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It’s every family’s nightmare. You arrive home to see your front door is wide open or a window smashed. You can hardly process what’s happened, stressing about what’s been stolen and the harm done to your property. What should you do? Take a breath, stay calm, and follow these steps after a break-in at your Wichita Falls home.  

When you’re ready, explore how to better prevent break-ins with the latest home security system.

First Steps After A Burglary

Seeing your house burglarized is traumatic. You may be scared, upset, or simply in shock. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s important to respond rationally by doing the following: 

• Stay outside. It’s not surprising that you want to run inside to look around. Don’t. There’s a chance a burglar is still present.
• Contact law enforcement right away.  Keep yourself and family members safely away and hold tight until help arrives. Work with the police to make an official report. 
• Avoid touching anything. Let officers take over and gather evidence.  

What Do You Do Next?

You’ve spoken with law enforcement, and your home is safe to re-enter. What should you do next? 

• Cancel credit cards and alert your bank . If an intruder stole purses, wallets, or personal documents, you’ll want to contact your credit card issuers and banks at once. It’s smart to lock accounts and your credit. You might also place a fraud alert with the three main credit bureaus.
• Call your insurer. Initiate a claim with your insurer. This needs to be done within a day of the burglary. 
• Take pictures of damage. Document smashed windows, forced doors, and any other damage you discover.
• Document what is missing. Make a list 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 windows and doors, and repairing other damage. If you have a digital lock, now is the time to update your codes.

Tidying up will bring you some peace and make things feel normal. Once you do, it’s time to think about upgrading your home security.

Evaluate And Upgrade The Security At Your Wichita Falls Home

What should you do to prevent another break-in from taking place? Your starting point should be to assess your home’s security. A new system with these tools will go a long way to keeping your home safe: 

• Surveillance cameras: Almost every trespasser will hesitate when they observe surveillance cameras. Modern exterior and doorbell cameras offer advanced features like smart detection. Whenever there’s unusual activity, you’ll be sent an alert. 
• Access-point sensors: All doors and windows (especially those on the lower level) should be protected by glass-break or contact sensors.
• Smart locks and lights: These automated tools can be operated from anywhere. Worried you neglected to lock your door? You can check and operate the lock from your mobile device. You can even have inside lighting go on if a camera detects someone lurking.

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

Stop Break-Ins With The Leading Home Security Systems In Wichita Falls

Stop break-ins from happening with an ADT home security package in Wichita Falls from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As an authorized ADT dealer, we install advanced equipment from the industry leader. Explore your options by dialing (940) 217-5181 or filling out our form today.