Essential Steps To Take For Your Home After A Burglary

You may take the best steps to secure your home, but crafty burglars can still tell when no one is home. They may memorize your daily routine, determine the security gaps in your property, or figure out where you stash away your spare key to find the perfect opportunity. Basically, they put in a lot of work to burglarize your house. But after they do their job, it's time for you to take some steps to recover your possessions. For starters, if you come home to an open door or a broken window, don't enter the property on your own. You never know if the thieves are still lurking inside.

Even if you see someone exiting your property, don't try to fight them on your own. They could be armed, and their top priority would be to get away from the scene of the crime. So, make a note of their features, or better yet, try to take any pictures if you can (be discreet; you don't want to risk yourself). Get back in your car or take shelter with one of your neighbors and dial 911. The sooner you inform the authorities, the better your chances of recovering the stolen goods. Wait for the police to check the premises and give you the go-ahead before you go in. Even then, don't displace any items or clear away the evidence of the break-in. Let the police conduct a thorough investigation and gather any evidence — fingerprints can help your case. Cooperate with the authorities and outline your experience. You also want to share any footage from the security camera if you have one installed.

Although calling the police and cooperating with them are the first steps, there's still more you should do after a residential burglary. For instance, make a note of every item that's been stolen, whether it's your electronics, snazzy side table, collection-worthy art, or cash and cards. Document every little detail, from the broken-in door and shattered window to the rifled-through drawers and compromised safes. Empty spaces in place of your rifles or cash should be documented, too. Take pictures of everything, but avoid disturbing anything unless the police are done collecting evidence. These photographs will help you back your insurance claims, strengthening your case. As such, don't forget to ask the officers for a copy of the official report.

Once you have all the details, call your insurance agents and let them know what happened. Don't put this off since you just have a 24-hour window (after filing a police report) and it's best to notify the company as soon as you're aware of the things the burglars got away with. You can also include any valuable items that were broken during the heist. It's a good idea to let the agents know that this is an initial list of the stolen goods and you may include other items as you remember them. Additionally, hop online or get in touch with your bank and ask them to cancel all the cards that have been stolen. In case your PC or old phone had your financial information, inform your bank of that, too. Moreover, log in to your account and delete all saved passwords and change the pin.

Your home is your safe haven, and a burglary can feel like a violation of your private space. To ensure you always feel safe in it, it's important to update your security systems. After all, you don't want the thieves to catch you unawares a second time. Bonus advantage: Your home insurance price will go down; expect a reduction of about 10%. Start by getting your doors and windows repaired, and upgrade their security features. Don't have the budget for fancy home alarm systems? Amazon sells a ton of home products, including a video doorbell and an outdoor camera with night and low-light vision. Install such devices to keep an eye on visitors — both invited and uninvited. Moreover, avoid storing your spare key in an easy-to-guess spot, like under a planter or over your door frame. Motion lights, especially in a dark corner of your yard, can be a great investment, too.

Additionally, conduct a sweep of your property to pinpoint the entry points thieves may take advantage of. This could be a rear gate in your backyard or a shed that doesn't lock well. Reinforce them with new locks and check them regularly. Put away ladders and keep your sharp tools locked away; you don't want the burglars to steal your brand-new possessions using your belongings. Further, upgrade your home security with stunning landscape plants. You can even grow a prickly pear cactus next to your windows as an added security measure. Finally, reach out to your friends and family and rely on them for emotional support.