Safety Precaution Tips When Moving into a Newly Purchased House
Purchasing and moving into a new house is a milestone many of us aspire to reach. Surely, you’re excited to start unpacking and figuring out how you’re going to decorate your new place. While this is, without a doubt, the best part about moving in, you must remember that you also need to make your new dwelling safe and secure. Given the alarming statistics about burglars breaking and entering one house every 25 seconds, it pays to take certain security measures so you can start your life in your new house on the right foot. So, before you get back to unpacking and decorating, here’s what you need to cross off your checklist.
Remember to change all the locks on your new house
First things first, when you’re moving into your new home, you want to make sure that no one else has access to your property. Chances are, previous homeowners have given copies to repairmen, house cleaners, maybe even their neighbors and friends. It’s better not to risk it and rekey your new home – the sooner the better. Find a local locksmith to change the locks for you once you move in. Doing so should protect your home from intruders and ensure you’re the only one who has the key to your new house.
Do thorough research on your neighborhood and meet your neighbors
As soon as you move into your new home, take a walk around the neighborhood. Pay attention to the condition of the neighborhood, the houses, and yards. Do they appear to be well-maintained? How about the interaction between neighbors? Are there kids playing and do the residents spend time outside? All these could be indicators of how safe the neighborhood is, so keep that in mind. Also, get to know your new neighbors right after you move in. If you build a good relationship with them, you can watch each other’s houses when one of you goes on a vacation. Doing so will ensure your home is safe even when you’re away.
Get your home and all your valuables insured
While safeguarding your house is an effective way to ensure peace of mind, you should also take some additional steps to help secure your possessions. When it comes to protecting your belongings, you want to make sure you get an insurance policy that will provide the right coverage in case any of your contents get damaged or stolen. That way, in case of burglary, theft, or attempted theft, you can rest assured that your belongings are covered. Knowing that your home and valuables are financially protected should help you feel more secure and safe in your new house.
Reinforce all the doors and windows in your new home
It is common knowledge that most burglars use windows and doors to enter the houses. Because of this, theft-proofing these common entry points should be your top priority as a new homeowner. Reinforce these vulnerable parts of your new house by making some upgrades. Since 34% of burglars enter through the door, make sure to install a deadbolt and add a video doorbell. Also, check how strong the door frames are. Add a door sensor to your sliding doors, and burglar-proof your mail slot as well so it can’t be used to unlock the doors. As for the windows, window bars and glass break detectors should be able to deter any burglar who tries to get in.
Install an efficient home security system
According to statistics, a home that has a security system is 60% less likely to be targeted by thieves. Just the sight of cameras and motion detectors is enough to scare off potential burglars and prevent break-ins. While it might seem easier to install fake cameras as they’re cheaper, they can’t record anything in case someone decides to break in. Your safest bet would be to get the real deal. If that’s not an option, a DIY security system is still a better solution than faux surveillance or nothing at all.
Create the illusion that you’re home (even when you’re not)
Having a security system and a couple of neighbors to keep an eye on your home while you’re gone certainly helps. However, when it comes to thieves, you can’t be too careful. Make sure that your yard looks neat and maintained. Trim any shrubs and hedges, and remember to mow the lawn. If you’re going to be away for a while, ask your neighbors to collect the mail and newspaper for you. Also, consider putting your TVs and your lights on timers. Doing these things will make it look like you’re at home, even when you’re not, thus deterring thieves.
While it may not be as fun and interesting as selecting new paint colors and choosing a layout, securing your home is certainly a necessity. These safety precaution tips are a great place to start when burglar-proofing your home. However, don’t put too much pressure on yourself trying to tackle them all at once. Take it easy, step by step, and think which methods are the most doable at the moment (and which ones are the most important to you), leaving the rest for later. The important thing is that, by applying them, you’ll be protecting your new home and your family, which should give you peace of mind.
—
Written by Lana Hawkins
Lana Hawkins is a stay-at-home mom, writer, and interior design enthusiast. She loves writing about interiors, but her specialty is landscape design. She enjoys playing in the kitchen and cooking for her friends and family, spending time in nature and learning about other cultures by traveling. She is a regular contributor to smoothdecorator.com.
Exclusive for JulieCoRealty.com