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Homeowners looking over damage after a burglary
April 06, 2026

What To Do After A Break-in At Your Raleigh Home?

It’s every resident’s nightmare. You arrive home to see your door is wide open or a window smashed. You can barely process what’s happened, fretting about what’s been taken and the harm done to your home. What should you do? Stay calm, take a breath, and follow these steps after a break-in at your Raleigh home.  

When things calm down, learn how to better prevent break-ins with the latest home security system.

First Steps After A Burglary

Seeing your house broken into is unsettling. You may be upset, shaken, or just in shock. Whatever the case, it’s important to stay level-headed by doing the following: 

  • Stay outside. It’s not surprising that you want to run inside to look around. Don’t. There’s a risk a burglar is still there.
  • Call law enforcement immediately.  Keep yourself and others safely away and hold tight until help get there. Work with the authorities to make an official report. 
  • Don’t touch a thing. Let the police secure the area and do their job.  

What Should You Do Next?

You’ve conversed with law enforcement, and your home is safe to re-enter. What should happen next? 

  • Cancel credit cards and notify your bank . If a burglar snagged wallets, purses, or personal records, you’ll wish to alert your credit card issuers and banks immediately. It’s wise to lock accounts and your credit. You might also request a fraud alert with the major credit bureaus.
  • Reach out to your insurer. Start the claims process with your insurance provider. This needs to be done within one day of the break-in. 
  • Record damage on camera. Document smashed windows, forced doors, and all other visible damage.
  • Document what is missing. Create a record of what’s gone and provide it to law enforcement and your Insurer.
  • Secure your home. Make your home safe again by replacing locks, fixing windows and doors, and taking care of other damage. If you use a keypad lock, now is the time to reset your access codes.

Getting your home back in order will do wonders for your stress and make things feel normal. Once you do, it’s time to consider improving your home security.

Evaluate And Upgrade The Security At Your Raleigh Home

How can you keep this from happening again? Your first step should be to evaluate your home’s security. A new system with the following equipment will work wonders in strengthening your home’s protection: 

  • Video cameras: Just about all trespassers will hesitate when they observe security cameras. Modern outdoor and doorbell cameras offer advanced features like AI-powered smart detection. Any time there’s unusual activity, you’ll be sent an alert. 
  • Entry-point sensors: All doors and windows (specifically those on the lower level) should be protected by contact or glass-break sensors.
  • Smart locks and lighting: These automated devices can be controlled from anywhere. Concerned you forgot to lock your door? You can confirm and operate the lock from your mobile device. You can even have inside lights turn on if a camera discovers suspicious activity.

If you want an integrated system that notifies you and monitoring agents whenever a device is tripped, look into a package from the home security leaders at ADT. You’ll benefit from smartphone access, 24/7 monitoring, and advanced automation.

Avoid Break-Ins With The Top Home Security Systems In Raleigh

Stop intrusions before they happen with an ADT home security package in Raleigh from Secure24 Alarm Systems. As your authorized ADT dealer, we install modern equipment from the industry leader. Explore your options by dialing (919) 756-7929 or filling out our form today.

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