What Should I Do After A Home Invasion?

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.