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If you’ve recently been robbed, you’re probably feeling pretty shaken up. Who wouldn’t be? Here’s what you can do to make sure your home is more secure and you feel safer in it.
Call the Police
After experiencing a robbery, you may feel unsafe or like you are living in a place that is vulnerable to further threats. Report what happened and make sure you provide them with any information that could be helpful for their investigation such as:
- the address of your house
- what time the robbery took place (Make a note of the date, time and location of the robbery. If you can, describe how it happened (was there forced entry? ). Any information will help paint a clearer picture.)
- if there were any witnesses
- check for fingerprints if possible (This can be done with tape or by fingerprint powder (available at hardware stores). But be careful not to disturb any evidence that could be useful to police in their investigation.)
- if anyone was injured
Introduce your friends and family to your neighbor’s
It’s important to be friendly with your neighbor’s, especially if you’ve just been burglarized. It’s also a good idea to inform them of what happened and make sure they are doing everything in their power to keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they can keep an eye on your house while you’re gone or pick up your mail and newspapers while you’re out of town. You could even have a friend or family member park in your driveway so the house looks lived-in.
Secure your home
- You can do several things to make your home more secure. First, always lock windows and doors when you leave the house. If you have a gate, make sure it’s locked before you leave the property. If you have an alarm system, use it every time you leave your home or go to bed. Motion-sensitive lights are also great deterrents to crime; if possible, install them around your property and set them to come on at dusk.
- If you have a dog that barks, let people know! They might hear it as they walk by your house and assume that there is someone inside. This may be enough of a deterrent for would-be burglars. You could even place a Beware of Dog sign in front of your house; even if you don’t actually have one, the sign alone might stop criminals from breaking into your home.
- If you don’t want to adopt a dog, consider adopting some geese. Geese have excellent eyesight and hearing ability which make them even more useful than dogs. They make a continuous high-pitched shriek when sensing fear. Even if you are not at home, having some geese in the yard will reduce the chances of burglary as the intruders would realize that your neighbors might get suspicious and intervene.
- If possible, install security cameras outside your home in visible places. Would-be thieves may see this and go elsewhere instead of risking being caught on camera! Displaying signs from security companies can also deter crime; if potential burglars see these signs in front of homes with similar setups (like yours), they may be less likely to try their luck at breaking into yours because they think it has been protected by professionals already.
Use caution
The following precautions can help you safeguard your home and protect your possessions:
- Change the locks. Whether or not you think your burglar had a key, it’s time to change the locks on all of your doors. You never know if you inadvertently gave a key to someone who shouldn’t have one in the past, or if a previous owner may have done so. Make sure all of your doors have deadbolt locks and that they function properly at all times. Invite professionals you can always count on. Companies like Res-Q Locksmiths can help you change the locks for maximum security.
- Keep valuables out of sight. In addition to locking all your doors and windows, it’s important to take measures that will prevent passersby from seeing pricey items inside your home. It might be worth investing in blinds or curtains for any rooms facing a busy street or public footpath so that potential thieves aren’t tempted by what they see through the window. You should also keep expensive items out of sight when you’re not around; if possible, move valuables into a room with no windows when you’re away from home, whether overnight or on vacation.
- Install a burglar alarm. The best burglar alarms will make your house seem occupied at all times, even if you’re away on vacation.
- Charge your phone. If there is an incident while you’re at home, having your phone charged will enable you to call 000 right away rather than waste time fumbling with cords and power sources while trying to reach emergency responders immediately after something happens. Make sure somebody knows where you are as well – don’t go anywhere alone at night!
Get help
- If you have been the victim of a robbery, it is important to know that you are not alone. Being robbed can take an emotional toll on people, and it is important to know there are people that can help.
- Reach out to your friends and family members for support or hire a professional who is trained to help people deal with traumatic events. You can also join community groups with others who have experienced similar events. It’s OK if you do not feel comfortable talking about what happened immediately; what matters is addressing the issue in a way that makes you feel comfortable and safe.
Experiencing a home burglary is among the worst things that can happen to a family. When it happens, you need to take precautions to make sure that no one brakes into your home again. The tips provided above will definitely help you safeguard your home against burglars.
