There’s little in life that is worse than coming home to a burglary. There are both physical and emotional responses that can be difficult to process, and the recovery time is different for everyone. If the worst does happen, know that there are some clear steps that you need to take. The faster and more efficient your response, the quicker your recovery is going to be. Make sure that you know exactly what to do in case of a home burglary by following this checklist of actions. Check these items off as you complete them and you will ensure a quicker return to normality.
1: Contact the Police
This should always be the first thing that you do. If you suspect that the burglary is taking place right now, do not enter your home. Stay outside (or in your car) and call for police help. A good rule of thumb to remember is that the faster you contact the authorities, the more chance there is of getting back any stolen possessions. You will need to provide a statement to the police, and they will keep you informed of any progress in the days and months afterward.
2: Evaluate your losses
Your next step should be to go through each room and make a list of everything that you know is missing. The police may want to have a copy of this list. It is also useful to take photographs of any damaged property as well. Makes sure that your list of stolen property is detailed, with a price attached to each item.
3: Contact your insurers
If you’re fortunate enough to have insurance, now is the time to let them know what has happened. That’s where those photographs and any video footage of the damage will come in useful. You will normally have to make a claim within 24 hours of the incident, so make your insurance company the second phone call after the police.
4: Notify Officials
You may be on the phone for a long time, because there are going to be a number of authorities that you’ll need to inform.
- Bank – If any bank details have been stolen you will need to inform your bank as soon as possible in order to avoid becoming the victim of fraud.
- DMV – If your driving license has been taken then you will need a replacement. Police may also put an alert on your stolen driving license in case it is used as ID by someone who isn’t you.
5: Clean, tidy, and repair
Once the essentials are done, it’s time to return your home to its normal state. Tidy up, throw away anything that is too damaged, and remember to look after yourself too. Shock is a real issue, so make sure that you drink plenty of fluids and remember to eat.
6: Get Preventative
One of the best ways to recover from the shock of a burglary is to strengthen your home defenses. It can make you feel vulnerable to know that someone has been rummaging through your private possessions, but installing a home alarm system from Eurolink Security can make your home feel secure once again.
Burglars are an opportunistic type of criminal. Make sure that your home security measures are robust at all times. The more that you establish strong security in and around your property, the less likely that you will ever feel that sinking feeling of coming home to a broken front door and the loss of your most valued possessions.