With break-ins and home
invasions in the Brentwood, TN, area on the rise, it’s important to remember
that, although you may live in a safe neighborhood, you may still be at risk
for a burglary or home invasion.
Most burglaries occur during the day when
residents are more likely to be at work Protecting
your home and the valuables within is a common concern for all residents and
precautionary measures like installing an alarm or keeping your door locked can
be effective. But what do you do if you come home and find that your home has
been burglarized? Here are some steps to take if you come home to a break in:
1.
Dial 911 and
exit the premises immediately. If your pets are within arms reach, grab
them. Wait outside the home until the police arrive; either in a locked car or
a neighbors’ house.
2.
Do not enter
or search the premises. Let the police search your home before you enter.
The burglar may still be in the home.
3.
Don’t touch
anything inside until police have completed their investigation. Forensic
evidence is almost always left behind and can be easily contaminated.
4.
Do a walk
through and create a detailed list of damaged or stolen property and their
value. Make sure this list is included in the police report so you have
documented proof to give to your insurance company.
After the initial investigation
is over, you may want to consider browsing your local pawn shops for your
property every week or so. The police will check pawn shops for your property immediately
following the break in but stop after a few weeks. You may also want to
consider changing your locks or revaluating your current security system, even
if you’ve already had one put in place. Once you’ve experienced a break in, you
become six times more likely to be targeted again.
Experiencing a home invasion can
leave you feeling victimized, shocked, and violated. This is a common after
affect of a home invasion. The healing process can be long and not always
smooth. If you’re having trouble settling with your insurance company, let our
team at Merritt Webb help you.
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