Emergency Steps To Take Immediately After A Home Burglary

Emergency Steps To Take Immediately After A Home Burglary

Victor broke into Mr. Wilson’s house ‘like a thief in the night’. He walked through the hall into his room and robbed him of his prized possessions. To his dismay, when Wilson found out about the robbery, it was too late. He panicked, fretted about the loss and eventually filed a complaint. Now, similar things can happen to you if you don’t pay attention to the security of your home. Have you ever wondered how did Victor enter the house or how was he able to walk away with everything so easily?

One of the reasons can be that Mr Wilson’s home security had several loopholes or the thief was very smart with his stealing skills. In either case, the jobs’ done and dusted and there is no point crying over spilled milk. So, to make sure you don’t fall back into the same pit again, here are some precautionary measures you should take.

Contact the Police

You should know that burglars know the price of everything and the value of nothing. So, as soon as you enter your house and realize that you have become a victim of robbery just hide because the robbers might be lurking in some corner of your house.

Look for signs of movement and don’t panic. Contact the police immediately and don’t touch anything until they arrive. Though staying calm and composed is not easy. Yet, it is important to seek help from Police authorities as soon as possible. Especially when you look at your house and see it is all topsy-turvy.

The next step is to stay put and patiently wait for the Police. After they arrive, try to focus on the things that are in front of you and give them details about the security measures you have in your house. Say, you have a camera installed on the front porch of your house. Inform the authorities about that and let them look into the investigation.

Check for damages

After you are calm, composed, and safe, take stock of everything that is missing. This step is vital because it will help the police take note of all the valuables you have lost. It will also help you analyze the steps needed for covering the damage.

You have to remember that wallowing in sorrow for a long time can be dangerous. I understand that you are still in shock and it will take time for you to digest the incident. But checking every room thoroughly now rather than later will be good for your financial health. So, make sure you stay focused and also look for things that are still in good shape. Because preserving them at the moment will be a good idea.

Seek your insurance company

I am sure you have calmed down by now. The next step is to contact your insurance agent. It is possible that you don’t have one because you live in a rented apartment or house. But in such cases, it is always recommended that you get your own apartment insured. So, if you have a back-up like this, go ahead and talk to your insurance agent. Mention each and everything clearly. Tell them you lost a few items but most of the items are either broken or not in good shape.

In this case, you can also take help from the Police as their records are descriptive. Subsequently, you will be able to keep a track of something that you might have forgotten. Once this process is over, the insurer will be able to guide you in the right direction. As a result, you will be in a position to file a rightful claim.

Re-check the security of your house 

I think this is one of the most important steps. Because you might find a weak link in the security measures you took up till now. Plus the robbers know how to enter your house and they can do it again. Due to which you might have to change the entire security system you had until now. But anything is better than exposing your house to potential miscreants like Victor.

So start from the doors. Look for the weakest link and see what can you do to make the entry strong. For example, the door should have strong bolts and strike plates. You can also shake hands with technology and install a smart lock with the help of Houston Residential Locksmith. This will ensure maximum safety.

Additionally checking your house for security measures will make you realize that you are in dire need of motion sensor lights. This is one of the techniques that people use to keep thieves at bay. However, if you live in a house that has zero or few security measures, it means that you have invited self-trouble. In short, you have to secure your house as soon as possible.

Inform the bank 

You need to call your bank after assessing the damage and security measures. If your cards or important bank documents are missing, inform them as soon as possible. As a result, the bank will block all the stolen cards and ask you to issue a replacement. So, all you have to do is write to the bank and get a new card issued immediately. Because you will need maximum support in terms of money. Not only this but the bank will also secure your financial information and make you change the passwords you use for online banking.

Clean your house 

You might be wondering what does burglary has to do with cleaning? But trust me, cleaning also has a pivotal role to play. When a thief breaks-in he or she can break and hamper all your belongings. You will likely find a broken glass or a broken piece of furniture in the living room. Due to which, you and any family members can get hurt. This is why you have to clean your house after you have assessed everything.

Above all you might find something of importance during the process. Like legal papers scattered on the floor or a piece of jewelry the robber dropped in a hurry. So, cleaning the house should be taken into consideration.

Re-apply for vital documents

The last yet essential step is to notify the authorities. In other words, if you have lost your passport, drivers license, ID proof, etc. Inform all of them and re-apply for immediate re-issuance. You can also inform the neighbors and nearby relatives living in the same street as yours. This way you will help them stay alert until the robbers are out on the loose.

The truth is that no matter how many precautionary steps you take. There is a possibility that you might find yourself amidst a theft scene. Plus I know that no amount of words can compensate for the loss you face. But if you don’t follow all these emergency steps mentioned above, you are likely to fall into the pit of shock and misery yet again. Therefore, shield your home with some of the best security measures and stay safe.

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