The unthinkable has happened: your house was broken into. After the event itself is over, you’re still left with a lot to clean up, both literally and metaphorically. Now that there’s no longer an intruder in your home, what do you do? 

1) Be Cautious and Stay Safe

While You’re Away: Enlisting the help of your neighbor is a great step to ensure your safety. If you return home to evidence of a burglary, do not go inside your home; there’s a chance the burglar may still be inside. Stay in your car and lock the doors, or wait at a neighbor’s house. 

While You’re Home: Designate a safe space in your home prior to any break-in event. If you are home during the burglary and it is safe to move, immediately go to that location. Adrenaline can be high, but try to remember to not touch or move anything as it could affect the crime scene later. 

In either event, consider SimpliSafe’s Interactive Monitoring to enable Video Verification. That way, one of our monitoring center personne can view footage captured by your Video Doorbells and SimpliCam, or Wireless Outdoor Camera(s) during alarm events. This can help capture the perpetrator quickly and efficiently.

2) Make a Detailed Record

Once the dust has settled and everyone in the home is safe, write down everything. Here a couple of questions to ask yourself:

• Did you see the burglar?

• What did they look like?

• Where is the damage?

• Was the lock on the door damaged?

• Which door was used for entry?

• Was a window broken?

Next, compile a list of items that are missing and a list of things that have been damaged (including your property, such as windows). It’s important to try to document the year and make of electronics, the cut of the jewelry stolen, or any identification numbers like a computer ID. Try to remember every possible detail to ensure that the police have everything they need to investigate the crime. 

3) File an Insurance Claim

Once everything is documented,  call your insurance company and file a claim. Make sure you have the police report handy, as the insurance will most likely need this information. The insurance company may need to send out an adjuster to investigate, and if that’s the case, you may need to stay in a hotel or a friend’s house so that you don’t accidentally tamper with any important evidence.

Once you’re back in your home, you can begin to feel at home again. Now, it’s time to make sure you feel back at home in your house, and clean up. It’s completely normal to feel uneasy after an intrusion, but thankfully, there are certain measures you can take that can help you feel safe and secure in your home again.

4) Fortify Your Home with Additional Security:

Now is the best time to research getting a professionally monitored home security system. Many burglars return to the scene of the crime, so the best time to get an alarm system is now. SimpliSafeis ahome security system with a variety of service plan options with zero contracts. Being proactive in making security changes to your home can help with the anxiety and stress of feeling safe again.