How to Prepare For Your New Home’s Safety and Security

Whether you live in Center City or out in the ‘burbs you will want to plan your new home’s security measures. It is important you have safety measures ready to go for after settlement!

Here is some food for thought to help you start planning what security and safety measures you will take. You may need to schedule a locksmith or order items from the Amazon links in green provided in preparation so do not wait until settlement day.

Things That Are A Must Have Security Measures

(I really want you to do these. pretty please)

1. Re-key all of your door locks.  You just never know who still has a key to your new home.  Better to be safe than sorry and have a locksmith re-key the existing locks on all of your exterior doors. This is a MUST for all buyers.  Most locksmiths can re-key all of the exterior locks so you only have one key which opens all of your exterior doors.  I recommend having at least one deadbolt on all exterior doors.  I highly recommend having this done the day you move in or directly after settlement. My personal favorite exterior door electronic keypad is the Schlage Encode series. I offer temporary passcodes to pet sitters, cleaners, and family and friends. Anyone can install! DO THIS AFTER SETTLEMENT!

2. Install an alarm system.  Plan to spend $100 – $300 on installation depending on if you want motion sensors, door windows, glass break alarms, etc. I strongly recommend having a security system if you’re buying a single family house or a condo below ground, on the first floor or one which has an exterior staircase that people could climb up to get to your unit.  It can take a week or more to get an appointment so I recommend calling now and setting up the appointment for the day after closing.  Remember, you’re most likely to get broken into the first week you’re in a new home.  Thieves look for people moving in as they know the are generally easier to burglarize as they don’t have many safety features set up yet. Let my Utility Concierge service set this up for you and save you money while doing it! Even if you are not a client of mine or perhaps a friend that has moved across country using my referral system, you can use my nationwide Utility Concierge Service!

3. Put a peep hole in your front door if it doesn’t already have one.  This isn’t hard to do and can normally be installed by a handyman.

4. If you have an older sliding glass door, buy a guard dog security bar and keep it in the door track on the floor when the door isn’t open.  I also recommend adding a jimmy plate and an auxiliary lock to any patio doors.

5. Install new Smoke or Smoke/C02 detectors in your home. I recommend the battery version as when the lithium battery dies that typically means the sensor no longer works on them either. Most recommend replacing smoke detectors every 10 years because of that sensor. If you do need hardwired style, try these. For the Top of the Line Smoke and CO2 Detector, Click here or here for the wireless version or for the hardwired version, click here. Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends a CO2 detector on each floor of a residence. At a minimum, a single detector should be placed on each sleeping floor with an additional detector in the area of any major gas burning appliances such as a furnace or water heater.

6. Fire Extinguisher! I keep one in my kitchen in case my cooking goes up in flames and one in my utility room. Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher that is easily accessible. Some homes should have at three or more, depending on the number of rooms and floors. Of course, while fire extinguishers control or extinguish small fires, they aren't appropriate for large blazes.

Things I Strongly Recommend But Are At Your Discretion

1. Install Door Armor from Amazon on each of your exterior doors.  These simple strike plates are highly effective at preventing your front door from being kicked in, even if you live in a condo building. If you’re buying a condo in a small building that has a common door leading into the building, consider asking the Association if you can install Door Armor on the building’s exterior doors as well as on the door to your own unit.  These items are simple to install with a drill.  This is a must have for single family home owners and is a product installed on many homes and investment properties. 

2. Consider installing a Night Lock on back or side doors you won’t use every day. They are highly effective at preventing someone from breaking in.  These are must haves in single family home basement and back doors.

3. If you have any glass in your front door or windows at or below ground level, I recommend installing Window Security Film on your windows. It’s a clear plastic film that covers the inside of your window (you can’t even tell it’s there) and makes it virtually impossible to break the glass and enter the home.

4. If you’re buying a single family home, add a dusk to dawn light near exterior doors and consider a motion detector light on the gangway or garage area.  If you’re buying in a condo building, ask the Association to add these items if they aren’t already in place in the building.

5. If you are buying a single family home with a garage and the garage has a window, consider putting a curtain over the window or change the window to frosted or glass block so potential burglars can’t see inside your garage. Definitely add Window Security Film to your garage window as it’s a prime spot for a break in.

6. Escape Ladder. In several of the homes I lived in growing up, there were shared walls on both sides. My parents kept a ladder under my bed and taught me how to use it in case of a fire. Perhaps they were concerned about a neighbor being a worse cook than them and setting the whole block up in flames. If you would like to keep an escape ladder upstairs, consider purchasing a 2 story ladder and/ or a 3 story ladder for your peace of mind. AND TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY! Not sure what to say? Plan a visit to your local fire house- they may even let you sit in the truck.

7. Security System- Use my Utility Connect Concierge program to be connected with a home security system. Fill out this form to be contacted.

8. Ring Door Bell- Here is the link for the battery one with the chime to install in the house so you can hear when the doorbell rings even if your phone or Alexa devices are on silent.

I strongly urge you to consider doing the above items as soon as you move in. Criminals are known to watch new people moving in to see what kinds of valuables you’re bringing into the home such as TVs, computers, etc. and then rob you shortly after moving in. Fire Safety is very important, too! Better to be safe than sorry.