Immediate Steps to Restore Peace of Mind and Home Security
Experiencing a home break-in is deeply unsettling. Once the police have completed their report and gathered evidence, your immediate concern must be securing your compromised entryways.
1. Document the Damage
Take clear photos of the damaged lock cylinder, split door frames, and bent latches for your home insurance claim.
2. Reinforce the Door Frame
Intruders usually gain entry by kicking the door, causing the standard wooden frame to split around the strike plate.
- The Fix: A locksmith can install a heavy-duty strike plate secured by 3-inch screws that anchor deep into the wall framing studs.
3. Replace or Rekey the Cylinders
If keys were stolen during the break-in, rekey or replace all exterior lock cylinders immediately.
The first hour
Make sure everyone is safe and call the police if you have not already. Do not enter rooms that might not be clear, and do not touch anything that officers may want to examine. Photograph the entry point and any damage before it is cleaned up.
Securing the opening
Tell the dispatcher what was damaged: door, frame, glass, lock or garage. A technician can fit a temporary reinforcement or board-up so the door locks tonight. Ask what is temporary and what the permanent repair will be.
Follow-up steps
Rekey or replace locks if keys were taken, change alarm and garage codes, and check the strikes and hinges. Keep the police report number, photos and invoices for your insurer. Discuss how to reduce the chance of a repeat: better lighting, stronger frames and a look at other entry points. Related reading: strike plates and long screws and garage entry doors.
Questions about a lock or key problem? Apna Locksmith is a Brampton-based mobile locksmith serving Brampton, Vaughan, Caledon, Etobicoke and Halton Hills. Call (289) 406-1500 or see our service areas.