First steps to take following a break-in
Unfortunately, break-ins can occur from time to time. The knowledge that someone has invaded your private property and stolen your belongings is extremely frustrating, not to mention frightening, and can leave you feeling very unsafe in your own home. There are a number of preventative measures you can take to guard your home or business against criminals, but if you still fall victim to a burglary, you will need to know how to react.
With this in mind, here are four steps you should take following a break-in.
Stay calm
Above all, you should try to keep calm. This may be easier said than done, especially when you’re experiencing a wide range of emotions, but stepping outside for a breath of fresh air, calling a friend or finding some other way to stay composed will help you think logically and act practically. You’ll need to make sure that you can deal with everything quickly and efficiently, so prioritise staying calm and it will make everything a little easier.
Phone the police
Calling the police to report the burglary is essential, no matter how minor the damage seems to be. Giving the police any information you have will help them build a profile to catch the perpetrators much quicker, so make sure you take note of entrance and exit points (e.g. smashed windows, broken door locks) and a list of everything they’ve taken.
Contact your insurance company
Once you’ve figured out exactly what’s been stolen from your home or business, you should call your insurance company within 24 hours to see what can be done. If you file a claim, you may be able to recover some of the money you’ve lost, so it’s a good idea to call as soon as you can. Discuss the process with the insurance company and double check their requirements – for instance, they may ask you not to clean up any mess that could be used as evidence during their claims investigation.
Change your locks
After a break-in, you may be feeling frightened, violated and at a loss for what to do next. For your peace of mind, it’s a good idea to change your locks and start afresh. Not only will sturdy new door locks help prevent future break-ins, but if you’ve lost any sets of keys in the past, you can rest assured that they won’t fall into the wrong hands. Even if you decide not to change your locks altogether, you may need to have your current ones repaired if they were damaged during the burglary.
At Campbell & McGovern, professional locksmiths based in Liverpool and Wirral, we understand just how stressful it can be to cope following a break-in. That’s why we help our valued customers update their security measures with specialist locksmithing services. So, whether you need to update your locks or you’d like a secure safe installed in your home, look no further than Campbell & McGovern.
Get in touch with our team of local locksmiths for more information today.
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