Safety should always be your No. 1 family priority.
Moving can be incredibly stressful, but it can also be exciting. Moving into a new home and new area means new experiences and new friends. It might also mean more room or a bigger yard. Moving also means there are a lot of unknowns, especially when it comes to the neighborhood and neighbors.
Hopefully, the area you’re moving into doesn’t have a high crime rate, but with more than 2 million burglaries occurring in 2010, it might not matter what neighborhood you live in. Your home might get burgled just by bad luck or chance. Because you have no control over if or when your home might be the target of burglars, it’s best to be prepared. Below are some tips to keep your family safe in your new home.
- Change and Check the Locks
When moving into a new house, one of the first things you should do is change the locks. Even if you have confidence that the previous owners aren’t going to come back at a later date, you don’t know who might have copies of keys that open your doors — or if those keys could fall into the wrong hands. Don’t take any chances and get the locks changed.
This is also a good time to check the locks on storm doors — some of which don’t have keys and can’t be replaced — and on windows. Ensuring everything locks properly will keep unsavory individuals from getting into your house.
- Check the Garage Door
Your garage door is the biggest opening to your house, and it can be dangerous to you and your family. Call a professional to ensure your door is in good working order so it doesn’t inadvertently fall and crush any family members. If you have an automatic garage door opener, you may consider having it reset so you and your family are the only ones who can open it.
- Keep the Spare Key to Your House Well-Hidden
We’ve all done it before: inadvertently locked ourselves out of the house. To keep it from happening again, you’re probably going to hide a key somewhere on your property. While this is a fine idea, keep in mind that some hiding places are better than others. Don’t make the rookie mistake of hiding the key under your welcome mat. In addition, most burglars will probably be on the lookout for fake rocks that hide keys. Some better options for your spare key include with a trusted neighbor, in a magnetic lock box or under the doghouse — if you have a dog.
- Make Sure Your Front Door Is Secure
Once you’ve changed your locks, make sure your front door is secure enough to keep people out. Most burglars enter through the front door, either because someone forgot to lock it, they pry or kick it open or they can access the lock in some other way, such as through a mail slot. While glass front doors look really nice, it’s all too easy for burglars to break in. You’ll also want to make sure your door has a deadbolt and a peephole.
Teaching your children when to open the door will also ensure their safety. If they are home alone, tell them they shouldn’t open the door for anyone they don’t know. If a stranger insists on getting into the house, make sure your kids know how to dial 9-1-1.
- Get a Security System
One way to ensure your house is protected is to install a security system. Not only will it protect your home from burglary, but a security system also has other benefits, including lowering your homeowner’s insurance, giving you remote access to your house — then you might not have to worry about hiding a spare key! — and informing you if there are any issues with the house, such as a gas leak or fire.
- Move Large Vegetation Away From the House
We all want to have nice, landscaped yards, but be cautious where you plant trees and large shrubs. Trees can allow burglars access to second-story windows, so even if you lock your doors and bolt your windows, they still might be able to access your house if you ever keep your upstairs windows open. Large bushes and shrubs give burglars hiding places. If you want plants in front of your house, keep them short and small.
- Meet Your Neighbors
Meeting your neighbors is a good way to make new friends, but it’s also a great way to get information about the neighborhood and have a second set of eyes on your home. With people having different schedules, it’s possible some of your neighbors will be home at various points throughout the day, so have them check to make sure everything looks fine at your house. If you have a chance to come home for a break, offer to do the same for them.
- Install Adequate Lighting
Motion sensor lighting is a great way to illuminate your property when it’s dark, but it also keeps your electric bills within reason. Having your property well-lit could deter burglars from attempting to get into your house in the middle of the night.
- Get a Dog
Dogs are one of the best deterrents to keep burglars out of your home. Even a small dog is better than no dog because they bark, and barking dogs draw a lot of attention, which is the last thing a burglar wants if they are trying to break into your home.
- Make It Look Like You Are Always Home
Another really good deterrent to keep unwanted individuals out of your home is to make it look like someone is there, even if the house is empty. Most people don’t enjoy confrontation, so it’s possible if a burglar thinks you’re home, they’ll move on to another house. You can make your house look occupied by putting lights and your TV on a timer so they turn off and on at various times throughout the day.
Technology makes our lives easier, and there are gadgets that can protect our homes and make it look like someone is there even if no one is. You might also consider having a friend or family member head over to your house at random times during the day to check on things and deter any criminals from getting in.
Moving to a new home can be exciting, but there are important things you must do to ensure you and your family’s safety. Having a plan in place and taking the time to secure your house and your belongings will give you a better chance of not being burglarized.
