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It’s every family’s nightmare. You pull up the driveway to see your door has been kicked in or a window broken. You can’t think straight, fretting about what’s missing and the damage to your house. What can you do? Take a breath, stay calm, and follow these tips after a break-in at your Albany home.  

Once the dust settles, learn how to better prevent break-ins with an advanced security system.

Initial Steps After A Break-In

Finding your house has been broken into is traumatizing. You could be upset, frightened, or just in disbelief. Regardless, it’s essential to respond rationally by doing the following: 

• Don’t go inside. It’s only natural that you want to run inside to look around. Don’t. There’s a risk an intruder is still there.
• Contact the authorities immediately.  Keep yourself and loved ones at a safe distance and hold tight until help arrives. Work with law enforcement to file a report. 
• Leave everything as is. Let the police secure the scene and collect evidence.  

What Should You Do Next?

You’ve conversed with law enforcement, and it’s safe to go back inside. What should you do next? 

• Cancel credit cards and alert your bank . If a thief stole personal records, purses, or wallets, you’ll wish to notify your credit card issuers and banks immediately. It’s wise to lock accounts and your credit. You may also add a fraud alert with the three main credit bureaus.
• Call your insurance company. Initiate a claim with your insurer. This should be done within one day of the break-in. 
• Take photos of the damage. Document broken windows, kicked-in doors, and anything else that’s been damaged.
• Inventory stolen goods. Make a list of what’s gone and provide it to the authorities and your Insurer.
• Secure your house. Make your home safe again by switching out locks, fixing doors and windows, and taking care of other damage. If you have a keypad lock system, now is the time to change your codes.

Cleaning up will help ease your mind and restore a sense of normalcy. After you do so, it’s time to consider enhancing your home security.

Evaluate And Upgrade Your Albany Home’s Security

What should you do to prevent another burglary from taking place? Your initial step should be to take stock of your home’s security. A modern system with these devices will go a long way to strengthening your home’s protection: 

• Video cameras: Nearly all prowlers will hesitate when they notice video cameras. Modern outdoor and doorbell cameras offer advanced functionality like smart detection. Whenever there’s unusual activity, you’ll get a notification. 
• Access-point sensors: All doors and windows (especially those on the ground level) should be shielded by contact or glass-break sensors.
• Smart lights and locks: These automated tools can be controlled from anywhere. Worried you neglected to lock your door? You can check and operate the lock directly from your smartphone. You can even have inside lights switch on if a camera discovers someone lurking.

If you are searching for a connected system that warns you and monitoring staff any time a sensor or camera is triggered, consider a package from ADT, your home security leaders. You’ll appreciate the smartphone access, 24-hour monitoring, and custom automation.

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

Stop burglaries at your property with an ADT home security system in Albany from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As an authorized ADT dealer, we install modern equipment from the top name in the business. Discover your options by calling (518) 303-3311 or filling out our form today.