It’s dark, you’re coming home from an evening out with friends, and you notice your front door isn’t quite secured. And to your dismay, you eventually discover that many of your personal items have been stolen.

A home burglary can leave many homeowners lost and without a sense of security, according to Security World News. Not only has a personal space been violated, but the potential for damage to the remaining property can also be high.

If you are a victim of burglary, here are some tips on how to handle it:

Make a list of what you know is missing immediately, and add to it as you discover more items are gone. You’ll want to connect with your insurance agent and make property insurance claims. Your agent will be able to help you through the process so your claims are processed quickly.

Having a documented list of valuable items – with photographs and receipts if possible – can be a great way to inform the police about items that are missing, and to keep your personal property insurance coverage as up to date and accurate as possible.

After the police report is compiled, you may need to take precautions to make your home safe again. For starters, review the security on your house. Did you leave doors or windows unlocked? Were your drapes opened so that your valuables were easily visible through the windows to people walking or driving by? Is your landscaping trimmed back, or could a potential thief climb a tree to easily access the second story or roof of your home?

A burglary can be a hard way to discover your home’s security weaknesses, but you can use the knowledge to make your home – and possessions – more secure and prevent burglary again.