Moving into a new home is exciting, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer! However, it can also be stressful and tiresome. As you work towards unpacking your belongings and getting used to your new home, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The most important being safety and security. When you move into a new house in Comox Valley, it is good practice to take some safety precautions. For instance, changing the locks or installing a security camera. In this article, we will be going over some of our best security tips for moving into a new home. Although Comox is relatively crime-free, the following advice will ensure that your new home is safe and secure. Continue reading below to learn more!
How to Keep Your New House in Comox Valley Safe?
- Fire Safety
When you move into your new home, it is important that you take the necessary steps to ensure that it is fire safe. When people consider the safety and security of their homes, they often focus on human intruders. However, house fires are much more likely to occur. And the number one cause of house fires is usually unattended cooking. To mitigate the risks of house fires, be sure to check that your smoke detectors are working. Replace any dead batteries and test that all alarms are in order.
Another fire-safety tip is to make sure that you have a fire extinguisher handy. A good rule of thumb is to have one extinguisher per floor of your house. And, one of these should live in your kitchen! Fire extinguishers are often forgotten about tools. However, they can make the difference in a small incident vs. a major tragedy.
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Another item to check is your carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is colourless, tasteless, and odourless, which makes it virtually impossible to detect without an alarm. There are various household appliances that can produce carbon monoxide. For instance, water heaters, furnaces/boilers, fireplaces (gas/woodburning) and gas stoves. Homes that use gas or oil should have a carbon monoxide detector. Be sure to check your carbon monoxide detectors regularly.
- Dryer Vent
Dryer vents can be unsuspectingly dangerous. Especially, when they’re clogged! When you move into a new home, it is important to check that your dryer vents are clean. A clogged dryer vent is a common cause of house fires. Cleaning your dryer vents regularly will mitigate fire risks and help your dryer run more efficiently!
More Tips!
- Evacuation Plan
If you have school-aged children, then you’ve probably been asked what the household evacuation plan is. Most children are taught early on in their education that every home should have an evacuation plan in case of an emergency. However, even those without children should think about this. Having a solid evacuation plan can prevent confusion and chaos in the event that something goes awry. Your evacuation plan should include exit strategies from every room in your home and a meeting place. Be sure to choose a meeting place that is off of, or near the edge of, your property.
- Door Locks
After moving into a new home, the last thing that’s probably going to be on your mind is changing the locks. However, taking the time to install new locks is a key step in your home’s safety. You should have your locks replaced or rekeyed upon moving in. Unless you are certain that your home’s locks are brand new, you never know who might have a key to your new home. At the end of the day, it’s better to be safe than sorry and take the time to replace your locks.
- Security System
If your new house in Comox Valley doesn’t have a security system, then you might want to consider adding one. Houses with security systems are much less likely to be broken into or vandalized. Furthermore, it can add value to your home if you decide to sell it later on. Make sure you buy your security system from a reputable company. And, if you want to save some money, consider installing the cameras yourself.
Contact us About a House in Comox Valley
If you are curious about what safety items to complete when moving into a house in Comox Valley, we encourage you to contact us today! If you have any questions about houses in the area, be sure to reach out to us! We are excited to get your spring real estate goals on track. A house in Comox Valley is a great lifetime investment. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns or inquiries about real estate in Comox Valley. Be sure to check out our social media here, and return next month for more real estate-related content! We look forward to working with you in the near future.
