According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, there were 53,930 burglaries reported in the State of Georgia in 2017 alone.

A house break-in can be quite a traumatic experience for anyone. It leaves homeowners unsure about what they should do and makes them feel vulnerable for several days after the break-in.

If you ever find yourself in such a situation, you must remain calm and keep a cool head. This will enable you to respond to the situation in a much better way.

Here are 4 things you must do immediately:

Call the Police

If you are returning to your home and find that your house has been broken into, then you mustn’t go in. Instead, wait outside and call the police. Even though majority of the burglars run at the first sign of activity outside, there are still chances that the burglar is still your house. If you go in on your own, he could attack you. Wait for the police to arrive and search your house.

If your house has been broken into while you were sleeping, you must leave the house immediately with all your family members and then call the police. Your priority should be the safety of your family rather than your valuables, as burglaries that break into a house with occupants are more likely to attack. You must ensure that you aren’t touching anything on your way out, as police will likely obtain finger prints in order to identify the burglar.

Take Pictures

After your house been searched by the police, only then you must enter your home. The first thing you must do is take pictures of all the places that have been vandalized. This will not only serve as important evidence for the police, but will also help you make an insurance claim. However, wait for the police to complete their investigative procedures and only then proceed to take pictures.

If you have CCTV cameras in your home, then things will be much simpler for you. It will not only help you in insurance claims and police investigations, but also help you identify the weak areas in your security.

Inform the Insurance Company

Insurance companies usually have a time limit within which policyholders can file for a claim. Therefore, it is prudent to call the insurance company on the same night to inform them that you are willing to make a claim.

The insurance company will send an insurance assessor to assess your loss several days later, by which time the conditions in your home may have changed. This is where the pictures or the CCTV footage will play a key role.

Replace Your Locks

Having the locks replaced is a standard protocol that must be followed after every break-in. However, consider this as an opportunity to upgrade the security of your home.  Have deadbolt locks installed in your front and back doors, which will make it extremely difficult for burglars to break in.

If you are looking for a reliable locksmith Covington GA, then get in touch with us. We provide comprehensive locksmith services including:

• Install locks
• Re-key home locks
• Extract broken key
• Replace cylinder
• Install / repair deadbolts