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It’s every homeowner’s nightmare. You arrive home to see your front door is wide open or a window shattered. You can hardly process what’s happened, worrying about what’s missing and the damage to your home. What can you do? Take a breath, stay calm, and follow these tips after a break-in at your Columbia home.  

When things get back to normal, explore how to better prevent burglaries with the latest home security system.

First Steps After A Break-In

Seeing your house burglarized is traumatic. You might be angry, shaken, or just in shock. Whatever the case, it’s critical to respond rationally by doing the following: 

• Don’t go inside. It might be tempting to rush inside to look around. Don’t. There’s a risk an intruder is still inside.
• Contact the authorities immediately.  Keep yourself and others at a safe spot nearby and wait for emergency services. Work with the authorities to file a report. 
• Avoid touching anything. Let officers take charge and do their job.  

What Do You Do Next?

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

• Contact your bank and credit card issuers . If an intruder stole wallets, purses, or sensitive information, you must alert your credit card issuers and banks immediately. It’s a good idea to lock accounts and your credit. You can also request a fraud alert with the three main credit bureaus.
• Reach out to your insurance company. Initiate a claim with your insurer. This should be done within a day of the break-in. 
• Take photos of the damage. Document broken windows, forced doors, and anything else that’s been damaged.
• Document what was taken. Create a record of what’s been stolen and provide it to the authorities and your insurance company.
• Secure your home. Restore your home’s security by installing new locks, fixing doors and windows, and repairing other damage. If you utilize a digital lock, now is the time to reset your access codes.

Cleaning up will do wonders for your stress and get life back to normal. After you’re done, it’s time to think about enhancing your home security.

Strengthen Your Columbia Home’s Security

What should you do to prevent another intrusion from taking place? Your first step should be to evaluate your home’s security. An advanced system with these devices will go a long way to keeping your home safe: 

• Surveillance cameras: Nearly all trespassers will hesitate when they notice surveillance cameras. Today’s exterior and doorbell cameras provide advanced features like smart detection. When there’s unusual activity, you’ll be sent an alert. 
• Access-point sensors: All doors and windows (specifically those on the ground floor) should be protected by glass-break or contact sensors.
• Smart locks and lights: These automated devices can be operated from anywhere. Concerned you forgot to lock your door? You can verify and operate the lock from your smartphone. You can even have interior lights turn on if a camera detects suspicious activity.

If you want a connected system that notifies you and monitoring staff any time a sensor or camera is tripped, get a package from the home security specialists at ADT. You’ll enjoy the mobile access, round-the-clock monitoring, and convenient automation.

Avoid Break-Ins With The Best Home Security In Columbia

Stop intrusions at your property with an ADT home security system in Columbia from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As an authorized ADT dealer, we install the latest equipment from the industry leader. Discover your options by dialing (573) 203-3048 or filling out our form today.