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It’s every resident’s nightmare. You pull up the driveway and find your door has been forced open or a window smashed. You can hardly process what’s happened, fretting about what’s missing and the damage to your home. What should you do? Take a breath, stay calm, and follow our recommendations after a break-in at your New Orleans home.  

When you’re ready, explore how to better prevent break-ins with the latest home security system.

Immediate Steps After A Break-In

Finding your house has been burglarized is unsettling. You might be scared, angry, or simply in disbelief. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s essential to stay level-headed by doing the following: 

• Do not enter. It could be tempting to rush inside to look around. Don’t. There’s a chance someone is still there.
• Call the authorities immediately.  Keep yourself and family members safely away and wait for emergency services. Work with law enforcement to file a report. 
• Avoid touching anything. Allow officers take charge and do their job.  

What Are The Next Steps?

You’ve conversed with the authorities, and your home is safe to re-enter. What should you do next? 

• Contact your bank and credit card issuers . If a thief stole purses, wallets, or personal records, you must alert your credit card issuers and banks right away. It’s smart to lock accounts and your credit. You can also add a fraud alert with credit bureaus.
• Reach out to your insurance provider. Start the claims process with your insurance provider. This needs to be done within 24 hours of the burglary. 
• Take photos of the damage. Document shattered windows, forced doors, and all other detectable damage.
• Document what was taken. Make a list of what’s missing and provide it to law enforcement and your insurance company.
• Secure your house. Restore your home’s security by replacing locks, fixing doors and windows, and addressing remaining damage. If you utilize a keypad lock, now is the time to update your codes.

Tidying up will bring you some peace and restore a sense of normalcy. After you do so, it’s time to consider improving your home security.

Evaluate And Upgrade Your New Orleans Home’s Security

How can you keep this from occuring again? Your initial step should be to take stock of your home security. A new system with these tools will work wonders in keeping your home safe: 

• Surveillance cameras: Nearly every trespasser will reconsider their plans when they see video cameras. Newer outdoor and doorbell cameras offer advanced features like smart detection. Whenever there’s unusual activity, you’ll get an alert. 
• Entry-point sensors: All doors and windows (especially those on the ground floor) should be safeguarded by contact or glass-break sensors.
• Smart lights and locks: These automated devices can be operated from anywhere. Concerned you neglected to lock up? You can check and engage the lock right from your phone. You can even have interior lights switch on if a camera detects an unwanted guest.

If you are searching for a modern system that alerts you and monitoring staff whenever a camera or sensor is tripped, consider a package from the home security leaders at ADT. You’ll appreciate the smartphone access, 24-hour monitoring, and advanced automation.

Stop Break-Ins With The Top Home Security Systems In New Orleans

Stop burglaries before they happen with an ADT home security system in New Orleans from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As your authorized ADT dealer, we install advanced equipment from the industry leader. Discover your options by reaching out to (504) 291-4028 or completing our form today.