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Sheffield bears the 8th highest Burglary rate in England. Here’s how you can secure your home

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Sheffield is known for many things, but recently, it’s also been noted for having a high number of burglaries, ranking 8th in England. This might sound scary, but there are many ways you can make your home safer. Keeping burglars away is easier than you think, and it’s important to know the best ways to deter burglars. Here’s how you can protect your home and give yourself peace of mind.

Keep Your Home Safe in Sheffield: Top Tips for Security

1. Lock Up Tight

The simplest thing you can do is make sure all your doors and windows are locked, especially when you’re not home. Even if you’re just popping out quickly, locking up can make a big difference. Adding strong locks to your doors and windows can make your home even safer.

2. Light It Up

Burglars don’t like to be seen, so keeping your home well-lit can keep them away. Put lights outside your house, like near doors and windows, and use motion-sensor lights so they turn on if someone is moving around. When you go out, leave a light on inside, too, so it looks like someone is home.

3. Get an Alarm

Installing an alarm system is a great way to scare off burglars. There are many kinds of alarm systems, from simple ones that make a loud noise if someone tries to break into more advanced ones that can alert you on your phone if there’s a problem. This can make you feel much safer, knowing your home is being watched over.

4. Be Careful Online

When you’re excited about a holiday or a day out, it’s natural to want to share it online. But sharing too much about being away from home can be a tip-off for burglars. Try to keep your plans off social media, or at least make sure your accounts are private so only friends can see what you post.

5. Maintain a Low Profile

Avoid displaying expensive items, such as electronics, luxury cars, or jewellery, in plain sight. This can attract unwanted attention from potential burglars scoping out their next target. Consider using curtains or blinds to prevent people from easily seeing inside your home and keep expensive items out of view from windows and doors.

6. Keep the Outside Tidy

The area around your house can also help keep burglars away. If you have trees or bushes, keep them trimmed so there’s nowhere for burglars to hide. Using gravel on paths or around your house can also be a good idea because it’s noisy when someone walks on it.

7. Know Your Neighbors

One of the best ways to keep your home safe is by having good neighbours. If you know the people who live near you, you can look out for each other. You might even want to start a neighbourhood watch group. This means everyone keeps an eye out and reports anything suspicious, making your neighbourhood a safer place.

8. Use Security Cameras

Installing security cameras can be a powerful deterrent to burglars. Modern cameras can send live feeds directly to your smartphone, allowing you to monitor your home in real time, no matter where you are. Some cameras also have motion detection and can alert you if they sense any activity. This not only helps deter potential burglars but also provides evidence if a break-in does occur.

Key Takeaways

Even though Sheffield has a high burglary rate, you don’t have to feel unsafe in your home. By taking a few simple steps like locking up, using lights and alarms, being careful about what you share online, keeping your garden tidy, and getting to know your neighbours, you can make your home a lot safer. Remember, keeping your home safe isn’t just about gadgets and locks; it’s also about being smart and looking out for each other.