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Break-Ins: The Aftermath

If you were burgled, you know the traumatizing experience that it can give. This will leave a mark that will keep you on the edge. We in Mobile Locksmith Northern Ireland made this article to guide you on how to reestablish your home security.

Following a break-in you must:

Contact the police. If you were away when the break-in happened, your instinct might tell you to go in and investigate. We highly advise not to do this, you never know if the perpetrators are still there.

We recommend going to a secure place, such as your vehicle or a neighbor’s house, and reporting the break-in to the police. If it is not an emergency, such as if your life is not in danger, we recommend dialing 101 rather than 999. However, if you are afraid that there are still people in your house, we recommend dialing 999 for emergency assistance.

Keep track of missing items. When the police show up, they’ll write down evidence and statements, as well as to inquire as to whether someone saw anything and what things you suspect are missing. They will then prepare a summary and assign you a case number; you can write this number down because it will be useful for insurance claims and will help you keep track of your case.

Photograph everything. Taking pictures will help you in the long run as you stack your evidence list, this strengthens your case more. Take pictures of where the burglar entered, like broken doors and windows. Also, take pictures of damages you find.

Contact a Locksmith. After the police end their initial investigation and give you the signal, quickly contact a locksmith. You need to replace every lock in your house, even window locks. Don’t think about getting them repaired, burglars usually target houses they already know the layout of. So, it is best to replace all locks and secure your property.

When you contact a locksmith, we always recommend that you meet with them to determine which security locks are suitable for your home and what benefits they have. Since not all locks are made alike, installing a higher security lock will help you restore some sense of security. Inquire regarding their home protection recommendations and what they think should be done to your property to reduce the likelihood of a future incident.

A day after a break-in

List the items stolen. Even if the police have their list, it is best to try and make one of your own. When making this list, try to find receipts that prove you bought the items and how much is it. Also, note how long you have the item.

Preventing future break-ins by securing your house.

Get better locks. As previously said, no lock is created equal; however, certain locks have enhanced security features and burglar deterrents that can help discourage anyone to try and burgle you. Updating your home’s protection not only makes you feel safer but also sends a message to burglars that you’ve taken measures to make yourself a tougher target.

Mount lights that are motion activated. Burglars usually strike when it’s dark. They especially love dimly lit places. Getting motion active lights would help scare away would-be thieves. Mount these lights in dark places around your home like your garden.

Consider installing a security system. Security cameras and burglar alarms are not only excellent systems for ensuring that your home is secure, but they also serve as excellent visual deterrents to potential intruders. Ultimately, the safest way to avoid crime and keep your home safe is to make yourself a less tempting option for would-be intruders.

In summary, security measures like these will help you deter burglars to target your house again. But for those who have never experienced it, it would be wise to plan and take the necessary steps in order for you to be safe from potential perpetrators. In Mobile Locksmith Northern Ireland, we provide these services and more. When you need help with your home security, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Security Measures Against Break-Ins

It is a traumatic experience when a break-in happens. An unknown individual breaking in and entering will make anyone feel unsafe in their house. Changing locks is the normal thing to do after, but what’s next? For you not to experience this, we made a guide that will discourage burglars from entering your home. Do note that there is no way to discourage them completely, this guide will only talk about precautionary measures that you can do.

  1. Improving your Locks

Check your locks around your house, do they look broken, rusted, or old? When you have these locks, change them immediately. But when you do, don’t settle for the same model of locks. Try to find better versions to ramp up your home security. So when the time comes for you to replace a lock, contact a locksmith to make sure you have the recent and the best type of locks. It might be expensive, but it will be worth it in the long run.

It’s also better to check with your insurer about your locks. It is possible you might have the wrong locks when a break-in happens, so you may not be able to claim.

  1. Assess your Door’s Strength

Having a good strong door is a must-have to prevent break-ins. It must be strong enough to withstand a kick from a burglar. Even having good locks, if a person can kick through your door, we have a problem. One way to strengthen your door is to reinforce it with metal plates. This can be attached with screws that are drilled in. It is better for a professional locksmith to do this process but if you want to save money, you can purchase these plates online or in DIY shops.

While reinforcing your door, try to improve the frame as well. Make sure that the frame is firmly attached to the walls. If it isn’t, you can secure it by using special bars and fitting them on the hinges and locking points. Another is using hinge bolts to prevent doors from being forcefully removed from their hinges.

  1. Doors with Windows

Having doors with windows may look good, but it poses as an entry path for burglars. They can take advantage of the windows, smashing them and unlocking your door from the inside. Especially if the window is placed near the lock. This is a very scary thought and it is advised to change doors. But if you don’t want to change it, reinforcing the glass is another choice. Installing bars on the inside will prevent burglars from unlocking the door. You can also have these bars stylized to be more decorative.

  1. Other Stuff that you can Do

If your door has everything that we listed, you can do more to improve your home security. Getting a door chain will definitely provide more protection. If your lock fails the chain can be its other layer of protection. Also, if your door has a letterbox installed in it, burglars can use a tactic called ‘fishing’. This is where the burglar uses a long wire and inserting it through the letterbox. You can prevent this by installing a letterbox guard.

Having a security light will also be an improvement for your security. Most of the time, this will deter burglars from targeting your house. They usually love to hide in darkness, masking their figures and faces. Having a bright light that shines from your door will definitely scare them away. Lastly, a security camera is another layer of home security. This is actually a scare tactic as they will not going to risk breaking in while they know a camera is pointed to them

All in all, improving your security is a must to deter break-ins. It is not guaranteed that these security measures will totally dissuade burglars, but having them will give you a good chance of not having to deal with an unwanted intruder. Mobile Locksmith Northern Ireland has all of these and more, when you need someone to ramp up your home security, give us a call.

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