Home burglaries are very upsetting and unfortunately pretty common. They can happen anywhere at any time. If you have just experienced a home burglary, there are some actions you need to take immediately.
1. Call the police
If you have just experienced a home burglary, you need to call the police right away. The police must file a report and begin the investigation. They also need to start looking for the burglar. The sooner you call the police, the better. If the incident just happened, the burglar probably isn’t too far away yet, and the police may have a chance of catching him. Don’t wait – call them right now.
2. Do not touch anything
Do not touch anything in your home before the police arrive. The burglar may have left fingerprints on surfaces in your home, and the police will need to swab the doorknobs and other places he might have touched. The police will also find evidence that you may overlook. They will want to do a thorough investigation and have the best chance of finding the burglar. If you keep everything in your home exactly how the burglar left it, the police will be able to do their job easily and they will be able to find the most evidence.
3. Remember your safety
Your safety is of utmost importance, so while you’re waiting for the police to arrive, keep yourself safe. If you’re not totally sure if the burglar has left your home yet, you should not go upstairs or look around and try to find him. If possible, go to a neighbor’s house and wait there for the police to arrive. Otherwise, it may be a good idea to sit in your car and lock the doors. Burglaries are very scary and can make people feel unsafe. At this moment, remember your safety and don’t put yourself at risk. Remember, your safety and your life are way more important than any material object that may have been stolen.
4. Remember important details
Did you see anything that stands out to you? Did you see anything that is overtly suspicious? While the situation may be very overwhelming in the moment, don’t let it distract you from remembering important details. Did you happen to see the burglary running from your home? If so, that’s important information and the police will ask you to recall what he looked like. What did you see first upon entering your home? The police will want to know details. They will want to know if the door was ajar and they will want to know if you noticed anything missing right away. If it helps, right down the information so you won’t forget anything.
5. Check your surveillance videos
If you happen to have surveillance cameras set up in and around your home, let police know right away. Checking those cameras could give police vital information about the burglar and allow them to plan how they can find him and apprehend him.
Surveillance videos have solved thousands of crimes because they capture the incident and all of its details. If you don’t have surveillance cameras, you should take this opportunity to purchase some. These cameras will help you feel safe after a burglary and will ease your mind.
6. Take note of what was taken
Once things have calmed down a little bit, take note of everything that was stolen in your home. Take time to go through your things so you can tell police accurate information. Check around your home for things that are commonly stolen, such as electronics, jewelry, and money and credit cards. Some burglars also steal personal information, so check your home to make sure you still have your passport and driver’s license. Burglars will also steal proof of ownership documents and bank documents. As a precaution, it’s a good idea to call your bank and prevent any potential losses.
7. File your insurance claims
Before your insurance company can process your claim, they will need all of the related documents. You will need the police report and an itemized list of all your stolen belongings. If necessary, you can have an adjuster come to your home and make an accurate assessment of the items you’ve lost.
You should file an insurance claim as soon as possible. You should have the finished police report within 24 hours after you reported the burglary, and once you have that, you can begin the insurance claim process.
8. Improve your home security
After a home burglary, improving your home security is essential. What can you do to prevent something like this from happening again?
If you don’t have a working alarm system already, the first thing you should do is purchase one. If someone breaks into your home while your alarm system is on, the police will be notified, and it can scare off a burglar very quickly. Many people like to display their home security company brand in their front windows or with a sign in their front yard. This shows that their home is secure and that it’s pointless for a potential burglar to attempt a break-in.
9. Build awareness
Let people in your neighborhood know about your home burglary so the same thing doesn’t happen to them. Some burglars will target entire neighborhoods, but you can prevent that from happening. By giving your neighbors a heads-up, they can invest in an alarm system and home surveillance equipment, which will discourage a burglar from coming back.
10. Follow up with police
Crimes don’t get solved overnight. Finding your burglar is definitely a top priority for police, but it may take some time to solve the case. Be sure to follow up with the ce periodically after your home burglary. The police will appreciate you taking the time to call, and will be sure to notify you if they find the perpetrator.
