Make Safe After Burglary FAQ: Restoring Security and Peace of Mind

What to Do After a Burglary: Securing Your Property

1. Contact the Authorities 🚓

Report the Crime: The first and most crucial step after discovering a burglary is to call the police. Reporting the incident not only assists in investigating and recovering stolen property but is also essential for legal and insurance purposes. Avoid touching anything that may have been tampered with until the police arrive to preserve evidence.

Obtain a Police Report: After the police have assessed the scene, obtain a copy. This document is vital for filing insurance claims and serves as an official record of the burglary.

2. Assess the Damage 🕵️‍♂️🛠️

Check for Immediate Threats: Before fully re-entering your property, ensure there are no immediate dangers such as broken glass, exposed electrical wires, or gas leaks. Contact emergency services immediately to prevent further injury or damage if there are any hazards.

Document the Damage: Take photos and detailed notes of any damage, including broken windows, doors, or signs of forced entry. This documentation is critical for insurance claims and will provide a clear incident record for future reference.

3. Secure the Premises 🛡️🪟

Make Safe Services: Once the police have completed their investigation, securing your property is imperative to prevent further incidents. Make-safe services involve quickly restoring the security of your home or business. This may include boarding up broken windows, reinforcing entry points, and repairing or replacing damaged locks.

4. Notify Your Insurance Company 📞📑

File a Claim: Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to initiate the claims process. Provide them with the police report, evidence of the damage, and any other required documentation. Some insurers may recommend specific make-safe service providers to secure your property.

Understand Your Coverage: Review your insurance policy to understand what is covered in the event of a burglary. Coverage may include replacing stolen items, property repairs, and the costs associated with make-safe services.

5. Review and Upgrade Your Security 🏠🔐

Evaluate Your Security System: A burglary often exposes vulnerabilities in your security measures. This is an ideal time to assess your current security setup, including locks, alarms, and surveillance systems, and to consider enhancements that will better protect your property.

Install Enhanced Security Features: Upgrading to high-security locks, installing a monitored alarm system, and adding security cameras are effective ways to deter future break-ins and provide peace of mind.

Make Safe Services for North Shore & Ryde

What Are Make Safe Services?

Make-safe services focus on securing a property after incidents like burglaries, vandalism, or natural disasters. These services aim to restore safety by reinforcing entry points, repairing damage, and preventing unauthorised access. Following a burglary, make-safe services may include emergency lock replacements, window boarding, and door reinforcements.

Why Are Make Safe Services Important?

• Immediate Security: After a break-in, your property is at risk of further incidents. Make-safe services provide immediate solutions by securing vulnerable points and preventing additional break-ins or vandalism.
• Peace of Mind: Promptly securing your property can help reduce the stress and anxiety that follow a burglary. Knowing that your home or business is protected allows you to focus on recovery.
• Compliance with Insurance Requirements: Many insurance policies require policyholders to take immediate steps to secure their property after a burglary. Utilising make-safe services ensures compliance with these requirements, often necessary for processing claims.

Tailored Make Safe Solutions for Ryde, Pymble, and North Shore

Residential Make-Safe Services 🏡

For homeowners in Ryde, Pymble, and the North Shore, make-safe services include replacing locks, boarding up windows, and installing security doors. Additional measures, such as upgrading to high-security locks or installing an alarm system, can provide excellent protection and peace of mind.

Commercial Make-Safe Services 🏢

Businesses in these areas may require more comprehensive make-safe solutions, such as securing large commercial premises, repairing damaged security infrastructure, and coordinating with insurers. Enhancing security with high-grade locks, surveillance cameras, and access control systems can help prevent future break-ins.

Strata and Real Estate Properties 🏘️

Make-safe services for strata and real estate properties often involve working with property managers to secure common areas, entry points, and individual units. Tailored solutions ensure that all residents feel safe and that the property remains secure.

How to Protect Your Property After a Break-In

1. Strengthen Your Locks 🔒

• Upgrade to High-Security Locks: Basic locks may not provide sufficient protection against determined intruders. High-security locks are designed to resist various forced entry methods, making them a worthwhile investment for enhanced security.
• Rekey or Replace Locks: If there is any suspicion that keys have been stolen, rekeying or replacing locks is essential. Rekeying alters the lock’s internal mechanism, rendering old keys useless, while lock replacement provides an entirely new security setup.

2. Enhance Door and Window Security 🚪

• Install Security Doors: Security doors are robust and designed to withstand forced entry, providing additional protection for your property.
• Reinforce Windows: Installing security film, bars, or reinforced glass can help prevent unauthorised access through windows. Ensuring all windows have secure locks is also essential.

3. Upgrade Your Security System 📹

• Install a Monitored Alarm System: Monitored alarm systems offer round-the-clock protection and automatically alert authorities during a break-in.
• Add Surveillance Cameras: Security cameras deter potential intruders and provide valuable footage to aid investigations. Remote monitoring capabilities allow property owners to monitor their premises at all times.

4. Improve Exterior Lighting 💡

• Install Motion-Activated Lights: These lights deter intruders by illuminating areas when movement is detected, reducing the likelihood of break-ins.
• Ensure Proper Coverage: Make sure all entry points, including doors, windows, and driveways, are well-lit to eliminate dark areas that could provide cover for intruders.

5. Consider Community Security Measures 🏘️

• Join or Form a Neighborhood Watch: Neighbourhood watch programs can enhance security by encouraging residents to look out for each other and report suspicious activities.
• Collaborate with Local Authorities: Maintain communication with local police and community leaders to stay informed about local crime trends and to receive advice on improving security measures.