Sad that this question even has to be asked! But, I guess it's a sign of the times. In addition to your motion sensor lights, maybe some audible alarm sensor gizmos could be affixed to the chaises? I hear bad guys hate lights and noise. Chaining them down or lugging them in every night would be way last on my list. I'd move first!

Way back when I first moved to the South, I was so impressed with the level of trust and accessibility everywhere. Stores left merchandise (plants and such) out all night after closing, post office lobbys were open 24/7, government offices/buildings were open to the public w/in operational hours - it was such a different world.

I'm sorry you have to worry about your unfenced yard and a few years ago I would have considered you to be just a little too cautious, but not now. Try adding some sound to your lights, and get a really big dog!

Thanks for the ideas guys.

Our town was rated as a best burb in those rankings they do, but theft is everywhere,unfortunately :(

I thought I might've sounded over-concerned but I guess that would be quite noisy were a burglar to go fumbling with patio furniture. lol

But I have read on the internet reports of patio furniture bandits, seriously. lol

I live in a neighborhood where this is a big problem. My friend had beautiful vintage porch furniture removed from her front yard. Probably for scrap metal! And a granny around the corner once had her old glider stolen too. I was so outraged.

Here people chain things and then use the dog "pins" (which they actually no longer sell because it's now illegal to pin your dog to the ground on it's chain here) which screw deeply into the ground.

Heck, there have been reports in the newspapers here of plant thieves (literally digging out shrubs, etc., not just hijacking portable potted plants!- well, they do that too) so your concerns are not off the wall!

Decades ago, I spent some time in the Newport Beach area of CA. The glitzy homes there are right on the beach where the deer and the buffaloe roam, if you get my drift. Anyway, most had oceanfront patios w/uber expensive furnishings ...... all chained down! Esthetically totally off-putting to me, but in all practicality, that's what had to be done to retain their posessions. Granted, this was before gated communities had a grip on things, now I'm sure it's very different.

So, do what you have to do - light, sound, tar pits - and don't let the bad guys get you down! And a big, vocal dog doesn't hurt either! :o)

ggg, sorry for your neighborhood's losses - what a bummer! So, first, I can't imagine tying down lawn furniture with those corkscrew tie outs - effective maybe, but really ugly ... but otoh, better a bit ugly than a lot gone.

And (light bulb moment), they don't have to be ugly if screwed deep enough into the ground! Bingo - think I may have a good idea brewing ....

If flowermum feels the need for intense 'nailed down' security, a variation on just that dog tie-out product might work. I'll wait to hear from her before boring y'all further. Just a thought.

Oh I appreciate all info and thanks to everyone!

I've been researching the doggy tie-down thingys. We don't have any pets so I'm not real familiar with the tie-downs...but the tie-downs sound like the way to go.

I've never heard of my neighbor's missing any patio furniture but trailers have been stolen and recovered, thankfully, and wood working shops have been broken into and lots of tools were taken, but to my knowledge none of the homes here have been burglarized.

I just would rest easier knowing there was some measure of security taken instead of just leaving them sitting there screaming, "come and get me." LOL

crazy world, eh? just had a flashback to the Judds' "Grandpa." I love that song.

flowermum, are the chairs made of steel? if so, would you consider cementing their legs into place. You could set the legs onto cement feet (dug in so it's not visible).

It's a crazy world indeed. If trailers can be stolen, a tie down screw which I do have, will not be enough a deterrent.

They're the iron/metal. That sounds like a good idea but I'd like to move them around. I think they're a lot of fun. They have the big wheels and can be easily rolled to any location. And I get bored easily and would want to rearrange and redecorate. lol

: )

Well, hopefully this is much ado about nothing and your patio furniture won't be in any bad person's crosshairs!

That said, I will admit to getting very cranky when neer-do-wells made off with chairs and a table from outside my store (left out accidentally) and I was sooo crushed.

Meanwhile, I do have furnishings in front of my house - never bothered - and furnishings in my backyard (fence protected for all but the very determined), also never bothered.

So, maybe this won't be a problem or concern for you?? Maybe ...... ??

Hope so .....

Well here's an idea. Try chaining it down to a block of concrete but bury the piece so that it's not visible. Paint the chain so it's not apparent. This way, when you decide to move your chair about, just unlock it. Thieves will have difficulty pulling it away and if they don't spot the chain, they won't come equiped with tools to cut the chain. I recall a police man telling me that most thefts are random and they do size up a situation based on how easy it would be to steal and in the SHORTEST amount of time.

Ianna,

Thank you! Great idea! Problem solved!

Zigzag, I pray no one will take any interest in my chairs, but even you were upset about your chairs and table being taken. I'm an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure kinda girl. lol

And I'm glad you mentioned you have furnishings in front of your house because I really wanted to make a front entertainment area in the yard. I know it's traditionally done in the back but I enjoy the front as much as the back.

thanks again everyone!

oh this is despicable. The topic really upsets me. I had plants stolen from a garden I was taking care of in the condo I lived in. Two shasta daisy plants right out of the ground.

I'm always hesitant to put my favorite garden ornaments in the front yard because I'm afraid someone will take them. I live near a main road and my back yard is fenced on 3 sides, and is near a business who has motion sensors on the lights.

It's really sad we have to worry about this.