What to Do When Your House Is Broken Into

A break-in may be a stressful event for victims, leaving them feeling disoriented and unprotected. The majority of individuals in this position are unprepared and unclear of what they should do. If you ever find yourself in this circumstance, it's essential to maintain your composure and reply as swiftly as possible. This comprehensive guide to assist you and your family cope, including measures to follow after a break-in and advice to help you prevent being a victim again.

What to Do When You've Been Burglarized

For homeowners, home security has long been a primary issue. Knowing how to deter thieves from targeting your house may go a long way toward ensuring the safety of your home and belongings. According to the FBI, almost 1.7 million burglaries occurred in the previous year, with 73 per cent of them being residential crimes. There is no safety when four burglaries occur in less than a minute.

There are, however, several easy, low-cost, and efficient measures to keep intruders out of your house. While you can't guarantee that they won't happen, you can lessen the chances or at least frustrate them.

1. Check Security Cameras.

An effective method to prevent house break-ins is to install security cameras around your home. Statistics suggest that homes with security systems are up to 300 per cent less likely to be broken into. Burglars will know you're serious about securing your house if they see one. Even wearing masks, they don't want to risk setting off security cameras' sound alarms and being caught on camera.

Installing a security camera for a rented home would be the best approach to deter criminals from targeting your home since you are more likely to be burglarized if you rent rather than own a house. If you want hard-wired security cameras or need to drill holes around the house, you'll need the landlord's permission. As a result, it's advisable to go for 100% wire-free security cameras that don't require any cabling or drilling holes and can be relocated as needed.

2. Theft Restoration & Repairs.

Even though most locks are long-lasting, there are situations when they fail to function correctly. Broken locks, whether on an office door or your home door, should not be overlooked. If you've ever locked yourself out of your house or workplace, you understand the value of an emergency locksmith service. However, if your locks aren't working correctly, it's just as crucial to call a professional locksmith. Here are some reasons why:

       I. Burglars look for points of entry that are simple to access.

Broken glass and forcible entry aren't included in every break-in. According to statistics, most thieves search for easy entry points to gain access to a home, company, or vehicle. If a lock on an entrance door, a back vehicle door, or a seldom-used side entrance isn't secure, a thief may choose to exploit these access points.

      II. Broken locks can lead to other problems.

A door lock is frequently damaged, but not to the point of being unusable. If the lock's pieces no longer line up correctly, this might be the cause. You may wish to maintain utilizing the lock in certain situations. However, doing so may cause more damage to your door and door frame, necessitating a complete replacement of the door in the future. If you continue to use broken locks, you risk damaging your keys, which might leave you stuck outside if the key is damaged to the point that it doesn't fit properly.

     III. You might be endangering your loved ones.

Interior locks that stick or refuse to open when the knob is cranked can be just as frustrating.This is especially true if your bathroom doors have malfunctioning locks, which may accidentally trap a child or an elderly relative inside. You'll want all of your home's locks to work correctly in the event of an emergency, such as a fire so that your family can simply evacuate without having to deal with broken locks or doors that won't open.

If you detect a damaged lock, a professional locksmith can give you the immediate emergency locksmith assistance you require. Lock repair does not always need the purchase of a new lock. They may simply need to replace a few internal components in other circumstances. If your lock is damaged, consider repairing it to avoid burglary, extra damage, or other unanticipated problems.

3. Install Motion Activated Floodlights.

Installing motion-activated floodlights and leaving them on all night will deter burglars and keep criminals and bandits away from your home. Any intruder who attempts to enter your home will be caught off guard. That isn't entertaining, and they will most likely flee. They're well aware that a house with motion-activated floodlights is unlikely to be a viable target. Burglars and thieves will choose to target homes with little protection since they want to get in and out quickly without being detected. You'll have the upper hand if you can stop them before they come anywhere near your front door.

How Can You Feel Safe After a Burglary

1. Keep up with the latest technology.

There are a few new home security gadgets on the market, including doorbells that ring on your phone (like the Ring Video Doorbell) and low-cost, easy-to-install surveillance systems like the Canary. Get guidance from your local electronics store or browse internet reviews.

2. Lock your mailbox.

Consider getting a lockable mailbox since identity thieves can discover a gold mine in your mailbox. Remember to shred essential documents before throwing them away.

3. Maintain a trimmed environment.

Burglars hide behind overgrown shrubs, so make sure your property is visible from the street. Make sure your front porch is well-lit. Keep an eye on who has access to your backyard.

4. Purchase a virtual pet.

When burglars hear a barking dog, they think twice. Get a CD of a growling dog if you don't have a pet. Alternatively, keep a dog bowl at your front entrance.

5. Call Police.

Some police agencies employ crime-prevention officers who conduct house inspections and advise security.

6. Get acquainted with your neighbours.

It's an old method, and it still works well. Request that your neighbours keep a watch on your house when you are away.