Most people never dream of a burglar entering their home. It’s almost too painful to think about. But when it happens to you, you might feel overwhelmed by the emotion of the event. Being burgled is a violation of your rights and your privacy, and it can be difficult to think straight when you’re upset about what’s happened.
In the aftermath of a break-in, there are jobs to be done. It’s important to understand what happens after these unfortunate events so you can secure your home immediately and get back to normal as soon as possible.
Initial Tasks
When you suspect there’s been a break-in, it’s important to telephone the police without touching or moving anything. Pack the kids off to a relative’s house, or send the eldest ones out to walk the dog. Start to make a basic list of things you know are missing, and add to it through the day.
The next people to call should be your insurance company. They will ask for the crime reference number that the police gave you. Eventually, the insurance company will ask you for details of valuables, so have a think about where any photos or receipts would be stored.
Finally, consider any evidence. Ask the neighbours if they saw anyone around and get descriptions. If you have CCTV, watch it back and make a copy for the police when they call.
Securing the House
Once the police confirm you can tidy up, do what you need to do to feel safe and repair any obvious security risks. Have doors replaced, windows boarded or locks changed straight away. If your burglar alarm needs to be reset, call Angel Security to have it done quickly. Your insurers will probably visit the property to check on what’s been taken.
Depending on the damage, you might need to repaint, order new carpets or get a quote for glazing. Put locks on the windows, or upgrade the ones you already have.
You might want to hire a cleaner to lighten the load.
Over Time
Once the dust has settled, it’s time to think about upgrades to your home security. Burglary is an awful occurrence that leaves many people upset for months to come. By preventing it happening again, you will feel like you’ve taken control of the situation, and it may help you sleep easier at night.
The best deterrent will always be a good quality alarm system, perhaps with a monitoring service that alerts the authorities that there’s activity. You could also consider having an inexpensive CCTV system installed as another deterrent, or simply to provide evidence should the unthinkable ever happen again.
Finally, try to let go and enjoy your home when you’re ready to. Being burgled is dreadful, but the sooner you can get back to normal, the sooner you’ll feel able to move on. Whether you lost all your valuables or simply suffered property damage, expert advice from Angel Security will help you feel in control again by installing a new burglar alarm.
