What to do if Your House Has Been Broken Into

To come home and find your home burglarized would be quite terrifying; dozens of emotions, such as fear and anger, driving through head a million miles a second. Though, there are instances where it may seem you have been a victim, but upon further investigation, you are not. Please understand that theft crimes are more common than perhaps you think.

Top Signs that Something is Wrong

Here are some telltale signs that your home has been broken into.

• Your personal items are in a mess
• Evidence from home security
• Your locks have been tampered with
• Signs of a forced break-in
• Footprints on your carpet or floor

If by chance you notice any of the following signs, then chances are your house has been broken into. Here is a guide on what to then do.
Call the police

The first thing you should do is contact the police. You will want the authorities involved because your house has officially become a crime scene.

Immediately, after arriving at your home, touch nothing. This is to ensure that you do not tamper with evidence, leaving things like fingerprints. Moreover, leave the premises immediately, in case the burglars are still around.

Make a call to the police, in your car, or at your neighbor’s place. Wait for the authorities to arrive so that you can access your house.

Take photos and Make a list of the missing items

Once the police give you access to your home, make a list of any item you may notice are missing. Ensure that your list is as descriptive as possible. This means you have to include: the color, brand, model, and value of everything lost.

Make several copies of the list since you will need to provide them to the police and insurance company; take one to yourself also, for record keeping.

If it is possible, take photos and videos to showcase the damage done. This can also act as evidence.

Check your security footage

Most homes nowadays have video surveillance. If you have a camera in your home, then you can check the recent activity that led to the break-in. This might provide crucial evidence to the arrest of the thieves.

Contact your insurance company

As soon as you have recorded a police statement, you can go ahead and contact your insurance company. Your home insurance, or renters insurance, can help you recover some of the stolen items. The insurance company might need the list of lost items.
In most cases, an insurance company will send an adjuster to come and see if the damage was even done. They will also calculate the value of the damage. It is best to also provide them with the photos you took.

Note: Remember to not interfere with evidence. This can land you into trouble with both the police and the insurance company.

Repair your home

Once the police and insurance company have gathered enough evidence, you can go ahead and repair your home. Getting your things back in order is the first step to adjusting the situation.

Sometimes, it is best to ask the police what you should do to secure your home when once they leave. You can ask friends and families to help you clean up and fix all the broken doors and windows. They will also provide you with the emotional support which might be needed.

Note: If you find an item which does not belong to you, hand it over to the police. It might be crucial evidence to help them catch the burglar.
Improve your home security

Tightening your home security is the best decision you could make. Sometimes, it is best to even make your home less attractive, this actually does in fact work.

Here are some ways by which you can improve the security of your home.

Security cameras

Most homes are installing security cameras. Even if you are away on vacation, you can still keep tabs of your home, through a smartphone, hound you have one.
Door reinforcement

Burglars are masters of breaking and entering. You can protect your home by installing a reinforcement plate on your door to make it harder to get in (if not impossible).
Moreover, you could try for a camera on your doorbell. This will alert you of anyone who may be at your door.

Alarm system

Once an alarm system is installed, there is a much greater chance frighten any unwanted guests away. It will alert you and the neighbors that there might be a possible break-in.
Remain calm if you realize your home has been broken into, and focus on these simple steps we have stated. Everything will be alright.