What Should You Do If You Have Been Burglarized

A burglary is defined as unlawful entry into a home or building with the intention of stealing. Typically, the homeowner isn’t present at the time of a burglary. If you come home to a burglary, there are a few steps you should take to ensure your immediate and future safety.

Stay Outside
If you arrive home and realize that it has been broken into, or there has been an obvious attempt, do not enter the property. Don’t touch anything, return to your vehicle, and call 911. Do not wait around outside or near the house, because the burglar could still be somewhere on the property. The burglar might have entered on foot, so the absence of a vehicle doesn’t always mean the area has been vacated. Avoid a run-in with a potentially armed burglar by driving to a safe place.

Assess the Damage
Once law enforcement responds, they will make sure the house is safe and will ask for a statement to determine what has been taken. This information will go in an official report. You will need to give an account of everything that is missing and asses any damage to your property. Most likely, you will not recover your stolen items, so your next step will be filing an insurance claim if you have the proper coverage. If your home security system was damaged, it may also be covered under your insurance policy.

Restore Security
After the burglary, it is important to ensure that your home is well protected against any future threats. Change the locks to all the doors in your home, and install deadbolt locks on all the windows and doors. In addition, double-key locks on doors with windows. Consider placing motion sensor lights outdoors and set interior lights on timers. This will keep burglars from detecting your routine or when you might be home. If you don’t currently have a home security system, install one as soon as possible.

If you need your locks changed or have any home security needs, Armstrong Lock & Security Products of Orlando can serve you. We provide high security products for businesses and homes. Our services include lock hardware, access control system installation, and CCTV. Visit our website or contact us at (321) 800-4982 to learn more about our services.