Suffering a home break-in is a scary experience, but knowing what to do after it happens can help you resolve the issue much more smoothly. On average, 1 in 36 homes will be burglarized per year in the US. So, if you’re one of the unlucky ones, here are the important steps you should take after discovering that your home has been broken into.
Don’t touch anything
You might be tempted to look through your house and belongings to see what is missing, or you might want to start cleaning up in order to restore some order in your home. But, it’s important that you leave everything as you find it so that you don’t disturb any evidence that might help the police in their investigation. Go to a neighbour’s house if you can to ensure everything remains untouched.
Alert the authorities
If you have a monitored security system installed in your home, then the authorities may have already been alerted to your situation. If not, then you should call the police as soon as you can and explain what has happened.
Contact insurance companies
While you are waiting for the police to arrive at your house, you can take care of some necessary tasks such as notifying your home and contents insurance companies. Again, this is better done as soon as possible, but at least within 24 hours of notifying the police. If your credit cards have been stolen, then you should also call to cancel these.
Give your statement + any evidence
When the police get to your home, they will want to take a statement to get any information you have about the incident. You should report to them what has been taken as accurately as you can. If you have CCTV cameras equipped in your home, then you should also give them any video evidence you have of the incident.
Once you have successfully filed the report with the police, you can then go about clearing up the aftermath of the break-in.
Review your security system
Now that the incident is over, you want to do as much as you can to make sure that it doesn’t happen again. If you don’t have any home security equipment fitted in your home, then it is advisable to do some research into different equipment that could keep your home safe in the future.
If you do have a home security system and it failed for whatever reason, review what the problem was and how you can resolve it for the future. Does something need repairing or do you need additional measures to keep your home and your family safe from intruders?
For greater home security, take a look at the residential security package we offer, and get in touch to arrange installation of additional security measures for your home. We aim to keep the Piedmont Triad safe in their homes and offices, serving Winston Salem, High Point, Greensboro, Mooresville, and their surrounding areas.