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.