What the Emotional Aftermath of a Burglary Can Cost You

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that a burglary can cost homeowners over $2,000 in losses. Most people think about monetary losses when they think of burglaries, but a break-in can also take away your sense of safety and be emotionally taxing.

Emotional and Physical Damages

The Bureau of Justice Statistics conducted a report that found 28 percent of burglaries occur while a family member is in the home. The damage committed by burglars was not only emotional, but also physical injuries resulting from violence. The report states seven percent of household burglaries resulted in a violent encounter.That means one-third of burglaries occurring while a person is in the home result in violence.

Many people who go through the ordeal of a home invasion often suffer from the fear of re-victimization. They continue to fear another invasion could happen at any time. Robberies can also lead to significant emotional trauma like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Disorders and trauma resulting from a break-in can take years of therapy to recover from.

What to Do if Your Home is Broken Into

There is a lot to do if you discover your home was broken into. First off, don’t go inside. Head to a neighbor’s house and call the police and file a report. They can assess the area to make sure it’s safe for you to enter your home. You’ll also want to file a report with your homeowners insurance company so you can get reimbursed for any of the stolen items. It can be emotionally daunting to clean up the mess after a burglary, so make sure you and your family talk about the break-in. If you or any other members of your family need counseling, seek it out, and then work together to help secure your home so you hopefully don’t have to deal with this again.

How to Help Prevent a Burglary From Happening

When it comes to home security, cutting corners is never a good idea. Be sure to conduct thorough research to ensure you’re being as safe as possible at home.

Homes with monitored security systems help make your home three times less likely to be burglarized over homes without a monitored security system. There are steps you can take beyond having a security system, most of which are quite simple and not very time consuming. Check out this home security checklist to find out how safe your home is and what you can do to improve your home security.

Smart technology allows for enhanced features on many security systems available today. Perform thorough research to find the system that works best for your home and family. Also, be sure to perform proper maintenance on your security system on a regular basis.

The cost of investing in a home security system far outweighs the risk of being victimized by a burglary. Make sure you help secure your home with a monitored security system to help you avoid the financial and emotional burden of a robbery.