We all hope it never happens, but statistics have revealed that an attempted break-in occurs every 15 seconds. This figure amounts to about 2.1 million burglary attacks every year, with most part affecting residential areas. What should you do if your apartment has been burgled? The following steps can help you manage the aftermath of a break-in successfully.

Call the Police

Although this might sound like a no-brainer, your instinct could cause you to act differently in the heat of the moment. But getting the police involved immediately is really important. If you think the burglar might still be inside, leave the home and call 911 immediately instead of confronting the criminal. If you feel safe going into the home, do not touch anything as this could destroy valuable evidence. Instead, take pictures of the damage done by the criminal – this could be useful to the police and insurance claim company.

Determine what is missing and file a report

Conduct a thorough assessment of your home to find out what is missing. This may include items such as your credit card which can be used for personal identity theft. Once you are sure about the stolen items, it is important to file a victim’s report. The police officer attending to your case should give you details that will help you file a report and if there was security footage of the event, the officer might help you take a footage file along.

File an Insurance Claim

Go through your insurance policy to see what you can make claim for following a burglary. Although you may think some low value items should not be included, you may discover there are provisions for such. Keep a record of every stolen or damaged item and following the submission of your request to the insurance company, an adjuster or investigator would be assigned to run checks in your home to verify your claims. Cooperate with your insurer and be ready to provide explanations for specific questions they might have. Staying in a hotel or moving in with a friend temporarily until the adjuster arrives would be a great idea so you do not tamper with the evidence.

Secure your home again

Securing your home again as quickly as possible is the next ideal step. After the police have left, ensure you get damaged windows and doors fixed so you can feel secure again. Call a locksmith in Tucson AZ to check the locks and get them fixed quickly.

Key cylinders are spring loaded with a series of pins that allow the cylinder to be turned when the proper key is inserted. Keys get stuck or won’t turn when the key grooves have become worn, the wrong key is inserted, it has been re-keyed improperly, screws have become loose, or there is dirt or grime preventing the key to insert properly or the tumblers from turning smoothly. Sometimes, this will  cause the key to either become stuck or to break off entirely inside the lock.

Key Extraction

When your key is stuck inside the lock, the first and most important thing to do is to not panic. Think clearly, and assess the situation. There are do-it-yourself methods, but the most time efficient way to get the key out without leaving damage to your locks is to contact a professional locksmith.

Methods for extracting a key include:

• Using a key extractor tool
• Tapping the lock
• Using a probe and pull method
• Pushing the key
• Icing the lock
• Lubricating the lock
• Using tweezers or scissors
• Using a mini saw blade
• Last resort is drilling

A professional who is skilled at key extractions will show up with the tools and technology needed to get the key out of the lock without damaging your locks. The skilled expert will show up and probably use a key extractor tool. This is a fast and simple way to get the key safely out in about 15 minutes. The technician will first determine whether or not the key is stuck or if the blade has broken off deep within the lock. The expert will also provide you with a spare or new key and make sure your lock is in working order or recommend a change of locks or a re keying.

Car Ignition or Trunk Key Extractions

When your key is stuck inside your ignition or trunk, a professional locksmith will be able to extract the key but with a slightly different method than the ones used on home or office door locks. An expert can usually remove your key from your car door, trunk, or ignition without leaving any damage.  This requires the use of a special key extraction tool.

Preventative Steps

There are preventative steps to take to make sure your key never gets stuck in the lock. Often, a key breaks off in the lock because we are in a hurry and turn it with more force than usual. Slow down, and take your time to lock or unlock your door smoothly. As simple as it sounds, make sure you are using the right key. If you carry several keys on a key chain, this is easier to confuse one key for another than you might imagine. Another tip for preventing a key stuck in lock is to make sure your locks and keys are properly maintained by cleaning out dirt or debris and making sure they are properly lubricated. If you notice wear and tear on your lock or your key, look into having it repaired, a new key cut, or new locks installed. Even when you take preventative measures, keys can still get stuck or break.

When you find your key stuck in lock, it’s time to contact a professional locksmith who will be able to show up at your location in no time to extract your key without damaging your locks and provide you with a duplicate key, change or re-key your lock on the spot.

You may think of an emergency situation only in terms of needing medical assistance, but an emergency is defined in the dictionary as:

A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.

There are times when you need the immediate expertise of an emergency locksmith.

When do you need an emergency locksmith?

Emergency Lock Out

One of the top reasons to need an emergency locksmith is because you are locked out of your home, office, or vehicle. Maybe you rushed out of the house and left your keys inside. Maybe you shut the car door, locking your keys inside. Whatever the reason for the lock out, it usually won’t happen during a convenient time. It’s usually an emergency.

Break-In

It’s not a situation anyone wants to think about, but home burglaries are definitely an emergency and is a very important time to call a locksmith to make sure your place is secured to prevent future intrusion or damages.

Lost or Broken Key

You have looked everywhere, and the key is just not turning up. Or, perhaps you know exactly where it is, but you cannot get to it because it’s broken off inside your car ignition or front door. It’s time to call an emergency locksmith to come and retrieve your damaged, broken key or replace a lost key with a duplicate.

New Home – Move

As soon as those keys to your new home are in your hand, it’s time to call an emergency locksmith to meet you at your new front door to re-key it or to change out the locks. Why? Because, the previous occupants probably have duplicate keys floating around potentially in the hands of strangers you may not be able to trust. Gain peace of mind with a fresh start at your new address by having an emergency locksmith come out and secure your locks from the beginning.

Forgot Safe Lock Combination

When you think of an emergency locksmith, scenarios that involve home, office, or vehicle keys come to mind, but if you’ve forgotten the combination to your safe, it’s a new kind of emergency. A safe is where you store important documents to keep them secure. When you forget your safe combination, it’s a stressful situation. An emergency locksmith is able to come to you and help you access your safe and then make sure your safe is secure for the future.

Emergency Locksmith Service

When do you need an emergency locksmith? Whenever you are in a situation that requires the professional and expert immediate services of someone who can make you more secure in a hurry. When you are in need of an emergency locksmith, call a local professional locksmith who is nearby, waiting, and ready to come to you in no time to help get you to safety and secure your locks for the future.