A residential break-in leaves two immediate problems: a compromised physical entry point that may not be secure, and a security assessment that needs to happen before you feel safe again. Here’s what to do, in the right order.
“After a break-in, the first priority is securing the property and identifying how access was gained. A proper security assessment should address vulnerable entry points, improve visibility around the home, and ensure the system is reliable enough to help prevent future incidents — not just record them.”
— Alexander from ASP Security Systems Inc., security system specialist with over 15 years of experience providing residential and commercial security solutions across Ajax and the GTA
Table of Contents
Immediate Steps (Same Day)
1. Call the police before touching anything.
Even if the intruder is gone, call police and wait. The scene is evidence. Document that a report was filed — your insurance claim will require a police report number.
2. Do not enter if you’re unsure the property is clear.
If you arrive home to evidence of a break-in and aren’t certain the intruder has left, do not enter. Wait for police.
3. Document the damage and any missing items.
Once police have cleared the scene, photograph all damage — broken windows, forced door frames, damaged locks, any other damage to the property. Make a list of missing items for the insurance claim.
Securing the Entry Point
If the door was forced:
A forced entry almost always damages the door frame and strike plate, not the lock itself — the frame splits when the strike plate screws are torn through. The door may appear closed but the frame is no longer sound.
Immediate temporary security: A locksmith or carpenter can install a temporary security measure if the frame is damaged. A door barricade bar (which braces against the floor) provides security while a permanent frame repair is arranged.
Permanent repair: The frame must be rebuilt or reinforced before the door is truly secure again. A carpenter repairs or replaces the split frame. A locksmith installs or upgrades the strike plate — a heavy-gauge strike plate with 3-inch screws reaching the structural framing is the standard post-break-in upgrade.
If a window was broken:
A glazier or window company can board up and temporarily secure the opening same-day in most cases, and replace the glass within a day or two. Your homeowner’s insurance typically covers this.
If a lock was compromised or a key was taken:
Rekey all exterior locks immediately. If you don’t know how the intruder entered, rekey every exterior lock — you don’t know whether a key was taken or copied.
The Security Assessment
After the immediate entry point is secured, ask a locksmith to assess the rest of your home’s entry points:
All exterior doors: Are all deadbolts Grade 1? Are all strike plates heavy-gauge with long screws? Are any doors hollow-core (which can be breached regardless of lock quality)?
Sliding doors: Do sliding doors have secondary security — a bar in the track or a pin lock preventing the door from being lifted out of the track?
Windows: Are accessible windows (ground floor, garage) secured with window locks or secondary security?
Garage: Is the garage-to-house door solid core and lockable? If there’s an attached garage, this door is a primary security concern.
After the Immediate Response
File an insurance claim. Homeowner’s insurance covers break-in damage and theft. Document everything before any repairs are made.
Consider a monitored alarm system. A professionally monitored alarm system deters future break-ins and provides a response pathway if one occurs. Ask a security company about options after the locksmith assessment is complete.
Talk to your neighbors. They may have seen something, and alerting them means more eyes on the property.
Related Questions
- Questions to Ask a Locksmith Before You Hire One
- Questions to Ask a Locksmith About Rekeying and Lock Upgrades
- Red Flags When Hiring a Locksmith
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