Each year in the U.S., there are an estimated 2.5 million burglaries. If this has happened to you, you know the fear and anxiety you feel after a break-in.
What should you do in the moments after discovering your home has been broken into or hearing someone come in? Knowing the steps to take in a moment of fear is hard, so it’s important to have a solid plan. If it never does, great news. If it does, you’re a little more prepared.
Let’s dive into what you can do with the help of our sponsor, SimpliSafe.
Here are the steps to take
Leave immediately if you get home and believe someone has burglarized your property. You can’t be sure the home is empty and shouldn’t take chances.
Be sure not to touch anything, and call 911 right away. Go somewhere safe, like a neighbor’s house or lock yourself in your car. Look around for anything suspicious, like a car you don’t recognize or anyone on foot. Take note so you can give this information to the police.
Once the police arrive, it’s time to assess what was taken and any damage. Check for missing electronics, jewelry, medications, collectibles and other valuables. If you have footage of the break-in from home security cameras, great. The police may use this to find the suspects, and you can use it to see what was taken.
After that, it’s time to contact your insurance company and bank. You need to start the process of reporting what was stolen. Your bank can help lock down your accounts in case cards, checks or bills with your account information were taken. You can also freeze your credit.
What if you are home during the break-in? SimpliSafe says the first 30 seconds are crucial. Don’t make any sound; get up and lock the door of the room you’re in. Listen closely, and call 911 immediately. From there, you can try to leave out a window or down a fire escape or stay put. If you leave the room, find your car keys and press the panic button. This could scare the intruder(s) into leaving.
For more steps to take, head to SimpliSafe’s blog.
Protect yourself from future break-ins
When you sign up for SimpliSafe, you’re getting defense against all the curveballs life throws at you. You’ll get protection from any threat, from natural disasters to burglars or violent criminals. SimpliSafe even has a panic button to trigger medical alerts.
Even if you’re in a safe neighborhood, you’ve got to prepare for break-ins. Tap or click here to find out what crimes have taken place in your neighborhood — you may be surprised. Let me tell you about some of the great features you’ll find:
- Video doorbell: Want to see who’s hanging around your front door? Have a package being delivered and need to keep an eye out for porch pirates? Now you can watch over it all — without leaving the couch — with the SimpliSafe Video Doorbell Pro. You’ll receive alerts on your phone for all activity out front. See what’s happening, night or day, in crisp wide-angle HDR video and even talk to guests without getting up to answer the door.
- Entry sensors: Defend your windows and doors with easy-to-install entry sensors. The magnet can be placed up to two inches from the sensor, so sensors fit on all types of doors and windows.
- Smart locks: The majority of break-ins happen through an unlocked entry. The SimpliSafe Smart Lock ensures your door is always locked — even if you forget. It locks your door the minute you arm your system or automatically on a timer and unlocks it the moment you disarm your system — all without a phone or key.
- HD camera: Watch live HD video and audio 24/7 for free from your smartphone, tablet or computer with SimpliSafe’s security camera that includes intruder and motion alerts.
Don’t just take it from me
Let me introduce you to Chief of Police Joseph Balog, who works in Genoa City, Wisconsin. “My force used SimpliSafe to stop a serial burglary ring,” he said. “It still helps us catch other criminals in the act today.”
If you want to prevent a potential criminal from breaking into your home, SimpliSafe is the way to go. Tap or click here to hear from one mother who uses SimpliSafe to protect her sons. Bottom line: You’re getting lightning-fast response rates with affordable equipment, easy installation and no lock-in contracts.
Go to SimpliSafeKim.com and get a FREE HD home security camera when you purchase a SimpliSafe system. You’ll also receive a 60-day risk-free trial, so there’s nothing to lose!
