Moving Into A New Home? Here's How To Make It Safe

You don’t know who has had the keys to your new home before - neighbours, previous tenants or relatives of the previous occupants. Make it a priority to update all the key codes for security systems and replace all the locks on the property. It’s a simple step but takes away a big risk.

While you’re changing the door locks, take time to check the windows. If any are loose or don’t have locks, organise to get them sorted. If you don’t have keys for existing window deadlocks, install new ones as this is a safety hazard as well as being annoying.

Also think about your spare key for when someone inevitably locks themselves out. In a perfect world you shouldn’t have a spare key outside, but if you must, don’t put it in an obvious place. Consider buying a lockbox with a code, so that even if someone finds the key, they’ll have to crack the code to use it.

Trim back big bushes and trees to eliminate or reduce hiding places for prowlers. In particular, do this for bushes that obscure windows. Consider having gravel laid under your windows, as it’s noisy and helps to dissuade tip-toeing intruders. Install outdoor lighting that is motion-activated as a further deterrent to burglars.

There’s a great range of options for a home security system. You can go all-out and get hard-wired cameras, motion activated sensors on all windows and doors, and pay to have it monitored. Or consider a DIY security system, where you can buy the items you want - such as a front door camera or motion sensor - and connect them to a central hub.

While having lots of light flooding into your home is a positive thing, it means that potential burglars can see into your home too, allowing them to do a stocktake of what they’d like to steal. It can cost a bit to set it up, but curtains and other window treatments, such as window tinting, offer security and privacy.

When you get a minute, pop over and introduce yourself to your new neighbours and give them the family run-down…kids, pets and anything else relevant. It’s a nice thing to do, but also means you’ve got an extra set of eyes on the place.

If the house doesn’t have smoke alarms, install some. Smoke alarms cannot detect smoke through a closed door, so it's recommended to install one in every bedroom, hallway and living room. Don't install smoke alarms in the kitchen, laundry or bathroom as smoke and steam may trigger them and give false alarm. Instead you can protect these areas with a heat alarm. A heat alarm is designed to active when the room reaches a set temperature, so won't go off every time you accidentally burn the toast, or have a shower.

If there are smoke alarms in the home already, replace the batteries if needed and make sure there are alarms in all the right places. Consider carbon monoxide detectors, especially if you have gas heating or cooking.

Laundry fires caused by dryers are more common than you think. Make sure there's proper ventilation and air space around your clothes dryer. And remember to remove lint and dryer fluff after each use. Static electricity and build up of heat can cause dust, lint and chemical residue on clothing to catch fire.

Put these tasks near the top of your to-do list, because you don’t want to be running around looking for the valve when the water is exploding from the wall! Hopefully, the power fuse box is all labelled, but if it’s not you’re going to need to get someone to stand in rooms while you turn fuses off and on.