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It’s every homeowner’s nightmare. You pull in the driveway to see your front door has been forced open or a window broken. You can hardly process what’s happened, fretting about what’s been taken and the damage to your property. What can you do? Take a breath, stay calm, and follow these steps after a break-in at your Portland home.  

When things calm down, learn how to better prevent burglaries with an advanced security system.

Immediate Steps After A Break-In

Seeing your house burglarized is traumatizing. You could be angry, scared, or just in disbelief. Regardless, it’s critical to respond rationally by doing the following: 

• Stay outside. It may be tempting to go inside to look around. Don’t. There’s a risk someone is still on site.
• Call law enforcement at once.  Keep yourself and loved ones at a safe spot nearby and wait for emergency professionals. Work with law enforcement to make an official report. 
• Avoid touching anything. Let the police secure the scene and gather evidence.  

What Are The Next Steps?

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

• Alert your bank and credit card issuers . If a thief stole wallets, purses, or sensitive information, you’ll want to contact your credit card companies and banks immediately. It’s smart to freeze accounts and your credit. You can also request a fraud alert with the three main credit bureaus.
• Contact your insurance company. Start the claims process with your insurer. You should do so within one day of the incident. 
• Take photos of the damage. Document shattered windows, forced doors, and all other detectable damage.
• Document what is missing. Make a list of what’s gone and provide it to the police and your insurance provider.
• Secure your house. Restore your home’s security by installing new locks, fixing doors and windows, and taking care of other damage. If you have a keypad lock, now is the time to change your codes.

Tidying up will bring you some peace and make things feel normal. After you’re done, it’s time to consider upgrading your home security.

Evaluate And Upgrade Your Portland Home’s Security

What can you do to prevent another break-in from happening? Your initial step should be to assess your home’s security. A new system with these devices will go a long way to strengthening your home’s protection: 

• Video cameras: Nearly all would-be burglars will hesitate when they notice security cameras. Today’s exterior and doorbell cameras provide advanced features like AI-driven smart detection. When there’s questionable activity, you’ll be sent a warning. 
• Access-point sensors: All doors and windows (specifically those on the ground level) should be safeguarded by contact or glass-break sensors.
• Smart locks and lights: These automated components can be managed remotely. Concerned you neglected to lock your door? You can check and activate the lock right from your smartphone. You can even have interior lighting go on if a camera spots an unwanted guest.

If you are searching for an integrated system that warns you and monitoring representatives any time a device is set off, consider a package from ADT, your home security professionals. You’ll appreciate the remote access, 24-hour monitoring, and convenient automation.

Avoid Break-Ins With The Best Home Security In Portland

Stop burglaries from happening with an ADT home security system in Portland from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As an authorized ADT dealer, we install modern equipment from the most respected name in the business. Learn more about your options by dialing (503) 300-4377 or submitting our form today.