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It’s every homeowner’s nightmare. You pull up the driveway and find your door has been forced open or a window broken. You can’t think clearly, fretting about what’s been stolen and the damage to your home. What will you do? Stay calm, take a breath, and follow these steps after a break-in at your Kalamazoo home.  

When things calm down, see how to better prevent break-ins with a modern security system.

Immediate Steps After A Break-In

Finding your house has been broken into is traumatic. You might be scared, furious, or just in shock. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s critical to stay level-headed by doing the following: 

• Don’t go inside. It’s not surprising that you want to rush inside to assess the situation. Don’t. There’s a chance an intruder is still inside.
• Contact the authorities right away.  Keep yourself and others safely away and wait for emergency services. Work with the police to make an official report. 
• Don’t touch a thing. Let officers take control and gather evidence.  

What Should You Do Next?

You’ve conversed with the authorities, and your home is clear to re-enter. What should you do next? 

• Cancel credit cards and alert your bank . If an intruder stole wallets, purses, or private documents, you’ll want to alert your credit card companies 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.
• Call your insurance provider. Initiate a claim with your insurance provider. You should do so within 24 hours of the break-in. 
• Take photos of the damage. Document smashed windows, kicked-in doors, and anything else that’s been damaged.
• Document what is missing. Create a record of what’s missing and provide it to law enforcement and your insurance company.
• Secure your home. Get your home secured by installing new locks, fixing windows and doors, and repairing other damage. If you have a keypad lock, now is the time to update your codes.

Cleaning up will bring you some peace and make things feel normal. Once you do, it’s time to consider enhancing your home security.

Strengthen The Security At Your Kalamazoo Home

What should you do to prevent another break-in from taking place? Your first step should be to take stock of your home’s security. A modern system with the following equipment will go a long way to better protecting your home: 

• Security cameras: Just about all prowlers will reconsider their plans when they notice security cameras. Today’s outdoor and doorbell cameras provide advanced features like AI-driven smart detection. Any time there’s questionable activity, you’ll be sent a warning. 
• Entry-point sensors: All doors and windows (specifically those on the ground level) should be shielded by glass-break or contact sensors.
• Smart lights and locks: These automated devices can be operated from anywhere. Concerned you didn’t lock up? You can check and activate the lock directly from your phone. You can even have inside lighting switch on if a camera detects suspicious activity.

If you are looking for an integrated system that alerts you and monitoring agents whenever a sensor or camera is triggered, get a package from ADT, your home security leaders. You’ll appreciate the remote access, 24/7 monitoring, and custom automation.

Prevent Break-Ins With The Best Home Security In Kalamazoo

Stop burglaries from happening with an ADT home security system in Kalamazoo from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As your trusted ADT dealer, we install the latest equipment from the top name in the business. Explore your options by reaching out to (269) 224-1045 or filling out our form today.