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It’s every resident’s nightmare. You return home to see your door is wide open or a window broken. You can’t think straight, worrying about what’s missing and the damage to your property. What should you do? Remain calm, take a deep breath, and follow our recommendations after a break-in at your Tampa home.  

Once the dust settles, learn how to better prevent burglaries with the latest home security system.

Initial Steps After A Burglary

Discovering your house has been burglarized is unsettling. You may be furious, scared, or just in disbelief. Regardless, it’s essential to act rationally by doing the following: 

• Don’t go inside. It may be tempting to run inside to assess the situation. Don’t. There’s a possibility an intruder is still inside.
• Call the police at once.  Keep yourself and loved ones at a safe spot nearby and wait until first responders arrive. Work with law enforcement to file a report. 
• Leave everything as is. Allow officers take charge and do their job.  

What Should You Do Next?

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

• Cancel credit cards and alert your bank . If an intruder snagged wallets, purses, or sensitive information, you’ll want to notify your credit card companies and banks right away. It’s wise to lock accounts and your credit. You might also request a fraud alert with the major credit bureaus.
• Call your insurance company. Start the claims process with your insurer. This should be done within 24 hours of the break-in. 
• Take pictures of damage. Document smashed windows, forced doors, and any other damage you see.
• Document what is missing. Make a list of what’s been stolen and provide it to the authorities and your Insurer.
• Secure your house. Make your home safe again by switching out locks, fixing windows and doors, and taking care of other damage. If you utilize a keypad lock, now is the time to change your codes.

Getting your home back in order will bring you some peace and make things feel normal. After you do so, it’s time to think about upgrading your home security.

Assess And Improve Your Tampa Home’s Security

How can you prevent this from occuring again? Your first step should be to evaluate your home’s security. A modern system with these tools will work wonders in strengthening your home’s protection: 

• Video cameras: Almost all prowlers will hesitate when they see video cameras. Today’s exterior and doorbell cameras offer advanced capabilities like smart detection. When there’s unusual activity, you’ll get a notification. 
• Access-point sensors: All doors and windows (especially those on the lower level) should be safeguarded by glass-break or contact sensors.
• Smart lights and locks: These automated devices can be operated from anywhere. Worried you didn’t lock up? You can check and engage the lock right from your mobile device. You can even have interior lights turn on if a camera detects suspicious activity.

If you are searching for a modern system that alerts you and monitoring staff any time a camera or sensor is set off, consider a package from ADT, your home security experts. You’ll enjoy the mobile access, 24-hour monitoring, and custom automation.

Avoid Break-Ins With The Top Home Security Systems In Tampa

Stop intrusions before they happen with an ADT home security package in Tampa from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As an authorized ADT dealer, we install modern equipment from the top name in the business. Explore your options by calling (813) 355-0757 or submitting our form today.