If you’ve ever been the
victim of a home invasion, then you know what a traumatic event it can be.
Between feelings of anger, anxiousness, and violation, it can be difficult to
recover. Afterwards, you want to do everything in your power to prevent
anything like it from happening again. To help those who have recently
experienced a situation like this, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to
recovering after a
home invasion. Continue reading to learn more.
What Should I Do
First After A Home Invasion?
After the initial shock of discovering that someone has broken into your
home, staying focused can be difficult. You may not be in a place to think
practically. Here’s where you can start.
Step 1: Contact the Authorities
The first thing that you are going to want to do after you’ve
discovered that your home has been invaded or
burglarized, is to evacuate the home, go to a safe location and notify law
enforcement. It is important that you do not enter the home until officers have
given you the okay. Entering before the home has been cleared by police can not only
destroy evidence, but more importantly, it can put you or your family at risk.
After notifying the police, you might consider notifying your neighbors. The
more people keeping an eye out for
suspicious activity, the better.
Step 2: Take
Photos
Once the police have given you the okay to re-enter, you will want to
do so carefully. Be sure to take photos of the home before you touch or
move anything. You’ll also want to take note of the date, time, and any
other relevant details. This will come in handy when you are ready to contact
your
insurance company. Be sure to write down anything that is missing
and what its estimated value is. It’s important to know that things like family
heirlooms cannot be replaced, but you might be able to get reimbursement for
their
value.
Step 3: File
Reports with the Police and Your Insurance
After collecting all of the details, you will want to file reports
with both the police and your insurance company. The more
details you can provide, the better. The police will use these details to help
find the culprit and the insurance company will use the details to decide how
you may be compensated for any damage caused, and for your losses. It’s
important to know that although many homeowner and renters
insurance policies cover vandalism and theft, the
extent to which they are covered is going to vary.
How Do I Start to Recover Emotionally After a Home Invasion?
Recovering from a home invasion isn’t always a quick and easy process.
For many people, there are lingering feelings of fear, and even anger for a long
time. Here are two things you can do to begin the healing process.
Set Up Prevention Methods
It is always a good idea to strengthen your home security, whether a home break-in is something that you have experienced first-hand or not. Taking preventive measures may be a big part of the healing process and added peace of mind can make all the difference. Things you can do to help prevent another incident can include:
● Leave things like lights, radios, and
tv’s on when you are away from home.
● Improve the quality of your locks by adding a
deadbolt or an additional locking mechanism to your doors and windows.
● Improve the quality of your doors by replacing
them with heavy security
doors.
● Install cameras, sensors, and/or an entire
security system.
● Install alarms on your windows.
Talk With Someone
The healing process after a home invasion can take
time. For some, it can feel difficult to feel safe in their own home. If this sounds
like you, you might consider staying with friends or family for a few days.
While it won’t completely resolve this issue, it can provide the time you need
to recharge and clear your mind. You might also consider speaking with a
counselor or therapist, as they are
often able to help process the psychological impact of events such as these.
We know that keeping your home and family safe are of the utmost
importance. To learn more about how you can strengthen your home security,
check out the link below.
