What to Do After a Break-In: Securing Your Property and Feeling Safe Again
A break-in can be a confronting experience. Whether someone has forced their way through a front door, entered through a window, broken into a garage or gained access using stolen keys, the immediate aftermath can leave you wondering what you should do first.
There are the obvious practical problems to deal with: damaged locks, broken doors, missing keys and a property that may no longer be secure. But there is another side to a break-in that can sometimes be overlooked.
Someone has entered a place where you are supposed to feel safe.
Even once the police have left, the insurance claim has been lodged and the locks have been repaired, that feeling can linger. Some people become more conscious of noises outside, repeatedly check their doors at night or simply don't feel as comfortable being home alone as they did before.
Recovering from a break-in therefore involves two things: restoring the physical security of the property and restoring your own sense of security.
Here are some of the practical steps worth considering after a break-in.
First: Make Sure the Property Is Safe to Enter
If you arrive home and find a door open, a window broken or obvious signs that somebody has forced their way inside, don't immediately enter the property.
If there is any possibility that the intruder could still be inside, move somewhere safe and contact the police.
Even if it appears that the person has already left, it's generally best to wait for police before walking through the property. Apart from the potential safety risk, unnecessarily touching doors, windows or other objects may disturb evidence.
Once police have attended and confirmed that it is safe to enter, you can begin assessing what has happened.
Take photographs of damaged doors, windows, locks and other affected areas before repairs begin. Photograph rooms that have been disturbed and make a list of anything that appears to be missing.
These records may be useful for both the police report and any subsequent insurance claim.
Secure the Property as Soon as Possible
Once the police have finished with the property, the next priority is making sure it can be locked securely again.
The amount of work required will depend heavily on how entry was gained.
A lock may simply have been damaged and need replacing. In other situations, the lock itself may have survived but the surrounding door or frame has been split or broken.
Common damage following a break-in can include:
Broken or damaged lock cylinders
Forced deadlocks and deadbolts
Bent or damaged security doors
Split timber around locks and strike plates
Damaged door jambs
Broken sliding door locks
Damaged window locks
Forced garage doors
Broken glass
Damaged gates or external access points
A locksmith can assess the locking hardware and determine what can be repaired and what needs replacing.
Sometimes a temporary repair may be required to secure the property immediately, followed by more permanent repairs once replacement doors, glass or other components become available.
The priority immediately after a burglary isn't necessarily making everything look perfect. It's making sure that when you close and lock the door that night, the property is actually secure.
Should You Replace All the Locks After a Break-In?
Not necessarily.
One of the first questions we are often asked after keys have been lost or compromised is whether every lock needs to be completely replaced.
In many cases, the answer is no.
If the existing locks are in good condition, they can often be rekeyed instead.
Rekeying involves changing the internal combination of a lock so that the existing keys no longer operate it. New keys are then cut to suit the new combination.
From a security perspective, this means that if an intruder has taken a house key, any copies of that old key will no longer provide access.
Rekeying can also be considerably more economical than replacing otherwise perfectly good locks.
There are situations where replacement makes more sense. If a lock has been physically damaged, is badly worn, is an unsuitable design for the door or doesn't provide an appropriate level of security, replacing it may be the better option.
A good approach is to assess each lock individually rather than automatically replacing everything.
If Keys Were Stolen, Work Out Exactly What They Open
This is particularly important.
If keys were taken during the burglary, don't only think about the front door.
Consider exactly what was attached to the keyring and what somebody could potentially
identify from it.
The stolen keys might include access to:
The front or back door
A garage
A side gate
A shed
A letterbox
A business premises
Another family member's property
A vehicle
A padlock or storage area
If a garage remote was attached to the keys, that should also be dealt with.
The same applies to electronic access credentials, swipe cards and smart-lock information.
Where possible, stolen electronic credentials should be removed from the relevant system rather than simply replacing the physical remote or card.
Consider Keying Compatible Locks Alike
A break-in may also be an opportunity to simplify the locking system around the home.
Properties often accumulate different locks and keys over many years. A front door might have one key, the screen door another, the garage another and the back door something completely different.
When locks are being rekeyed after a burglary, compatible locks can often be keyed alike, allowing the same key to operate several doors.
This isn't possible with every combination of lock brands and key profiles, but where the hardware is compatible it can considerably reduce the number of keys you need to carry.
Instead of simply restoring the property exactly as it was, it can be worthwhile asking whether the locking system can be made more convenient at the same time.
Look at How the Intruder Actually Got In
After the immediate repairs are completed, take some time to look at the point of entry.
A burglary can expose a weakness that wasn't previously obvious.
For example, a door may have had a reasonable lock fitted but the strike plate was poorly secured. A sliding door may have been relying on an old or worn latch. A side entrance may have been hidden from the street and provided an intruder with plenty of time to work on the lock unnoticed.
Understanding how entry was gained can help determine which security improvements will actually make a difference.
There isn't much benefit in installing expensive security hardware in one area while leaving an obvious weakness somewhere else.
Review the Rest of the Property
It's also worth looking beyond the particular door or window that was attacked.
Walk around the outside of the property and look at it from the perspective of somebody trying to gain access.
Check:
Front and rear entrance doors
Security and screen doors
Sliding glass doors
Accessible windows
Garage doors
Internal doors between the garage and house
Side gates
Sheds and external storage
Balcony or patio doors
Try each lock rather than simply looking at it.
Does the door actually latch correctly?
Does the deadbolt fully extend?
Can the sliding door be lifted excessively in its track?
Is the lock loose?
Does the door frame move when pressure is applied?
Has the lock become so worn that you need to jiggle the key to make it operate?
Small problems are often tolerated for years because people become accustomed to them. After a burglary, it's worth identifying those problems and deciding which ones should finally be addressed.
Security Is More Than Installing Bigger Locks
It's easy to assume that improving home security simply means installing the biggest or most expensive lock available.
In reality, security works best as a combination of measures.
A quality lock fitted to a weak or badly damaged door frame may not achieve much. Likewise, an excellent front door lock doesn't solve the problem if an easily accessible side door has poor hardware.
Depending on the property, useful improvements might include better deadlocks or deadbolts, stronger strike plates, repairing door frames, upgrading screen-door cylinders, improving sliding-door security or replacing worn hardware.
Other measures such as exterior lighting, cameras, alarms and keeping vegetation trimmed around entrances can also contribute to making a property less attractive to an intruder.
The objective isn't necessarily to make your home look like a fortress.
It's about removing obvious weaknesses and creating several layers of security rather than relying on a single lock.
Don't Overlook Garage Security
Garages deserve particular attention because they often provide access to both valuable property and the house itself.
Tools, bicycles and vehicles are obvious targets, but a garage can also provide an intruder with a concealed place to work on the internal door leading into the home.
If a garage remote has been stolen, check whether the missing remote can be deleted from the garage-door opener's memory.
If you're unsure, contact the manufacturer, garage-door company or appropriate technician for advice on the particular system.
Also check the lock on the internal garage access door. Ideally, this door should be treated as an external entrance rather than relying solely on the security of the garage door itself.
The Emotional Side of a Break-In
Once the locks have been repaired, there is another issue that can take considerably longer to resolve.
A burglary is a violation of personal space.
For many people, their home represents the place where they feel most comfortable and secure. Discovering that somebody has entered it without permission can change that perception almost instantly.
The reaction can vary considerably from person to person.
Some people are understandably angry. Others become anxious or find themselves thinking repeatedly about what happened.
You might start checking the locks several times before bed.
A noise outside that you previously wouldn't have noticed suddenly wakes you up.
You might feel uncomfortable leaving the house unattended, or uneasy when you're home alone.
You may find yourself wondering whether the person will come back.
These reactions don't necessarily disappear the moment the new locks are installed.
Why Improving Security Can Help
There is a practical and psychological benefit to taking sensible security measures after a burglary.
Part of the anxiety following a break-in can come from feeling that your environment is no longer within your control.
Going through the property, identifying weaknesses and fixing them can help restore some of that control.
You know the stolen key no longer works.
You know the damaged door has been repaired.
You know the lock that was previously inadequate has been upgraded.
You know the garage remote that disappeared has been removed from the system.
That doesn't guarantee that another attempted break-in could never happen, but it does mean you've taken reasonable steps to address what happened and reduce the risks you can control.
Give the Emotional Recovery Attention as Well
While improving physical security can help restore confidence, it's also important to recognise that persistent anxiety isn't necessarily a security problem.
Installing another lock may not resolve the feeling that somebody is outside whenever you hear a noise at night.
If anxiety, disrupted sleep or persistent worry continues after the immediate situation has been resolved, it may be worth actively addressing that side of the experience as well.
Talking to family or friends about what happened can help. Returning to normal routines can also be important rather than allowing the burglary to progressively change how you live.
There are also resources available for people looking for practical strategies for managing anxious feelings. Eternal Balance has put together information about how to get rid of anxiety and manage anxious feelings which discusses approaches people can consider when anxiety becomes difficult to shake.
If anxiety continues to interfere with everyday life, sleep or your ability to feel comfortable at home, speaking with an appropriately qualified health professional is also worth considering.
Looking after your home and looking after yourself aren't competing priorities. They're two parts of recovering from the same experience.
Avoid Letting Security Become a Source of More Anxiety
There is also a balance to be found after a break-in.
Taking reasonable precautions is sensible. Constantly checking and rechecking every possible entry point can eventually become another source of stress.
Once the locks have been assessed and the necessary work completed, it can help to establish a straightforward security routine.
Before going to bed, for example, check the main doors and windows once. Make sure the garage is closed. If you have an alarm, arm it.
Then trust the security measures you've put in place.
The aim of improving your security is ultimately to allow you to feel comfortable in your home again, not to make security something you have to think about constantly.
Keep an Updated Record of Your Property
Once things have settled down, consider creating a basic record of valuable belongings.
Photographs, serial numbers, receipts and identifying information can make dealing with police and insurance considerably easier if property is ever stolen.
You don't need a complicated system. A folder containing photographs and receipts for major items can be enough.
It's also worth keeping this information somewhere that isn't solely accessible from a computer or device inside the house.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Break-In?
The first few hours after discovering a burglary can be overwhelming, so it can help to keep the priorities simple.
First, make sure everyone is safe.
Don't enter the property if you believe an intruder could still be inside.
Second, contact the police.
Allow them to attend and investigate before unnecessarily disturbing the property.
Third, document the damage.
Take photographs and make notes about missing or damaged property.
Fourth, make the property secure.
Arrange repairs to damaged doors, windows and locks.
Fifth, deal with compromised access.
Rekey locks where keys may have been stolen and remove missing garage remotes or electronic credentials from their systems where possible.
Sixth, review the rest of the property.
Look for other weaknesses that may be worth addressing.
And finally, give yourself some time.
The physical damage from a burglary may be repaired quickly. Feeling completely comfortable at home again can take longer.
A Sensible Approach to Home Security
No locksmith can realistically promise that a property is completely impossible to break into.
The purpose of good security is to make unauthorised entry considerably more difficult, time-consuming and conspicuous.
For most homes, the best approach isn't necessarily installing the most expensive lock available. It's making sure the locks are appropriate, correctly installed and supported by doors and frames that are in good condition.
A locksmith should be able to explain where money is worth spending and, just as importantly, where an expensive upgrade is unlikely to provide much additional benefit.
Sometimes replacing a damaged lock is necessary.
Sometimes rekeying the existing lock is all that's required.
And sometimes the lock isn't actually the problem — the door, frame or strike may be the weak point.
The right solution depends on the property and what actually occurred during the break-in.
Need to Secure a Property After a Break-In in the Blue Mountains?
If you've experienced a break-in or attempted break-in in the Blue Mountains, Keys O'Callaghan Locksmiths can help assess and secure the property.
We can assist with damaged and compromised locks, rekeying, replacement locks, keying compatible locks alike and practical security upgrades where existing hardware is no longer suitable.
Rather than automatically replacing every lock, we'll assess what's already installed, what has been compromised and where improvements are actually worthwhile.
If keys have been stolen, we can also identify which locks can be rekeyed so the missing keys no longer operate them.
The immediate goal after a break-in is simple: make the property secure again.
After that, you can take the time to address the rest — improving any weaknesses that contributed to the break-in and, equally importantly, getting back to feeling comfortable in your own home.
