If Your Home Were Burglarized-How Preparing Ahead Can Protect Your Personal Possessions Against Burglary | By Jordan Frankel

Like most people who have never experienced a burglary, you’ve probably not given it much thought. But what if your home were burglarized? How would you feel to know that a complete stranger—and a criminal—came into your home and stole your most personal possessions?

Think about it for a moment. Envision your computer with all your personal emails, online accounts, photos, and other intimate data being stolen by such a thug. If you’re like most people, it’s more than an unpleasant thought—it’s scary! 

An important step in home security is planning head. This requires thinking about the possible crimes that can happen to you and your family and how to protect against them. When it comes to burglary, protecting your personal possessions means looking at things from various perspectives, including if your home were burglarized.

Common Personal Possessions that Get Stolen During a Home Burglary

According to Jordan Frankel, home security expert and Vice President of Global Security Experts, it’s not the loss of the flat screen TVs, jewelry, or money that residents find disturbing after a burglary. It is the loss of the more personal items that leave them feeling troubled for weeks and even months later. 

The following is a list of some of the most common items stolen during a burglary that leave residents feeling violated.

• Computers, tablets and cell phones. Most everyone has a great deal of personal information stored on their computers, cell phones, and similar electronic devices. From your banking information to your family photos, having this personal data stolen and accessed by a criminal is the last thing you want to experience. 

• Purses and wallets. Though most people carry their wallets and purses with them when they are away from home, some burglaries occur at night while the residents are asleep. Purses and wallets offer burglars quick access to cash, credit cards, and your identity.

• Personal documents. It’s often the last thing residents think about being stolen, but personal documents such as birth certificates, bank statements, and taxes can be of great value to criminals. Such data can be used and even sold to steal your identity. 

It usually isn’t until after a burglary occurs that residents take the necessary steps to secure their computers, wallets, important documents, and other personal possessions. This is not something you want to wait to experience for yourself, as there aren’t many things that leave a person feeling more violated or vulnerable than having their most personal items stolen by a stranger.

Home Security Tips for Securing Your Personal Possessions Against Burglary

Protecting your personal possessions against burglary requires some thought and planning ahead, not only in terms of how to prevent a burglary, but also how to protect yourself should your personal items ever get stolen. The following are some valuable home security tips that can help you stay better protected:

• Though it is important to keep your doors and windows locked at all times, you MUST implement additional home security measures to prevent a break-in. Most burglaries occur through locked doors and windows. Devices such as a security door brace and glass protection film are worth the investment, as they are designed to prevent forcible entries.

• If your home is equipped with a security alarm, keep it on at all times—even when you’re home at night. 

• Store your personal documents with identifying information in a heavy duty safe that is securely mounted to the wall or floor. This is also an excellent place to store your cell phone and wallet/purse at night while you sleep. 

• Make a detailed list of all of your valuables and take photos of them. Keeping receipts of expensive items is also a good idea. If your valuables are ever stolen during a burglary, this information will be helpful to both your insurance company and the police.

• Engrave your initials or another mark somewhere inconspicuous onto items such as TVs, computers, and other valuables that you think would get stolen if your home were burglarized. This can help police identify your personal property should it ever be recovered.

• Ensure all computers, tablets, and cell phones are password protected. Make sure your passwords are strong. A strong password is one that contains special characters, numbers, and uppercase and lowercase letters. Never use personal information such as birth dates or names of family members or pets in your passwords. For computers, invest in a software program that allows personal files and other data to be hidden in encrypted files. 

Protect Your Possessions by Preparing Ahead

The thought of having your home burglarized is nowhere near as unpleasant as experiencing the crime itself. By taking the time to plan head today, you can help protect your possessions and your peace of mind in the future.