, as police have recovered chainsaws, leaf-blowers, hedge trimmer and hand- drills, however the thefts have yet to be reported by victims.

These thefts highlight the importance of secure tool storage, to prevent theft and keep your tools safe. So how do you keep tools safe?

Tool security tips:

  • Never leave tools in a van or car, especially in plain view.
  • Mark your tools with your postcode.
  • Lock your tools away securely.

The best way to protect your tools from theft is by locking your tools away securely. A range of workshop storage is available from Asgard.  These metal workshop storage units form Asgard Secure Steel Storage are made from strong weatherproof steel and are fitted with tough features to keep thieves out.

Keep your tools secure in Asgard workshop Storage

Keep your tools secure in Asgard workshop Storage

“I only have a wooden garage, so I am always concerned about breakins.  These days we don’t have the money to upgrade the garage so this was ideal for us.  Very strong and really heavy – Bolting down to the floor is an excellent idea”. John

A pick resistant locking mechanism, strong locking system and reinforced components all help to offer the best security for tools.

Find out more about Asgard workshop storage units on the Asgard website.

Why Do Garden Accidents Happen?

How To Prevent Gardening injuries

Why Do Garden Accidents Happen?

  • people take shortcuts
  • lack of skill or training to ensure that the job is done safely
  • ignorance of potential risks
  • lack of planning and preparation
  • and, of course, bad luck; being in the wrong place at the wrong time

Making your garden safer

  • Design a garden so that it reduces the need for high maintenance and lifting.
  • Avoid trip hazards such as loose paving slabs, hosepipes left unravelled or uneven surfaces.
  • Use surfaces that provide a good grip underfoot.
  • Avoid the garden if possible when conditions are icy and slippery.
  • Empty paddling pools after children have finished playing in them.
  • Learn which plants are poisonous and ensure children and pets stay away from them.
  • Electrical equipment should never be used in wet weather.
  • Use an RCD (residual current device) to prevent electric shocks. It cuts out the flow of electricity when a cable or flex is cut through.
  • Lock away chemicals such as weedkillers and insecticides. Just because they have the words ‘organic’ or ‘bio’ on them, does not make them safe for children to touch.
  • Wear safety equipment – such as goggles, hard hats, gloves and steel toecapped boots – when using machinery. Tuck in loose items of clothing.
  • Never leave a barbecue unattended and make sure the flames are extinguished before going to bed.
  • If you are in the least bit unsure about the safety of tackling a job, call in professionals.
What is the right lawnmower for you?

Take care in the garden

 Pond safety

  • Position the pond where it can be seen from the house.
  • Design the pond with gently sloping edges – this is safer than a sudden drop into deep water.
  • Cover small ponds with a combination of heavy-duty wooden trellis and wire mesh. Safety grids that sit just below the surface of the water are also available from a number of retailers.
  • Put a fence around large ponds to ensure children cannot access them.
  • Grow plants around the deeper side of a pond to stop children getting near the edge.

Personal safety equipment

Around 300,000 individuals in the UK attended Accident and Emergency departments after having an accident in the garden in 2004. Some 87,000 people were actually injured while gardening.

The lawnmower tops the list of the most dangerous pieces of equipment, with 6,500 lawnmower related accidents reported each year. Suprisingly the innocuous flowerpot is the second most dangerous tool, causing 5,300 accidents, with falls, cuts and lifting injuries some of the most common types of accident recorded.

Many of the following points might sound like common sense, but it’s incredible how many people end up in hospital because they haven’t taken basic safety precautions in the garden.

Expert Information courtesy of the bbc

Tools you should have in your tool box

 

If you are new to home maintenance and don’t know where to start, having a set of the right tools is essential. A tool box full of essential tools will help you to complete most jobs around the house and will save you loads of money by being able to do it yourself!

Empty tool box? This is what you should have:

Screwdrivers

You will need both a flat head screwdriver and a Phillips screwdriver. A flathead screwdriver has a single blade suitable for flathead screw, whereas a Phillips screwdriver has a four star point, fitting into a Phillips screw head. It is a good idea to get Phillips screwdrivers in varying sizes for different projects.

Wrenches

There is a variety of wrenches out there, but for starting off your toolbox the Crescent wrench is probably the best choice. This is adjustable, as it has a sliding jaw which changes the width, allowing you to use it on different size nuts and bolts.

Hammer

A hammer is an essential part of your tool box. They can be used for putting nails into wood and can also be used to do demolition. Be sure not to go for something too heavy and make sure it is comfortable to use.

Tape measure

You will always find a need for your trusty tape measure, no matter what job you are doing it is sure to come in handy. Make sure you include this in your tool box.

Level

Don’t want wonky pictures or wall mounted TV? Then you will need this in your tool box to prevent crooked wall hangings.

Pliers

You’ll need pliers if you are planning on doing any electric work within your home. They are good for cutting, bending, gripping and stripping wire.

Cordless drill

For when a screwdriver just won’t cut it, some projects just can’t be done without it. Drill holes, put in screws and take screw out easily with a cordless drill.

Crosscut saw

You’d be surprised at how many times you’ll need a saw, when trying to fix things or carry out project in the home. This type of saw is a good general purpose saw, which cuts against the grain of the wood.

Utility knife

For cutting and scraping, you will find plenty of tasks that call for this sharp blade. Blades are cheap and easily replaceable, so this item is sure to last you a long time.

 

As your collection grows and you become more experienced and start to challenge yourself with your DIY, the time will come when you have to move away from your toolbox and into something bigger. The garden shed or garage is a great place to store your tools and you could even turn them into a workshop. If you don’t have these facilities at your home, but have room for a metal storage unit, why not try a workshop storage unit specifically designed to keep your tools safe? These workshop storage units are available from Asgard, and offer many security features to keep your tools safe.

How to keep your DIY tools in the best condition

 

If you love DIY, you probably love your tools. Show them you care and keep them well maintained. Check out these tips on how to keep your tools well maintained and prolong their life.

Power tools

Check the cord on your power tools regularly. A cord in good condition should be free of abrasions and cuts. To keep them in the best condition, try and keep cords away from high traffic areas and avoid them being stood on as this can cause damage.

Look after your tools

 

Clean your workshop

If you are lucky enough to have a workshop for your tools, try and keep it clean. Sawdust and resin can get inside your tools and can cause damage to components, this is a particular problem with power tools. Clean build up as often as possible as this will reduce the amount of damage caused.

Clean your tools

Make sure you clean your tools after every use, this will prevent debris from building up. Wipe tools down with a rag before storing away, so that they are clean and ready to be used again.

Store your tools in a safe place

Storing your tools in a safe place will help to prolong their life. Asgard workshop storage is the perfect solution for keeping your tools safe and try. These tough workshop storage units are specifically designed to offer the best storage for your tools. Full of features and Insurance Approved, they are incredibly secure and safe. The Asgard Workshop Storage range is made from strong weatherproof steel and feature a tough 5 point locking system, pick resistant locking mechanism and also include a tool rail to keep your tools organised.

Asgard Workshop Storage

 

This tool maintenance will help expand your tools life span significantly, saving you money in the long run.

Information provided by mytoolshed.co.uk 

Don’t be a tool theft victim

If you love DIY and home projects, you have probably accumulated a vast and expensive range of tools to carry out every odd maintenance job you could possibly think of. You now have so many tools, there’s no more room for them in the house. If you’re on the verge of being banished out of the house, we have the perfect storage solution.

Asgard has a range of workshop storage, perfect for your tools. These workshop storage units are insurance approved, which is great for your expensive items. Made from tough weatherproof steel, you will struggle to find anything stronger. Incredibly secure, with pick resistant locks and 5 point locking systems. These workshop storage sheds have reinforced doors, hinges and panels. We’d like to see a thief try and get into one of these! See the range here>

With tool theft a problem, security and protection are the best forms of prevention.  Thieves are breaking into shed and garages, taking anything of value. Tools are particularly useful to thieves, as they can use them for future break-ins and can even use them to gain access to your home.Don’t leave yourself wide open to theft.

What is a shed used for?

What is a shed?

To us here at Asagrd a shed is everything.  We design sheds, we make sheds, we love sheds of all sizes and shapes – sheds for tool storage, sheds for bike storage even a shed for storing your motorbike.  But what is the actual “proper” meaning of the word shed??

A shed is typically a simple, single- story structure in a back garden or on an allotment that is used for storage, hobbies, or asa workshop. The modern Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines sheds as a “slight structure built for shelter or storage, or for use as a workshop, either a separate building or attached to a permanent building as a lean-to; often with open front or sides.

Sheds vary considerably in the complexity of their construction and their size, from small open-sided tin-roofed structures to large wood-framed sheds with shingled roofs, windows, and electrical outlets. Sheds used on farms or in industry can be large structures.

Shed Types:

Small domestic sheds

The simplest, least expensive sheds are available in kit form. Both shed kits and “do-it-yourself” plans are available for wooden sheds. Sheds are used to store home and garden tools and equipment such as push lawn mowers, lawn tractors, and gardening supplies. In addition, sheds can be used to store items or products that are not suitable for indoor storage, such as gasoline, pesticides, or herbicides.

For homes with small gardens or modest storage needs, there are several types of very small sheds. These include corner sheds, which fit into a corner (3’ tall x 3’ wide x 2’ deep), vertical sheds(5’ tall x 3’ wide x 4’ deep), horizontal sheds (3’ tall x 5’ wide x 4’deep), and toolsheds. When a shed is used for tool storage, shelves and hooks are often used to maximize the storage space. Gambrel-style roofed sheds, which resemble a Dutch-stylebarn have a high sloping roofline which increases storage space inthe ‘loft’. Another style of small shed is the saltbox-style shed.

Its a shed and we love sheds

Larger domestic sheds

Larger, more expensive sheds are typically constructed of wood and include features typically found in house construction, such as windows, a shingled roof, and electrical outlets. Larger sheds provide more space for engaging in hobbies such as gardening, small engine repair, or tinkering. Some sheds have small porches or include furniture, which allows them to be used for relaxation purposes. In some cases, teleworkers and home workers in general who live in mild climates use small- to medium-sized wooden garden sheds as outdoor offices. There is a growing industry in providing “off the peg” garden offices to cater for this demand, particularly in the UK but also in the US. Shed owners can customize wooden sheds to match the features (e.g., siding,trim, etc.) of the main house. A number of decorative options canbe added to sheds, such as dormers, shutters, flower boxes, finials, and weathervanes. As well, practical options can be added such as benches, ramps, ventilation systems (e.g., in cases wherea swimming pool heater is installed in a shed), and electric lighting.  Sheds designed for gardening, called “potting sheds”, often feature windows or skylights for illumination, ventilation grilles, and a potter’s bench for mixing soil and re-potting plants.

 

Specific-use sheds

Bike sheds  (also called bicycle sheds) usually contain a framework on which bikes can be supported and locked. Bike sheds range from little more than a supported roof to more complex structures with walls and locking doors.

Boat sheds  (also called boatsheds) are lockable wooden sheds built near a body of water to store small private boats, bathing suits, and related items. Boat sheds used for rowing clubs are large structures for storing skiffs.

Tool sheds

Tool sheds are often found on allotments, where rakes, lawnmowers and other high value equipment is kept.  Often several thousand pounds of equipment can be found in these often poorly constructed wooden structures.

lawnmower sheds are used for storing lawnmowers!

Agricultural sheds

Farm sheds and other outbuildings are used to store farm equipment, tractors, tools, hay, and supplies, or to house horses, cattle, poultry or other farm animals. Run-in sheds are three-sided structures with an open face used for horses and cattle.

Shearing sheds can be large sheds found on sheep stations to accommodate large-scale sheep shearing.

Lawn Mower sheds

Not a common site in the UK.  These are often large structures suitable for ride on mowers.  Often the mowers will be kept with fuel and basic maintenance equipment.  So these sheds often need to be very secure.

The best allotment sheds are from Asgard

Railway sheds

Engine sheds are structures used for the maintenance or storage of railway locomotives. In Britain these are also called Motive Power Depots.

Goods sheds are railway buildings designed for storing goods before or after carriage in a train.

Train sheds are buildings adjacent to a railway station where the tracks and platforms are covered by a roof. The first train shed was built in 1830 at Liverpool’s Crown Street Station.

Snow sheds are strongly-built timber or reinforced concrete tunnels that protect railroad tracks (or roads) from avalanches.

Miscellaneous sheds

 In 19th century military barracks, sheds were used as auxiliary buildings for various purposes. The Royal Artillery park barracks in Halifax used sheds as gun sheds, carriage sheds, repair sheds, wheel sheds, wagon sheds and storage sheds

Asgard secure steel storage – the no1 uk manufacturer’s of metal sheds.

thanks to the internet for this information!

Asgard Garden Storage 2 years on

Asgard have been kicking around for a few years now – we love to hear from our customers and as part of our on-going commitment we always contact our customers for feedback on the “Asgard Experience” Below is one such experience 2 years on.

“Good morning.

This may be a surprise but as promised, here is my shed update!  The Asgard has been great for the last two years or so.  We get some pretty harsh weather here and as you can see we are very exposed.

I know you were eager to know about condensation in such an exposed area – I can honestly say that we have not had a drop of condensation inside the shed.  As instructed we put a proper concrete base down and the shed has been totally dry.

asgard garden security metal sheds



The only problem we have had is the handle occasionally freezes, so as per your instructions a little warm water and it’s free!

After 2 years the units is totally rust free, the paint has not faded in any way and it all works as it should.
A 1st class garden shed”.

Many thanks

S

UKbikeforum.co.uk bike security advice

Another excellent article from one of the best online bike sites there is!  http://www.ukbikeforum.co.uk

“Well, its one of those subjects every single one of us will know too much about. I personally have had a bike stolen and it’s not good. Bikes aren’t just transport for the majority of us they are a lot more, so when the worst happens it can be soul destroying. So, I have taken it upon myself to write an article on bike theft. Not only that but how to stop it happening to you.

My first bike, a brand new DT125R, was my baby. I didn’t have a garage at the time so it lived on my driveway under a cover with the biggest lock my money could buy through the rear wheel and through a high tensile custom made loop, its self sunk into four feet of concrete. I was taking no chances. As always there was a ‘However’. On returning from a friend’s after a drink I found only my lock, lying on the floor in two pieces. I was gutted, my baby was gone. All those sunny afternoons learning to wheelie, pulling girls at McDonalds… All gone!!! No More!!!

My insurance paid up 2 months later and all was well. But I learned a few valuable lessons from that afternoon which I’d like to share with you.

When the police came round to have a look (shockingly they did!) they didn’t seem surprised. I remember one looking at the lock up-close and just nodding I asked him how they got the lock off. “Easy…” he replied.

What he told me stuck with me and to be honest is a frightening thought. I was told basically my lock had been ‘frozen’ with a liquid Oxygen type chemical used by plumbers to freeze pipes for quick jobs to avoid turning off the water. When this is done it makes the metal very brittle and easy to cut through with a large pair of bolt croppers.

Although this is not as effective against some new chains on the market today, it will still work against 80% of chains sold in shops and most likely wrapped round the wheels of your pride and joy as you read this. When I brought my first bike I wasn’t rich and couldn’t afford £150+ for a top of the range chain and lock Not many people can afford this but there is a few simple cost effective things you can do to help protect your bike..

Commuters - could you afford to lose your bike?

1: Lock it up…

Sounds simple but more the merrier. A chain on the rear wheel and a disc lock on the front is enough to ward off all but the most hardened scum… Err thief!

2: Lock it to something…

Even the most expensive lock in the world is not enough to stop a group of scum/thieves lifting your bike, loading it into a van and driving off. If you have a ground anchor make sure it’s fitted according the manufacturers instructions. A badly sunk bolt can be drilled out very simply. If you cannot afford a ground anchor or don’t have the room, looping your main chain through anything heavy can have the desired affective garden furniture, lawnmowers, piano’s, family members etc.

LOOK OUT FOR BIKE THIEVES

3: Buy The Best…

If you’re not that well off, let’s face it with all money the government swindles us out of just to ride, it’s not many of us! Buy the best lock your budget can afford. Ride recommended locks can be bought from as little as £95.Sounds a lot but ask yourself if it is really worth losing your bike for the sake of it?

4: Location, Location, Location…

Where you keep your bike when you’re not on it says a lot about you. My new bike lives in my kitchen… with a chain on it! If you have a garage, USE IT!!! It is a pain last thing at night, in the rain but so is getting up to find your bike gone. 

Lock it up in your garage. Don’t just chuck it in and forget it make sure. Another idea is to fit a barrier on your garage’s door. Many styles are available and at prices well worth a look. If you don’t have a garage the best thing you can do is keep your baby out of sight. Whether that means in your house, down an alley or even with a cover over it, it all helps”.

Garden theft – How to improve your garden security

Useful Garden Security advice from the Police

Introduction

Your garden, as well as your house, has valued possessions that thieves would love to steal. It also has equipment that could help them break into your house.

Most burglars are lazy. They look for easy ways of getting into a house or garden. By taking a few simple precautions you can reduce the risk of being burgled and make your house and garden more secure.

Natural protection

One of the best ways to keep thieves out is to use nature’s own defence mechanisms to stop intruders. A barrier of prickly hedge may be all the protection you need around your property. Here are some suggestions for plants to use.

We have tried to identify the plants mentioned by their correct botanical name, but we cannot guarantee that the plant you buy will not grow into a small, fragrant flowering shrub with no more thorns than a daisy.

hedges provide excellent garden security

Creeping Juniper

Juniperis horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’ – Also known as ‘Blue Rug’ because it has long branches and its prostrate shape forms a flattened blue carpet. It has a thorny stem and foliage.

Blue Spruce

Picea pungens ‘Globosa’ – Rigid branches, irregular dense blue, spiky needles. Height 1-1.25m x 75cm – 1 m. Slow growing. Moist rich soil.

Common Holly

Ilex agulfolium – Large evergreen shrub, dark green spiked leaves. Large red berries on female plants only. Any well drained soil. Plant with garden compost and bone-meal.

Giant Rhubarb

(Gunnera manicata)- Giant rhubarb-like leaves on erect stems, abrasive foliage. Can grow up to 2.5m high. Plant by water-side for effect.

 

Golden Bamboo

Phyllostachys aurea- Very graceful, forming thick clumps of up to 3.5m high. Less invasive than other bamboos. Hardy. Young shoots in spring.

Chinese Jujube

Zizyphus sativa – Medium sized tree with very spiny pendulous branches. Leaves glossy bright green. Bears clusters of small yellow flowers.

Firethorn

Pyracantha ‘Orange Glow’ – Flowers white in June, with bright orange-red berries. Thorny stem. Height 10-15ft. Suitable for north or east-facing wall or as impenetrable hedging.

Shrub Rose

Although they will take some time to grow, the end result justifies the effort. They should deter even the most determined burglar.

Hedges and shrubs in the front garden should be kept to a height of no more than 3 feet in order to avoid giving a burglar a screen behind which he can conceal himself.

For further information and advice please contact the crime prevention officer at your local police station.

Stop garden thieves: If you see or hear anything suspicious, dial 999

What you can do to improve your garden security

Put away all tools and equipment and ensure that all outside sheds and store cupboards are securely locked when not in use.

Bring the tools inside if you do not have a garden shed or outbuilding.

Use plant protection – such as thorny shrubs.

Install outside security lighting which comes on automatically.

If you have a burglar alarm, why not extend it to cover outbuildings and sheds?

Photograph valuable garden plants or ornaments.

Mark your property with your postcode. This makes stolen property easier to trace and it can be positively identified as yours.

Check that your household insurance policy covers theft from your garden and outbuildings.

If you have a local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, why not join?

If you have a burglary, don’t move or touch anything, just ring 999.

Information from the http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention website

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