You read about it all the time. You know it can happen, but when it actually happens to you, you can't help feeling shocked and cheated. So one fine afternoon, when we discovered that our house was broken in and all our electronics were gone, we were overwhelmed. Right from dialing 911, to finding out what to do after a burglary, it was a learning experience. So I did what I do best (or so I think); compile a list of dos and dont's:
Things to do before a burglary.......that means right now!
1. If you've got gold or silver, get a locker.
2. Have a home owners or renters insurance. Choose a plan that is suitable for your valuables. Look at the premium and deductibles. A combined plan for your home and car is better than separate insurances.
3. Note the serial number of all your devices. Enable the location finder in your devices.
4. Take pictures of all your valuables (including jewelry, expensive watches, sunglasses, handbags, shoes etc.) and store on cloud and mail a copy to your mail accounts and also to a trusted source. Same goes for receipts. This will help in insurance claims.
5. Consider putting up an alarm or buying a safe.
6. Do not decorate your house from outside in a way that makes you stand out. For e.g. No bandanwaars or rangolis outside the front yard.
7. Be extra careful during vacation and Diwali time. Definitely put your stuff in locker soon after use.
8. If you want to deck up in gold jewelry for a party, consider carrying it in a purse and wearing once near the venue. Walking out of the house all decked up might make you stand out.
9. Post a 'beware of dog' or a security agency sticker on your front door to deter potential burglars.
10. Don't leave your valuables visible from windows.
11. Don't keep all documentation at one place. For E.g. keep your ssn at a different place than the passport.
12. Set up a verbal password for your id. At DMV, you can set up a question which pops up every time you are asked to show your id. It has to be answered verbally.
13. Set up passwords for all your devices.
14. If you go on a vacation, ask your friends to check on your house frequently.
After the burglary...hope you don't have to...:
1.If in trouble, call 911 immediately. Accept help from friends and be grateful for their presence and concern.
2. In case your credit cards are missing, cancel them. Get in touch with your bank and let them know of the loss.
3. If your devices are stolen, change passwords for all possible sites. Also, track your devices for any clues. Report them to the police.
4. Make a list of all valuable things that are missing. Get it into the police report.
5. Check your locks and keys including car keys. If any are missing, get the locks changed.
6. Get in touch with insurance, armed with your police report and list of missing things.
7. If it can happen to someone else, it can happen to you.Everything in the world is transient. Remember? "Jo aaj tumhara hai, kal kisi aur ka hoga.... " Be happy for the good times that you had together with your stuff.
8. Don't buy more than you need. Enjoy the stuff that you have.
9. Move on. Life is made of experiences, both good and bad. Take it in your stride. One day, you'll be telling tales about it!
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