My Car Was Broken Into. What Do I Do?

Each day, approximately 2,500 cars are stolen, which is about two cars every minute. Thousands of people deal with car breaks-in on a daily basis as well. With the frequency of auto theft and break-ins, it’s important to be proactive about protecting your vehicle, such as by installing a security system  to monitor your driveway.

But what if your car has already been broken into? It’s natural to feel vulnerable, but it’s important to stay calm. Below are tips to follow when your car has been a target of theft.

Record the Damage

First, do not enter or move the car. Start documenting what you see and take pictures of visible damage or other evidence. Also write everything down so that you have documentation that can be given to your insurance company if need be.

File a Police Report

After you’ve collected the evidence, call the police and file a report. While there may not be much they can do at the moment, it’s important for the police to have these reports on file. This way, they can identify trends in car break-ins and theft and patrol those areas more closely.

Place a Fraud Alert

Even if the car thief did not steal your wallet, it’s best to be on the safe side and curb identity theft. You never know just what the person was able to get a hold of, such as a name, birthday or Social Security number. Place a fraud alert on your account and cancel credit or debit cards that might have been stolen.

File a Claim with Your Insurance

Finally, file a claim with your insurance company if there was damage to your car or a lot was stolen. You don’t always need to file a claim - only if the dollar amount of the damages exceeds your deductible by a large amount. If your car wasn’t damaged, and only a few things were stolen, you’re probably better off not filing a claim, but speak with your insurance agent to get guidance.

Protecting Your Car from Future Break-Ins

Now that you’ve been affected by car theft, it’s important to protect yourself from future break-ins. Here are a few tips for doing so.

• Avoid parking your car in poorly lit or remote areas
• Don’t leave your car unattended for several days at a time
• Always lock your car doors and keep your windows closed
• Remove valuables from your car or keep them hidden
• Install camera surveillance outside your home to watch for intruders

Cars can easily cost half the price of a home, so they are an investment that you want to protect. Installing a security system with camera surveillance keeps careful watch over your driveway and everything on it! Call Texas Security & Surveillance to learn more about protecting both the inside and outside of your Austin TX property.

5 Ways to Ensure Your Childs Safety To and From School

The end of summer signals a new school year and a new year of growth. Your child may be asking to walk home from school on their own, or they may be responsible for getting themselves on and off the bus. Fortunately, you can help ensure that your child gets to and from school safely with security cameras Austin TX.

Below are five tips to help the transition to a new school year run smoothly!

1. Talk to Other Parents in the Neighborhood

Once you have kids, your neighbors become more important. Now is the time to speak with other parents in the neighborhood and get an idea of how their children are getting to and from school. Buddy systems can be very helpful in these instances.

2. Practice Your Child’s Route

Do a few trial runs of your child’s route to and from school. They should be taking the most visible path (no shortcuts), and ideally the route will have other children and crossguards along the way.

3. Install a Home Security System

If you haven’t already, install a home security system with camera surveillance, particularly if your child will be home alone for a while. Teach your child how to arm and disarm the system, and program it so that you know when your child is home safely.

4. Keep Your Child Informed

Tell your child that you will always notify them of any changes with their pickups. They should never go home with someone they don’t know, and they should always get an adult’s approval before going home with someone else. Though it’s not always easy, try to keep things as consistent as possible.

5. Talk About Safety Inside the Home

Home security systems keep the bad guys out, but they also keep kids inside and safe. Your home should have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Teach your child about which appliances they can and cannot use, and encourage them to keep doors and windows shut and locked when you’re not there.

Also teach your child to look for signs that something isn’t right. If they’re just getting home from school and they notice that a door or window is ajar, they should go to a trusted neighbor’s home.

Millions of American kids come home to empty houses after school and don’t fit the traditional “latchkey” stereotype. Reviewing safety rules, talking with neighborhood parents and installing security cameras Austin TX are the best ways to keep your child safe. Call Texas Security and Surveillance to learn more about our home security options for families.