If you’ve recently been the victim of a burglary, your family will be understandably going through a difficult time. The knowledge that someone has entered your home and stolen your belongings is a traumatic event for any family to face. While the loss of personal items is upsetting, the feelings you experience are often more severe. The home that once made you feel relaxed and comfortable now feels unsafe for you to live in. Often victims can feel anxious that another incident may occur causing more devastation. While you might think that moving house is your only option, there are things you can do to regain your sense of security. It might sound impossible at the moment, but with some hard work and patience your home can feel like your own again. Follow this step by step guide to making your family home the safe haven it ought to be
Get into the right mindset
The first and most important thing you need to do is to get you and your family thinking in a more positive mindset. Burglaries are horrendous events but allowing them to take over your life is not advantageous. Accepting that is has happened and looking towards the future are the most effective ways of moving on with your life. Create a comfortable space within your home where your family can talk about what has happened. You might want to build a fort or have a sleepover in one of the bedrooms for example. This can be the perfect setting to unload how you are feeling and start deciding what you plan to do next. Counseling may also be an option, particularly if your children are finding it difficult to recover.
Change all the locks
The next step you need to take to make your home feel safe again is by changing all of the locks. It might seem unnecessary, particularly if the burglar only used one door or window to access your home. But it is possible that they might have taken a spare set of house keys during the burglary. This could give them an opportunity to get into your home again in future to steal more of your belongings. Search online for an experienced locksmith who can get this task done as quickly as possible. It’s not uncommon for thieves to return to the scene of the crime after a few day. So the sooner your locks are changed, the better. This can also be a perfect opportunity to have more extensive locks fitted, which provide more optimal security.
As well as your home, it can also be beneficial to change the locks on your car and garage. Cars are a valuable asset to families and are an appealing item for thieves to target. If they have taken your spare set of car or garage keys, your car can be easily taken. So if possible, find a locksmith that can help you secure your car and garage too. Keep your car stored in your garage when it’s not in use and don’t forget to lock the door behind you.
Assess the damage
If your home was damaged during the burglary, it could make it feel ineffective at protecting your family. It can also stop it from feeling comfortable to spend time in. The next thing you need to do is assess and repair the damage. Damage caused by a burglary can vary from broken windows to scratched floors. So clean up the mess first to give you a better idea of how much repair work is needed. Once you know what needs to be done, hire expert tradesmen to help you with the repairs. Your friends and family can also help you find replacements for lost items too. This can get your home in a more suitable condition for your family to enjoy.
Getting your home back to the way it looked before can make you and your family feel more confident and relaxed. But many homeowners use this as an opportunity to try something new. Redecorating your home can mask any reminders of the event and give your home a fresh look. It can also give you something positive for your family to focus on and help them recover more quickly. If this sounds appealing, consult with a decorating service to get your home looking fabulous in no time.
Install a security system
A security system can instantly make you feel safer by allowing you to monitor your home and deter thieves. The presence of an outdoor security camera or alarm is often enough to put off burglars from entering your home. Some security systems also provide a live feed which you can check throughout the day. This can give you peace of mind that your home and it’s contents are safe when you aren’t there. Browse for high def security cameras and security alarms online to compare prices and to read customer reviews. For additional safety, look for systems that can contact you and the police if an alarm or sensor is triggered. You should also get your new security system installed by an expert to ensure they are positioned and set up correctly.
But installing a security system is not enough. You need to make sure that your family gets into the habit of using it each day for maximum effect. Show your family how to use the alarms and cameras and set some guidelines for their use. For instance, you might want to get into the habit of setting the alarm before you go to bed. This will soon become second nature and give you more control over your home’s security.
After following these steps, your home should start to feel safer again. But remember it can take time to recover after such a traumatic event, especially for young children. It may take weeks or even months for your house to feel like a home again. But taking the right precautions and having a positive outlook can make it easier for your family to move on.