A break-in turns your home upside down in minutes. Once the initial shock sets in, it can be hard to know what to do first. The good news is that the steps you take in the first hour to secure your home after a break-in make a real difference in your safety and your ability to recover quickly. This checklist walks you through exactly what to do, in order, so you can protect your family, document the damage, and get your locks back in working condition without making costly mistakes.

Step 1: Get Everyone Safe and Call 911

Before you touch anything, make sure every person and pet in your household is out of the building or in a secure location. Do not go back inside until law enforcement has cleared the property. Burglars occasionally remain on the premises, and entering too soon puts you at risk.

Call 911 immediately and wait for officers to arrive. Do not move, clean, or rearrange anything inside the home before police complete their walkthrough. Every item out of place is potential evidence, and disturbing the scene can complicate your case or insurance claim. Once officers clear the scene and provide a police report number, you can begin the next steps.

Step 2: Document the Damage Before Touching Anything

After police clear the scene, take detailed photos and video of every point of entry, every damaged lock, every broken window, and any areas that were ransacked. Photograph door frames, strike plates, deadbolts, and any tool marks on surfaces. These images will support your insurance claim and help a locksmith understand exactly what needs to be repaired or replaced.

Write down a list of anything that appears to be missing, then contact your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider as soon as possible. Most policies require timely notification, so do not wait on this step.

Step 3: Call a Verified Locksmith to Secure Entry Points

This is one of the most important calls you will make after a break-in. Damaged locks, forced door frames, and compromised deadbolts leave your home open to a second intrusion. A residential locksmith can assess every entry point, repair or replace damaged hardware, and rekey your locks so that any keys the burglar may have found no longer work.

Do not rely on a temporary fix like a wedged chair or a zip tie. A professional can often respond the same day, and many locksmiths offer 24-hour emergency service for exactly this type of situation.

In the stress of an emergency, people sometimes call the first number they find online, which can lead to a scam locksmith. Watch for these red flags:

• An unusually low quote over the phone
• A technician who arrives in an unmarked vehicle with no ID
• Pressure to replace every lock immediately without attempting repair
• No clear written estimate before work begins

Use 1-800-Unlocks to connect with a verified local locksmith in your area rather than gambling on an unknown search result.

Step 4: Assess All Entry Points, Not Just the Obvious Ones

Burglars do not always come through the front door. After the primary entry point is secured, walk through your entire home with your locksmith and check every possible access point, including:

• Back doors and side doors
• Garage entry doors
• Sliding glass doors
• Ground-floor windows

Pay close attention to door frames and strike plates. Many break-ins succeed not because the lock was picked, but because the door frame splintered under force. A locksmith can install reinforced strike plates with longer screws that anchor into the wall studs, which dramatically improves resistance to kick-in attacks.

Step 5: Rekey or Replace Your Locks Right Away

Even if your locks appear undamaged, rekeying after a break-in is a critical step. If the burglar had any access to keys inside your home, those keys now need to be rendered useless. Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration of a lock so that old keys no longer operate it, without requiring a full lock replacement. It is typically faster and more affordable than replacing the entire hardware.

In some cases, replacement makes more sense. If your current locks are low-grade or were already showing wear before the break-in, this is a good time to upgrade. Ask your locksmith about high-security lock options that offer better resistance to picking, drilling, and forced entry. You can also review the 1-800-Unlocks locksmith pricing page so you know what a fair quote looks like before you call.

After the First Hour: Longer-Term Security Steps

Once your home is physically secured, think about longer-term improvements. Motion-activated lighting, upgraded deadbolts on all exterior doors, window locks, and a monitored alarm system all reduce the likelihood of a repeat incident. Talk to your locksmith about a full home security assessment to identify weak points you may not have considered.

You should also notify your neighbors and, if applicable, your local neighborhood watch group. Burglars often return to the same area within days of a successful break-in, so a heads-up to those around you can make a difference for the whole block.

Find a Verified Locksmith to Help You Recover Fast

The hours after a break-in are stressful, but you do not have to navigate them alone. We connect homeowners across the country with verified local locksmiths who can respond quickly, assess the full scope of the damage, and get your home secured the right way. Do not settle for a rushed fix or a technician with no credentials. Search by ZIP or call 1-800-UNLOCKS to be connected with a legitimate, local professional who will help you take back your sense of security today.