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It’s every homeowner’s nightmare. You pull up the driveway to see your front door is wide open or a window smashed. You can’t think clearly, fretting about what’s missing and the harm done to your home. What can you do? Stay calm, take a breath, and follow these tips after a break-in at your Charlottesville home.  

Once things are under control, see how to better prevent intrusions with an advanced security system.

Immediate Steps After A Break-In

Seeing your house broken into is traumatizing. You might be upset, shaken, or just in disbelief. Regardless, it’s important to respond rationally by doing the following: 

• Stay outside. It’s not surprising that you want to rush inside to see what happened. Don’t. There’s a risk a burglar is still inside.
• Call the police immediately.  Keep yourself and others at a safe spot nearby and wait for first responders. Work with law enforcement to make an official report. 
• Avoid touching anything. Let the police secure the premises and gather evidence.  

What Should You Do Next?

You’ve spoken with the authorities, and your home is safe to re-enter. What should happen next? 

• Notify your bank and credit card companies . If an intruder stole wallets, purses, or private documents, you’ll want to contact your credit card companies and banks right away. It’s wise to freeze accounts and your credit. You can also place a fraud alert with credit bureaus.
• Contact your insurance provider. File a claim with your insurance provider. This needs to be done within 24 hours of the break-in. 
• Record damage on camera. Document shattered windows, forced doors, and all other obvious damage.
• Inventory stolen goods. Create a record of what’s missing and provide it to law enforcement and your Insurer.
• Secure your house. Restore your home’s security by replacing locks, fixing windows and doors, and repairing other damage. If you utilize a keypad lock system, now is the time to change your access codes.

Cleaning up will bring you some peace and restore a sense of normalcy. After you’re done, it’s time to think about enhancing your home security.

Assess And Improve Your Charlottesville Home’s Security

How can you keep this from occuring again? Your first step should be to evaluate your home’s security. An advanced system with these tools will work wonders in better protecting your home: 

• Video cameras: Just about every prowler will hesitate when they see security cameras. Newer outdoor and doorbell cameras offer advanced features like smart detection. Whenever there’s suspicious activity, you’ll receive a notification. 
• Access-point sensors: All doors and windows (particularly those on the ground level) should be shielded by glass-break or contact sensors.
• Smart lights and locks: These automated tools can be managed remotely. Concerned you didn’t secure your door? You can check and operate the lock directly from your smartphone. You can even have inside lights switch on if a camera spots someone lurking.

If you are searching for a modern system that warns you and monitoring staff whenever a sensor or camera is set off, get a package from the home security specialists at ADT. You’ll benefit from smartphone access, 24/7 monitoring, and custom automation.

Prevent Break-Ins With The Top Home Security Systems In Charlottesville

Stop burglaries before they happen with an ADT home security system in Charlottesville from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As your trusted ADT dealer, we install modern equipment from the most respected name in the business. Explore your options by dialing (434) 214-6134 or filling out our form today.