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It’s every resident’s nightmare. You pull up the driveway to see your door has been forced open or a window smashed. You can’t think clearly, worrying about what’s missing and the damage to your property. What will you do? Stay calm, take a breath, and follow our recommendations after a break-in at your Chattanooga home.  

When things calm down, explore how to better prevent break-ins with the latest home security system.

Initial Steps After A Burglary

Discovering your house has been broken into is traumatic. You could be frightened, angry, or simply in shock. Regardless, it’s critical to respond rationally by doing the following: 

• Do not enter. It’s only natural that you want to run inside to see what happened. Don’t. There’s a possibility a burglar is still there.
• Contact the authorities right away.  Keep yourself and loved ones at a safe spot nearby and wait for emergency services. Work with the police to file a report. 
• Avoid touching anything. Let the police secure the scene and gather evidence.  

What Are The Next Steps?

You’ve conversed with law enforcement, and your home is clear to re-enter. What should you do next? 

• Notify your bank and credit card companies . If a burglar snagged wallets, purses, or personal records, you’ll want to alert your credit card companies and banks at once. It’s smart to lock accounts and your credit. You can also add a fraud alert with the major credit bureaus.
• Call your insurer. File a claim with your insurer. This needs to be done within 24 hours of the break-in. 
• Take photos of the damage. Document smashed windows, forced doors, and any other damage you find.
• Document what is missing. Make a list of what’s gone and provide it to law enforcement and your insurance provider.
• Secure your house. Restore your home’s security by replacing locks, fixing doors and windows, and taking care of other damage. If you have a keypad lock system, now is the time to reset your codes.

Tidying up will help ease your mind and get life back to normal. After you’re done, it’s time to start thinking upgrading your home security.

Evaluate And Upgrade Your Chattanooga Home’s Security

What should you do to prevent another intrusion from happening? Your initial step should be to take stock of your home security. An advanced system with these devices will work wonders in keeping your home safe: 

• Surveillance cameras: Nearly every prowler will hesitate when they notice video cameras. Today’s exterior and doorbell cameras offer advanced functionality like AI-driven smart detection. Any time there’s questionable activity, you’ll get a notification. 
• Entry-point sensors: All doors and windows (specifically those on the ground level) should be safeguarded by glass-break or contact sensors.
• Smart lights and locks: These automated devices can be managed remotely. Concerned you neglected to lock your door? You can verify and activate the lock directly from your smartphone. You can even have interior lights turn on if a camera spots someone lurking.

If you are looking for an integrated system that notifies you and monitoring staff any time a device is set off, consider a package from the home security leaders at ADT. You’ll appreciate the mobile access, 24-hour monitoring, and advanced automation.

Avoid Break-Ins With The Top Home Security Systems In Chattanooga

Stop intrusions at your property with an ADT home security system in Chattanooga from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As your authorized ADT dealer, we install advanced equipment from the top name in the business. Explore your options by calling (423) 241-8594 or completing our form today.