Staycation security: the rise of high-value outdoor living space protection
The way we use our homes is evolving. More frequent summer heatwaves, the rise of staycations and a growing desire to make the most of our homes are encouraging homeowners to invest in their outdoor spaces. Gardens are no longer simply places to mow the lawn; they have become valuable extensions of the home, used for relaxing, entertaining, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
While indoor security is often prioritised, outdoor spaces can be overlooked despite containing valuable assets and becoming a bigger part of everyday life.
New outdoor risks and vulnerabilities
The growth of outdoor living brings new security challenges. Gardens, sheds, outbuildings and external areas of the property can all become targets for opportunistic theft, particularly during the warmer months when they are used more frequently and valuable items are left outside more regularly.
Recent claims data highlights the seasonal risk across Europe. Tesco Insurance reported that home theft claims in the UK increased by 28% between July and August, while thefts from garden sheds rose by 61% between 2023 and 2024.
The issue is not limited to the UK. Research from Allianz Direct in the Netherlands found that more than one in six homeowners have experienced theft from their garden or balcony.
Looking beyond the front door
Protecting outdoor living spaces requires more than securing the main building or property boundary alone. Driveways, garden gates, side passages, walkways and routes around the home can all provide opportunities for unauthorised access.
That is why a layered security approach makes sense. Perimeter protection can be used to secure fences, walls and property boundaries, while outdoor sensors can help protect driveways, side passages and other routes around the property. Patios, sheds, garages, annexes and other outdoor entertaining areas can then be covered as additional layers within the wider system.
Modern gardens have evolved into fully equipped outdoor living spaces, making them an increasingly valuable, yet often overlooked, part of the home.
Protecting those investments means thinking beyond the front door and taking a more proactive approach to security. By starting at the perimeter and introduced layered protection across the wider property, homeowners can better protect the spaces they use most and enjoy outdoor living with greater confidence.
