Looking after your home can sometimes feel like a full-time job. On top of all the improvements you are trying to make, there is the day to day maintenance tasks to keep on top of. Keeping the guttering clear, sweeping the yard, and cleaning the windows are just a few of them. There is always plenty to do, but you know it will be worth it because one day the house will be exactly the way you hoped it would be. But then disaster strikes. You’ve come home to find your door has been bust open, and you have been burgled.
Home security is high on any home owner’s list of priorities, but sometimes a burglary will happen anyway. To protect your contents, put all the most treasured items away in a wall safe. These are usually impenetrable by your local opportunist burglar so these items should be safe. Car keys and personal documents should all be kept in a locked box out of site too. Make sure you have full contents insurance to cover the cost of replacing essentials like TVs and laptops. When it comes to securing your property for the night, there are a number of things you need to do.
If the door is not too damaged, you could call a locksmith to change the lock and ensure the door fits securely in the frame. You may want to consider changing the locking mechanism for something more secure too. Locksmiths can advise you on your situation while they are securing your home for you. If the damage is beyond saving, you should be able to find a temporary secure fitting to keep your house weatherproof and secure. Speak to your locksmith for ideas.
If a window has been smashed, simple wood boarding nailed into place will provide you with some privacy and security. Add some plastic sheeting to keep the water out. This should be replaced with a proper glass pane as soon as possible, but is a quick and easy DIY fix until the window company can reach you. You can also hire a security guard to monitor your property until it is fully secure. This will help give you peace of mind that you are safe too.
Always photograph everything and contact your insurance company immediately. Some policies provide all the emergency assistance you may need. This will save you phoning around various companies out of hours trying to get some help. They may be able to cover your hotel bill if you are not ready to return home yet. When you next renew your policy check what is covered so you have peace of mind if something like this should happen.
Burglaries or severe storm damage that knocks down your home’s defences can be devastating. You can suddenly feel very vulnerable, and you may have lost some dear items. Keep a list of companies you can call on in an emergency in your mobile phone address book, so they are always close to hand or in the cloud for quick retrieval. Most importantly, don’t panic. You will get through this, and you and your home defences will be stronger for it.