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Buying a home is exciting, but there are also a lot of stressors that come with being a new homeowner. When you’re moving into a new house, everything is unknown. You might not be familiar with the neighborhood or what it’s like to live there, no matter how much you’ve read up about it online. Obviously, everyone wants to keep their home and their families safe, but for new homeowners, it’s especially important. Allow yourself some time to prepare and take precautions that’ll ensure your home is in good hands when you’re away.
Talk to your neighbors
One of the easiest ways to find out the safety level of your new neighborhood is to talk to the people who know it best: your neighbors. While you’re moving in, it’s likely your neighbors will give a friendly “Hello!” or strike up a conversation. Use that opportunity to get a feel for the neighborhood, or even ask questions about crime or issues they’ve had in the past. They might be able to give you good tips on ways they’ve kept their home safe that will be helpful to you.
Buy a home security system
Home security is a huge component in ensuring that your home is safe at all times. Since you can’t be home 24/7, you want to be sure that your home is protected even when you can’t be there. SimpliSafe is a great, user-friendly option for home security. Knowing your home is always protected puts you at ease, and you don’t have to worry about intruders, as police will be notified at any sign of a break-in. Whether you’re just at work, or away on a trip, you’ll have peace of mind with a robust home security system.
Keep eyes on your home
While purchasing a proper home security system goes a long way, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra set of eyes on your home when you’re traveling. Regardless of how long you’ll be away, have someone you trust check in every couple of days to make sure everything is in order. If you become friendly enough with your neighbors, you could simply ask them to keep an eye out while you’re gone. Another option is having a family member stay at your house during your vacation, or at least stop by regularly to get the mail.
Set up lighting
In the event that your new home doesn’t have proper outside lighting, an easy way to deter intruders is to install some motion detection lighting outside your house. Whenever someone approaches your house, the motion sensor lights might be enough to scare them off if they think they’ll be visible to your neighbors or people passing by. Set up the lights on both the front and back of your house, and possibly in a side or backyard as well. The more lights you have, the better protected your home will be.
Lock your doors and windows
It’s important to keep your home locked up, especially when you’re unsure of the safety of your neighborhood. Before you go to bed or head out for an errand, check to make sure all of your doors and windows are closed and locked. Even the safest of neighborhoods can be susceptible to occasional crime, and you don’t want to make your home an easy target by forgetting to lock up. As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Even if you have to double check before you leave the house, it’s worth it.
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