After a break-in: Steps to Take for Home Security Restoration
Securing Your Home After a Burglary: A Comprehensive Guide
When faced with the unfortunate event of a home burglary in Victoria, it's essential to take immediate action to secure your property and ensure your safety. Here's a step-by-step guide on what to do after a burglary.
1. Prioritise Safety
If you suspect the burglar is still inside your home, do not enter. Instead, go to a safe place such as a neighbour's house or your car and call Triple Zero (000) immediately. If you believe it's safe but have signs of forced entry or damage, avoid touching anything until the police arrive[1].
2. Report the Burglary to the Police
In case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). For non-urgent reports, contact the Victoria Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or use their online reporting tool[2]. Provide detailed information about the burglary, including the time it occurred, any weapons seen, rooms accessed, stolen items, descriptions of suspects or vehicles involved. This helps police investigations[1][3][5].
3. Secure Your Home
Arrange immediate repairs to broken windows, doors, or locks to prevent further intrusions. Change or replace locks if keys were stolen. Consider improving home security with measures such as deadlocks, security screens, alarms, and lighting[4][2].
4. Claim on Home and Contents Insurance
Contact your insurer promptly to notify them of the burglary. Provide your police report details and an inventory of stolen or damaged items. Follow insurer instructions for documentation like photos, receipts, or quotes for repairs to support your claim[4].
5. Improve Home Security
After the burglary, review and strengthen your home security. Keep all entry points locked, install deadlocks and security screens, and use security cameras or alarms. Develop a relationship with neighbours and report suspicious activity to create a safer community environment[2].
Additional Security Measures
- Install a safe for valuables and store passports, birth certificates, and spare keys in a secure, hidden safe.
- Add CCTV or video doorbells to deter would-be thieves and record evidence.
- Remove spare keys hidden outside your home and avoid key safes.
- Do not leave boxes on your nature strip when you purchase new items.
- Utilize 24/7 emergency trades for emergency repairs of doors and locks.
- When away from home for a long time, make it look like someone is still home by getting a house-sitter, avoiding advertising holiday plans online, setting timers to turn lights and the television on and off, or installing a video doorbell to remotely respond to someone ringing your doorbell or approaching your home.
- Install 'Find My' applications on electronics and GPS trackers on motor vehicles.
These steps help ensure your immediate safety, assist police in their investigation, facilitate insurance claims, and reduce the likelihood of future burglaries[1][2][3][4][5]. For more information, visit the Victims of Crime website or use resources like How Safe is My Place to generate a customised report of the crime prevention tactics you can directly apply to your home. If you're experiencing distress or disruption due to a crime, seek out a mental health professional for support.
- To bolster your home's security following a burglary, examine personal-finance options for investing in home-and-garden improvements such as deadlocks, security screens, and alarms.
- General-news sources can provide valuable insights on crime-and-justice trends and offer prevention tips that could help safeguard your lifestyle.
- Incorporating lifestyle changes like securing expensive items in a safe and avoiding advertising your absence from home on social media may further deter potential burglars.
