When most of us think about the homes we live in, we think of them as one of the safest places on earth. If you have ever experienced a home burglary, you know how vulnerable you can feel long after the incident happens. The thought of the most important place in your world getting violated, can leave you feeling uneasy for some time to come. It may be hard to even comprehend what to do next. First Lock & Security Technologies is here to share with you the steps that a homeowner should take after they have their home broken into.
Call Police after a Break In
If you come home to your home clearly broken into, the first step you should take is to call the police. This step is essential to your safety as well as any insurance claim that you will be filing. If it is clear that your home has been burgled, you should avoid going inside just in case the assailant is still in there. Wait outside for the police to arrive and they can do a sweep of the area.
Most Commonly Stolen Items from Homes
After your home is deemed safe, you can start to assess the damage. If you aren’t sure what is missing or don’t have a home inventory of all of your valuables, it is important to keep in mind that the most common possessions that are stolen include computers, jewelry, firearms and cash. If you have and security cameras in or around your home, these should be shared with police to assist in catching whoever is responsible.
Burglary Insurance Claim
For most people, they are anxious to get in there and start cleaning things up. The first thing you will want to do is maintain some sense of order in your home. Before you do that, it is important that you call your insurance company. You should contact your insurance company within 24 hours of the incident, and keep in mind that most companies require a police report to move forward.
Clean Up, Change Passwords, Save Receipts
This is the first thing that most homeowners want to do after finding their home has been burglarized. Aside from cleaning up any broken glass on doors and windows, you will want to change any passwords in the event that computers were stolen. Contact your credit card companies as well. It may be advised to place a hold on your credit report as well. Keep any receipts that you have from repairs that are made as some insurance companies will reimburse you for them.
Boost Home Security to Make House Safe from Burglars in San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Woodside, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Milpitas & Los Altos, California
Most burglars are going to look for the easiest targets. If your home isn’t secure, it makes it an easier target than others. At First Lock & Security Technologies, it is our goal to work with you to make your home as secure as possible moving forward. Call us today!