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It’s every resident’s nightmare. You pull up the driveway and find your door has been kicked in or a window broken. You can barely process what’s happened, worrying about what’s been taken and the harm done to your home. What should you do? Remain calm, take a deep breath, and follow these tips after a break-in at your Oakland home.  

When things get back to normal, see how to better prevent burglaries with an advanced security system.

First Steps After A Break-In

Finding your house has been burglarized is traumatizing. You might be frightened, furious, or just in disbelief. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s essential to stay level-headed by doing the following: 

• Stay outside. It’s not surprising that you want to run inside to assess the situation. Don’t. There’s a possibility an intruder is still present.
• Contact the police at once.  Keep yourself and others at a safe distance and hold tight until first responders arrive. Work with the authorities to make an official report. 
• Leave everything as is. Let the police secure the premises and do their job.  

What Do You Do Next?

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

• Cancel credit cards and notify your bank . If a thief snagged purses, wallets, or personal documents, you must notify your credit card issuers and banks right away. It’s smart to lock accounts and your credit. You might also add a fraud alert with the three main credit bureaus.
• Call your insurer. Initiate a claim with your insurer. This should be done within one day of the burglary. 
• Record damage on camera. Document smashed windows, forced doors, and anything else that’s been damaged.
• Document what was taken. Create a record of what’s gone and provide it to law enforcement and your Insurer.
• Secure your home. Restore your home’s security by installing new locks, fixing doors and windows, and taking care of other damage. If you utilize a keypad lock, now is the time to reset your codes.

Tidying up will bring you some peace and get life back to normal. After you’re done, it’s time to consider enhancing your home security.

Strengthen The Security At Your Oakland Home

What can you do to prevent another break-in from occurring? Your starting point should be to take stock of your home security. A new system with these devices will work wonders in better protecting your home: 

• Surveillance cameras: Just about all prowlers will hesitate when they notice surveillance cameras. Modern outdoor and doorbell cameras give you advanced capabilities like smart detection. Any time there’s questionable activity, you’ll receive an alert. 
• Access-point sensors: All doors and windows (specifically those on the ground level) should be protected by glass-break or contact sensors.
• Smart locks and lights: These automated devices can be controlled from anywhere. Concerned you neglected to lock your door? You can verify and operate the lock from your phone. You can even have inside lighting go on if a camera detects an unwanted guest.

If you are searching for an integrated system that notifies you and monitoring staff any time a camera or sensor is tripped, consider a package from ADT, your home security experts. You’ll benefit from mobile access, round-the-clock monitoring, and convenient automation.

Prevent Break-Ins With The Leading Home Security Systems In Oakland

Stop burglaries at your property with an ADT home security package in Oakland from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As your trusted ADT dealer, we install modern equipment from the industry leader. Explore your options by dialing (510) 295-0552 or completing our form today.