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Buying a new home requires preparing for your big move, including home safety. Here’s a checklist to make your new home safe.

Let’s focus on safety items that will protect your entire family and guests from harm.

 

Room-by-Room Home Safety Checklist

Safety begins at home. Making every room hazard-free should be your priority. Let’s explore every room from the front to the backyard.

Front Entrance Safety Checklist

Your front door needs a new door lock. Every home comes with a front door entrance used by previous owners. Random keys to your front door invite unwanted visitors. Keep your family safe by installing a new front door locking system.

Anti-burglary experts recommend more than one front door lock. Bob Vila, the famous home advisor, recommends “The Best Door Locks” for entry door home security at least include a doorknob and deadbolt system. He recommends both locks to maintain the

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) rating, construction, and materials.

Double cylinder vertical locks give better protection against burglars. Smart locks use high-tech Wi-Fi networks to receive and send information to your computer or smartphone. You can also add fingerprint recognition for extra security. Also, some smart locks feature motion-activated cameras to record every visitor.

Hallway Safety Checklist

Every hallway from the front entrance to the back door needs a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.

Add nightlights to keep people from stumbling down in dark hallways. Motion sensors can turn on the nightlights to save energy and keep lights from disturbing others.

Secure rugs to prevent people from tripping by using adhesive tape to keep rugs in place or non-skid mats.

Bedroom Safety Checklist

Create an escape plan in case of fire or other emergencies. Your family needs to know where to go in case of an emergency.

Like the hallways, install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.in every bedroom.

Bathroom Safety Checklist

Locate the main shut-off valve for your home’s water system usually under the bathroom sink. Turn off the valve and test the faucets for leaks.

Test toilets and faucets for drips or leaks. Turn on each faucet for adequate pressure. Flush every toilet to ensure each bowl empties and refills.

Test showerheads for adequate pressure and note the temperature to avoid scalding. Low pressure requires removing and cleaning the showerhead to see if that is the problem.

Inspect the caulking around the tub, shower, and bathroom tiles. Bad smell or discoloration are signs of mildew or mold. Inspect the joints where doors, walls, and the floor meet for cracks or holes.

Prevent falls as slipping in tubs or showers are common accidents. Add grab bars, non-slip decals, and non-slip mats.

Keep a first aid kit in the bathrooms and the kitchen where most accidents happen. Make it easily accessible. Keep the kit fully stocked with bandages, medical tape, gauze, and antiseptic.

Secure medicines to keep prescriptions and medicines out of the wrong hands. Keep them in a locked medicine box or cabinet. Dispose of all expired and unused medicines.

Kitchen Safety Checklist

Kitchen safety hazards occur during cooking and using appliances. Clean and test each appliance for age or damage.

Purchase a fire extinguisher as fires break out in kitchens. Half of all home fires are caused by cooking equipment. Teach your family members how to use the fire extinguisher.

Insect the range hood to make sure the fan and range hood doesn’t have greasy buildup before you cook your first meal.

Check water filters if your new home has a water purification system the filter needs cleaning and maintenance. Also, check the faucets, fridge, and anywhere else providing drinking water.

Clean coils and vents for dust bunnies which cause many fires. Wipe and vacuum all appliance vents and coils.

Inspect the electrical circuits for overloads as modern hi-tech appliances and refrigerators use lots of energy and can trip your home’s main breaker. Circuits that trip too often may overheat leading to an electrical fire. Identify all appliances requiring a dedicated circuit and purchase new circuits.

Install safety latches to all drawers and cupboards holding knives and cleaners to keep pets and small children from harm.

Inspect drains and garbage disposal to make sure they are not clogged. Test the garbage disposal. Check the pipes for leaks and look under the sink for mildew, wet spots, and signs of prior leaks.

Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as every kitchen needs them. Buy a new smoke alarm and CO detector if your new home doesn’t have them or are faulty or old. Change the batteries regularly, Inspect the sensors for dust that interferes with detectors.

Keep an emergency contact list on the fridge with your cell phone and work numbers. Also, the numbers for the local police, fire station, poison control, and a neighbor or family to help in an emergency.

Basement Safety Checklist

Find your home’s main breaker panel. Test the circuit breakers to make sure each one works. Label each breaker to know what they shut off.

Check the water heater for leaks or discoloration. Once a year, hire a professional to flush the tank and clean out the sediment to extend the heater’s life. Gas water heaters require caring for the pilot light and venting system. Keep the water heater at 120 degrees or lower to prevent scalding and burns.

Change the air filters in your air conditioning and heating units. Inspect and change the filters regularly. Most homes need an air filter change every three months.

Check for foundation damage for signs of cracks in floors or walls (especially over doors and windows) where the walls and ceiling meet. Look for wet spots and discoloration.

Check door and window locks to make sure all exterior doors and windows open easily and lock securely. Windows with bars need a quick-release system in case of fire or emergencies. Install door and window sensors in areas unused or hidden.

Secure handrails on the basement stairs and fix any unstable or loose ones.

Create proper lighting as lack of lighting in dark basements and storage areas cause accidents. Install the light switches at the top and bottom stairs to avoid falls.

Install non-skid tape to the stairs to keep family and visitors from slipping. Also, paint the last step white so it’s more visible in low lighting.

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Outside Safety Checklist

Replace all exterior doors locks and add deadbolts. Install keyless smart locks for extra security.

Install security lighting on doorways and walkways to discourage burglars. Motion detector lights save energy and surprise unwanted visitors.

Inspect the roof for cracked or missing shingles or tiles. You may need a professional roofer to find hidden defects or old worn spots.

Check the window screens for tear and repair or replace them. Make sure the window screen frame fits snugly and replace if loose or bent.

Inspect downspouts and rain gutters for deterioration and mold. Use a gutter cleaning tool or a leaf blower to clean out the gutters.

San Diego Ranked 4th Safest City in America

After reading about safety precautions against burglars, those of you seeking to buy a new home in San Diego don’t worry.

Fox Business on October 16, 2021, ranked San Diego as the 4th Safest City in America.

San Diego 4th Safest City – Licensed under the Fair Use doctrine

 

Want to Live in a Safe City?

 

Your checklist to make your new home safe requires less to protect you from burglars in the greater San Diego area.

Big Block Realty offers experienced Realtors familiar with all neighborhoods in San Diego.

Contact us to learn more about how safe San Diego is for your entire family.

 

Steven Rich, MBA – Guest blogger

 

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Steven Rich, MBA

Steven Rich, MBA

Steven Rich, MBA has been involved in the real estate industry for over 30 years. As an investor, real estate agent, associate editor of a real estate magazine, a real estate marketing expert, a Wikipedia real estate article author, and as a writer.