"How safe is your home?"

Getting back to life

Immediately after a burglary, a phase of intense activity follows: damage assessment, police reports, insurance formalities and organizing repair work fill everyday life. It is often weeks later that the victim begins to come to terms with the experience. Psychologist Rahel Bachem knows what to do to help those affected return to their normal lives:

• Allow yourself time and peace to process what has happened.
• Try to talk to people you trust. Talk about your feelings, tell them what the experience is doing to you.
• Resume your original rhythm of life. Habits create orientation and security.
• Repaint a wall, rearrange the furniture, buy a new sofa or rehang a picture. Take control and reclaim your home.

Prevention: Which security strategy is right for you?

What assets do you own that are worth protecting and how intensive should the protection be? A first step in answering this question can be to list your possessions, advises security expert Philipp Schärer. Valuable possessions are not limited to jewelry, paintings or collections. It can be tools, cameras, consumer electronics, musical instruments, books, sports equipment or emotionally valuable items.

In a second step, it is worth clarifying the insurance cover. A lack of cover can have fatal financial consequences after a burglary.

Only then does the question of personal security requirements arise: do you rely on security glass, surveillance cameras, mechanical and structural security measures or a safe? Or do you want complete security and protection and opt for an alarm system with a connection to an operations center?

Deter, delay, intervene, react

Deterrence begins with a hint of an alarm system. Well-locked doors, security glass or barred windows make intrusion more difficult. Cameras also have a deterrent effect, but the decisive factor is what happens after an alarm is triggered:

A quick response, for example by a security service or the police, is the key to intervening effectively so that a break-in can be prevented or at least the damage minimized.

Avoid confrontations!

Burglars are out to get to their target as quickly and undetected as possible. They want to get rich and avoid confrontation. A burglar wants to avoid being caught at - almost - all costs. If an encounter does occur, the following applies:

Don't play the hero, keep calm, get to safety and alert the police.

Discretion and mindfulness

Burglary protection starts with each individual, emphasizes Schärer. With simple measures, we can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a burglary:

• Avoid giving any indication of your absence on social media or on your answering machine.
• Always lock windows and doors carefully, even if you are away for a short time.
• Regularly check windows and doors for signs of attempted break-ins.
• Maintain good relations with your neighbors and keep an eye out for suspicious changes.