What To Do After A Burglary

What To Do After A Burglary
HSC Staff Writer

No one ever wants their home to be burglarized, however statistics show that in 2005 there were over two million burglaries reported in the United States. Given this huge amount of burglaries the chances are at some point during your lifetime you'll experience a burglary in your home or apartment. Although this site is all about home security and protecting your family home and apartment in this article we'll tell you what needs to be done after your house is burglarized. Our very first talking point is the moment you discover your home has been burglarized the best first course of action is to leave your home immediately and go to a neighbor's home or somewhere you feel safe. Keep in mind that a vast majority of burglaries happen during the day and not at night as T.V. and the movies may have you believe. Here are some actions to take after your home has been burglarized.

Actions To Take After You've Been Burglarized.


1. Leave your apartment or home and go to a safe place to call the Police. You never know the burglar may be in your home or returning there shortly.

2. Do not touch anything in your home as the Police will want to dust your home for fingerprints.

Take a quick mental note of the items you did touch before realizing you were a victim of a burglary.

3. Have the Police come out to secure your home. The Police will request a list of the missing items. Hopefully you've completed a home inventory and can provide those pictures of the items along with serial numbers. If not do your best to give them a list of the items that are missing. No doubt in the coming days you'll discover additional items missing. Contact the Police with those as well.

4. Get your home or apartment secured. If the burglar broke down a door then immediately have a Contractor come out to repair the door. If you suspect the Burglar may have access to any of your home or apartment keys, call a Locksmith. If you are calling at an odd hour and can't get anyone to come out, stay at a hotel or friends house for the evening.

5. Call your insurance company and notify them of the claim. Ask to have an Adjustor come out as soon as possible to reconcile the damage and review the missing items. The Insurance company will want something in writing of what was missing including the Police Report when it is available a few days later.

6. Studies show that burglars often return to homes they've robbed in the past. Now is the time you want to take a detailed look at your home security and take action where necessary. Ask your local police if they will come out and review the security of your home with them. We highly recommend have a home security system installed before a burglary occurs. Now that a burglary has happened in your home or apartment it's vital you have a home security system installed. Make sure the home security system company leaves you a couple of signs for the front yard and labels for the windows so if Mr. Burglar does come back he'll see you've taken the necessary steps to increase your home security.