Categories

It’s every homeowner’s nightmare. You arrive home and find your front door has been forced open or a window broken. You can’t think straight, stressing about what’s been stolen and the damage to your house. What should you do? Take a breath, stay calm, and follow these tips after a break-in at your Wichita home.  

When things calm down, learn how to better prevent burglaries with the latest home security system.

First Steps After A Burglary

Finding your house has been broken into is traumatic. You could be angry, scared, or just in shock. Regardless, it’s important to stay level-headed by doing the following: 

• Stay outside. It might be tempting to rush inside to assess the situation. Don’t. There’s a chance an intruder is still on site.
• Contact the police right away.  Keep yourself and family members at a safe spot nearby and hold tight until first responders arrive. Work with the authorities to file a report. 
• Leave everything as is. Let the police secure the premises and gather evidence.  

What Should You Do Next?

You’ve conversed with law enforcement, and your home is clear to re-enter. What are the next steps? 

• Contact your bank and credit card issuers . If a burglar grabbed purses, wallets, or personal documents, you’ll want to contact your credit card companies and banks at once. It’s wise to put a hold on accounts and your credit. You can also place a fraud alert with the major credit bureaus.
• Reach out to your insurance provider. File a claim with your insurer. You should do so within one day of the break-in. 
• Take pictures of damage. Document smashed windows, forced doors, and all other detectable damage.
• Inventory stolen goods. Make a list of what’s been stolen and provide it to the authorities and your insurance provider.
• Secure your property. Restore your home’s security by installing new locks, fixing doors and windows, and repairing other damage. If you use a digital lock, now is the time to update your access codes.

Cleaning up will bring you some peace and make things feel normal. Once you do, it’s time to consider improving your home security.

Assess And Improve Your Wichita Home’s Security

What should you do to prevent another break-in from happening? Your first step should be to assess your home’s security. An advanced system with these devices will work wonders in keeping your home safe: 

• Surveillance cameras: Nearly every trespasser will hesitate when they see security cameras. Newer outdoor and doorbell cameras offer advanced capabilities like smart detection. When there’s unusual activity, you’ll receive a warning. 
• Access-point sensors: All doors and windows (especially those on the ground level) should be protected by glass-break or contact sensors.
• Smart lights and locks: These automated components can be controlled from anywhere. Are you worried you didn’t secure your door? You can check and operate the lock right from your phone. You can even have inside lighting turn on if a camera spots someone lurking.

If you are looking for an integrated system that warns you and monitoring agents any time a camera or sensor is triggered, get a package from ADT, your home security professionals. You’ll enjoy the remote access, 24/7 monitoring, and advanced automation.

Avoid Break-Ins With The Best Home Security In Wichita

Stop burglaries before they happen with an ADT home security package in Wichita from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As your trusted ADT dealer, we install modern equipment from the top name in the business. Learn more about your options by dialing (316) 215-9179 or submitting our form today.