Got an Amazon Echo, Apple Watch, or smart locks? Here’s how they can come in handy when your loved ones need it the most.
My home was broken into. What am I supposed to do now?'
Each year in the U.S., there are an estimated 2.5 million burglaries. If this has happened to you, you know the fear and anxiety you feel after a break-in.
What should you do in the moments after discovering your home has been broken into or hearing someone come in? Knowing the steps to take in a moment of fear is hard, so it’s important to have a solid plan. If it never does, great news. If it does, you’re a little more prepared.
Let’s dive into what you can do with the help of our sponsor, SimpliSafe.
Here are the steps to take
Leave immediately if you get home and believe someone has burglarized your property. You can’t be sure the home is empty and shouldn’t take chances.
Be sure not to touch anything, and call 911 right away. Go somewhere safe, like a neighbor’s house or lock yourself in your car. Look around for anything suspicious, like a car you don’t recognize or anyone on foot. Take note so you can give this information to the police.
Once the police arrive, it’s time to assess what was taken and any damage. Check for missing electronics, jewelry, medications, collectibles and other valuables. If you have footage of the break-in from home security cameras, great. The police may use this to find the suspects, and you can use it to see what was taken.
After that, it’s time to contact your insurance company and bank. You need to start the process of reporting what was stolen. Your bank can help lock down your accounts in case cards, checks or bills with your account information were taken. You can also freeze your credit.
What if you are home during the break-in? SimpliSafe says the first 30 seconds are crucial. Don’t make any sound; get up and lock the door of the room you’re in. Listen closely, and call 911 immediately. From there, you can try to leave out a window or down a fire escape or stay put. If you leave the room, find your car keys and press the panic button. This could scare the intruder(s) into leaving.
For more steps to take, head to SimpliSafe’s blog.
Protect yourself from future break-ins
When you sign up for SimpliSafe, you’re getting defense against all the curveballs life throws at you. You’ll get protection from any threat, from natural disasters to burglars or violent criminals. SimpliSafe even has a panic button to trigger medical alerts.
5 clever ways to use your Echo and Alexa that you’ll wish you knew sooner
When cooking, it’s easy to say, “Alexa, remind me the cauliflower pizza is done in 15 minutes.” That’s one of the most useful and basic ways to use the Amazon-owned smart assistant.
The downside is that it can pick up conversations we’d rather it didn’t. Tap or click for steps to listen to and erase any errant recordings. I do this regularly. That’s not the only vital privacy step if you have an Echo or more at home. Tap or click here to ensure your smart speakers are locked down correctly.
Chirp off the old block: Chirp Systems’ app controls smart locks in tons of rental homes. The app’s “hardcoded credentials” could let anyone remotely lock or unlock your door. Chirp says a fix is on the way. Swap out Chirp smart locks with this one from Amazon.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
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