What to Do if You Are a Victim of a Crime in Your Home

Crime can strike at any time in major cities. Unfortunately, crime may strike even within your Orlando-area home, leaving you traumatized, injured, and in need of immediate attention. If you find that your home has turned into another Orlando crime scene, follow these steps to protect yourself and your home.

Call 911

Do not delay in calling law enforcement to your home to begin an investigation. The sooner you call, the better preserved the crime scene will be. This can help to aid the investigation by preventing evidence from getting contaminated or lost in the aftermath of a crime.

Contact a Crime Scene Cleanup Service

After the crime scene has been cleared for re-entry by law enforcement, you may need to contact a crime scene clean-up service. These businesses specialize in fully recovering homes after investigations into a crime are complete. Common contaminants that require professional clean-up include blood stains, bodily fluids, medical waste, and forensic residue.

Talk to Someone You Trust

In the hustle of answering questions, finding a place to stay, and checking in with loved ones, it can sometimes be difficult to remember to care for your own wellbeing. Talk to someone you trust about what you’re going through—this can be a friend, a family member, a partner, or a counselor. It’s important to allow the grieving process to happen, even if it may be painful or uncomfortable so that you can move on.

Take Care of Your Body

In addition to some of the mental and emotional stress, you may be experiencing, your body is likely also suffering from physical stress that can be equally damaging. Remember to eat healthy meals, drink lots of water, and rest. The better your body feels, the better you’ll be able to address the trauma of the crime you’ve experienced. You’ll also be better prepared to identify and utilize healthy coping mechanisms to encourage a quicker recovery.