With the “Sold” sign finally out of your window, you can finally put down the keys and prepare for your new home. However, before you can take a walk through your house or start dreaming up ways to decorate your kitchen, you should think about the security of your new place.
Your new home may be filled with all the comforts that you have been dreaming of, but you also need to ensure that it is secured from prying eyes and potential intruders. Former homeowners, contractors, and others who had access to your property while you were moving in and out of the house can still pose a threat to your security. Follow these priorities to ensure your house is safe and secure once and for all.
Step 1: Secure the Entry Points
The first thing that any homeowner should do when moving into a new home is to ensure that they are the only individuals who have a key to the property.
Changing locks involves replacing the entire lockset on the front and back doors. Rekeying a lock only involves changing the internal pins of a lock to ensure that the old keys no longer work to open the door. If your locks will be in good enough condition for rekeying, a locksmith can help with that. A lock company can also go ahead and replace the locks in the event that the doors are older and use a different lockset.
Don’t forget the garage! Many individuals often forget that they need to reset the code for the garage door opener to the manufacturer’s code for the garage doors. Also, many individuals have a garage door opener that uses a remote that used to belong to the former homeowner. Resetting that code will ensure that their remote does not have access to your garage.
Sliding doors can be forced open, so use a security bar or insert a wooden dowel into the door track to prevent someone from forcing the door open.
Step 2: Lighting and Visibility
Many individuals use lighting as a means of enhancing the security of their property. By making your home a well-lit property, it will be harder for an intruder to move about the home in the dark. Additionally, motion-sensor lights will allow any movement around the property to alert the homeowner.
Trim the bushes that may cover your windows so that an intruder cannot hide in the bushes while entering your home.
Step 3: Cameras and Detectors
Use technology to enhance the security of your home. However, do not purchase any technology that will complicate your security process.
Use a video doorbell to keep an eye on the deliveries that come to your home without having to open the door. You can also, install perimeter cameras that will cover the driveway and the back door of your home.
Ensure that all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in place in every corner of your home. Replace the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Additionally, if the smoke detectors are over ten years old, replace the entire device.
New Homeowner Security Checklist
- Rekey or replace the exterior door locks.
- Reset the code and remotes for the garage door opener.
- Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and install fresh batteries.
- Identify the shutoff for the water supply and the main electrical panel.
- Install motion-sensor lights in areas of the home such as the front and back doors.
- Take clear photos of the state of your home for insurance company documentation.
A Touch of Heart for Your New Space
Whether you are moving into a historic home in the beautiful town of Tolland, the quiet charm of Ellington, or the vibrant community of Vernon, each of these towns has a unique character that deserves to be celebrated. Any town you settle in will have its own notable landmarks and natural views that have served as the inspiration for many of my watercolor paintings.
As you settle into your new life in one of these towns, remember that your walls can tell your story. While you are ticking off the items on your security checklist, consider adding a piece of art that reflects the natural beauty of the area in which you have just moved, and which will be meticulously crafted by hand instead of mass-produced by a computer.
Get a Professional Perspective
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the idea of preparing your new home for move in, I am here to assist you. A New Homeowner Walkthrough Consultation will allow me to go over the priorities that you should complete right away with your new home. Additionally, you can also discuss any maintenance priorities you have for your new home.
If you are interested in having a professional go over your new home to prepare it for your move in, feel free to contact me today to schedule your consultation.
