When burglars break into a home, they don’t usually steal items of real value; instead, they take cash and valuables that are easy to resell. Often, however, what matters most is not the loss of particular items but the violation of safety and privacy. In addition to stressing you out on an emotional level, having your home burglarized can also be confusing and overwhelming at first because there’s so a lot that needs to be done immediately following a break-in.
Get to Safety
The first thing you want to do is get to safety. There could be a chance that the people who broke into your home are still there. If this is the case, they could pose a threat to you and your family. Do not try to get into an altercation or investigate on your own. Burglars might be prone to violence if they are caught and the last thing you want is you or your family getting hurt.
Contact Police Right Away
After getting to safety, contact the police immediately. Explain in detail what happens, report what was stolen, describe any suspects, and provide a detailed description of your home for dispatchers. This will enable them to alert police in the area in case the burglars are planning on attacking another home.
Take Inventory of Missing Items
Once the police have cleared the home, take inventory of all the missing items. This will help the police in case anything is found. It will also help you when deciding which items to replace and which items are just not worth replacing, saving you money. This will also help in the event that you need to file an insurance claim to replace any high-value items.
Additionally, record all serial numbers for every electronic item and piece of jewelry taken during the break-in. Many burglars steal expensive items like TVs and computers but quickly sell them at pawnshops or through online services like Craigslist.
Replace the Locks
If they used force to enter your home, replace the damaged door or window with an approved locking device. The best way to secure your doors and windows is by using deadbolts on doors that open to an outside area as well as installing double-cylinder locks for all other exterior entryways.
Locks should be outfitted with quality hardware like bump-proof devices so they cannot be removed very easily. Have your locks changed by a professional – even experienced criminals can slip through a poorly installed lock if it is substandard. ## Secure Exterior Doors
Once you have replaced the locks on all entryways, secure the exterior doors. The most effective way to do this is by replacing your door with a reinforced slab door for added strength. These types of doors are metal panels that fit within an existing wood-framed door and provide exceptional protection against forced entry. Slab doors also have additional security features like solid core construction, anti-wedge devices, bump-proof hardware like a thumb turn or deadbolt, and more.
Check Surveillance Footage
If you have a security camera system or any type of surveillance equipment, check to see if it is still functioning. There is no reason burglars should know your camera has recorded them entering your home. If there is any chance that your camera was not discovered and recorded footage of the break-in, contact police immediately as this may be what catches the criminals once they are identified through pawn records.
Get a Security System to Prevent Future Break-Ins
A state-of-the-art home security system from In The Sky can help prevent another break-in from happening by adding an extra layer of security to your home. Call us today to schedule an appointment and let’s get your home protected!