6 Important Steps to Take When Moving Into Your New Home

Moving usually brings up a whole mix of emotions–from excitement and stress to fatigue and fear. Once the moving process is over and you’re officially in your new home, the more optimistic feelings should start to take precedence over the negative ones, but your job isn’t done just yet. Here are a few essential steps you should take in your new home to ensure your safety and start to fully settle in:

Locate the Fuse Box

Finding your home’s circuit breaker box right away means you’ll be able to act quickly in case of a power outage or in an emergency situation, such as an electrical fire. Overloaded outlets, short circuits or even large appliances can blow a fuse or trip a breaker, which are common reasons for you to have to access the fuse box. Some common locations are the basement or garage, but sometimes they can be tucked away on the exterior of the home or in a closet.

Find Your Shut-Off Valves

Few things can cause more damage to your home than a water or gas leak. Locate both your water and gas shut-off valves right away and consider showing them to everyone who lives with you as a safety measure. Most homes will have a water shut-off valve in the kitchen and near each toilet, while gas shut-off valves are typically located closer to the gas meter. It can also be beneficial to know where the master water shut-off is located for the entire property in case a leak isn’t stopped by the local valve.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are vital to the safety of you and your family. Not only is it important to locate these tools in your new home, but it is equally important to test out each device to make sure they are functioning properly. If they aren’t working, do what you need to do to get them in working order as soon as possible or purchase new ones.

Create Emergency Plans

It’s not the most exciting part of moving into a new home but take a moment to identify emergency escape routes and create an emergency plan with your family. Add a lockout plan into the mix–what will you do if you end up locked out of your new house? Consider installing a lockbox or asking a friend or family member who lives close by to hold on to a spare key.

Check Out Your HVAC System

Most heating and cooling systems use a replaceable filter to ensure good airflow and prevent wear and tear. Even if the HVAC system was examined during the home inspection process, it’s a good idea to look at the HVAC filter, check for dirt and debris, and see if it’s time to swap it out for a new one. Experts recommend changing HVAC filters at least seasonally, or monthly, if you have pets in the home.

Get Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance is typically required before you can close on a home, but if you haven’t already secured a policy, do so immediately. Your home is likely the largest investment you’ll make in your lifetime, and homeowners insurance adds another layer of protection to your home, your personal property and your liability.