After Your House has been Robbed

Sometimes, after a traumatic situation, your brain doesn’t function the same as it does any other time. For some reason, common sense seems to be evasive and what you end up doing could possibly be damaging when all is said and done. And a burglary falls into the category of traumatic situations, so this article gives you the basic steps on what to do when your home has been burglarized.

Step 1: Stay Safe

At the moment you realize that your home as been robbed, ensure your safety. If you are still outside or if you have just entered the home, retreat and go somewhere safe like a neighbor’s house or just down the street to call the police. You do not know if the thief is still on the premises. If you are deep in the house when it dawns on you, do not search for the intruder, but once again find a safe area from which you can call the police. Should the burglar still be inside and you come across him, it will come down to basic fight or flight, and your safety is too great to risk over a few possessions.

As you leave the area, do not touch or disturb anything. Your home is a crime scene now and any forensic evidence needs to be preserved.

Step 2: Call the Police

Make sure you call the police, even if you feel it would do no good and you will never get your stuff back; as your insurance company will require the police report to process any claim you might have. If there is even the slightest possibility that the perpetrator is still there, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, you can call the police department’s non-emergency number.

Step 3: Secure Your Home

When the police are gone, make sure to secure the entry point that was used by the burglar. Temporarily board up any broken windows and doors, and check all other doors and windows for tampering. Then call a reputable contractor to provide a permanent repair as soon as possible. If you are not sure who to call, your insurance agent should be able to point you in the right direction.

Step 4: Take Account of What’s Missing

Make a comprehensive list of everything you are missing or that was damaged during the burglary. If you have the serial numbers and values of those items missing, make sure to include that information. Take note of any credit or bank cards that are missing and call your bank as soon as possible to alert them to the theft. Once the list is complete, you can file your claim with your insurance company. You will also need to let your neighbors know what happened so they can increase their awareness and prepare their homes. If there is a community blog, post the event there.

Step 5: Heal

Lastly, having someone break into your home and steal your possessions should not be taken lightly. It is a serious and traumatic event that can affect you for years to come unless you tackle the problem now. You need to regain that sense of safety and well-being you had within your home prior to the burglary. Do whatever it takes to get back to this sense of security. Seek professional help, join a support group of fellow sufferers, or take a self-defense course; whatever it takes to feel safe again. And, prepare your home to prevent a repeat burglary. Make sure your security system is up-to-date, that the bushes in your yard are well trimmed, your doors and windows are locked and secure and, when you leave, that the house looks and sounds as if someone is still at home. Once you have reclaimed your sense of security, only then will your house feel like home.