Moving into a new home is exciting, whether you just built or bought your first home, have moved due to a new job or are upgrading to a larger home. The move is also hectic, frustrating and stressful as you repaint rooms to give the new home your personal touch and try to find which box the pots and pans are in so you can fix something to eat while you unpack. Because of the confusion, there are some safety items that can easily be overlooked. These tips will help you keep your family safe and give you more peace of mind as you settle in.
Install New Locks
This is especially important if you bought an existing home even though the sellers handed over their keys when you went to settlement. It is possible that they have given out keys to others, such as a neighbor, their friends or relatives who were responsible for letting pets out or bringing in the mail when the sellers were away. If several people had that responsibility, the seller may have missed a set of keys when they collected them. Changing the locks and keypad numbers on security systems is a great way to make sure you know who has access to your home.
Eliminate Natural Blockages
If the previous owner has allowed bushes and shrubs to grow to the point they are blocking windows and doors, trim them as quickly as you can. You should also trim hedges that block your home from the road as burglars are more likely to try to gain access into a home with doors and windows that cannot be clearly seen from the road. Install gravel below first-floor windows that will alert you to sound should someone try to break in.
Consider a Security System
One way to protect your home from crime is to install a security system. Today, you can find relatively inexpensive systems that allow you to monitor your home from your Smartphone. There are small camera systems with motion detectors that alert you when there is movement in front of the camera. You can even get sophisticated keypad systems that send an alert to the police and fire company should there be a problem. Select the system that works best for you. If you are worried about packages disappearing from the front step, a simple doorbell camera may suffice. If your kids are always leaving their keys behind, a system with a keypad and monitoring may be a better option.
Be Neighborly
The neighbors may not think twice about someone they don’t recognize near your home since they aren’t really familiar with who should be there. As soon as you can, meet the neighbors. The day you move in is the best day, even though it can be hectic. Simply walk over and introduce yourself and your family. Let them know about your children and pets, a rough idea of your schedule and even exchange numbers. Being neighborly puts another set of eyes on your home which could be very beneficial in the future.
Carbon Monoxide and Fire Protection
The day you move in, test all the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are in working order. If they are battery-operated, replace all batteries with new ones and make a note on the calendar when you changed them. You can set a specified date, such as daylight savings time, to check them regularly. If anyone in your family has allergies or asthma, you may want to consider installing an air purifier as well, especially if you have purchased a larger home.
Avoid Laundry Room Fires
The previous owner may have simply forgotten to clear out the dryer vent when they moved out. Check the endpoint of the vent where hot air is released outside and make sure the vent opens easily. You may need to check the entire vent, from the dryer to the outside exhaust to be sure there is no clogged lint. Check washer hoses and clamps to be sure they are not cracked or broken. This is because laundry rooms are the leading cause of fire and water damage in homes in the United States. You should also never leave your home with your dryer running due to this statistic.
If you are considering a new home purchase or looking into building a new home, contact Southdown Homes today to see how we can help you make that dream come true. You can give us a call at 610-873-1900 or visit our website to learn more about The Southdown Experience.
