Home Safety Tips for First-Time Homeowners

When purchasing your first home, there can be a lot to juggle. Between the financial hurdles, decorating, unpacking, and home maintenance, safety might not always be the first priority. Home safety is crucial, especially if you plan on starting a family in the future. These home tips will help you create a safe environment in every area of your home. 

Invest in a Good Security System

A good security system is one of the best ways to ensure a safe home. The right security system can include a lot of different things depending on your needs. For the inside of your home, purchasing a security alarm and some motion detectors is a great place to start. A proper security system will alert you if any doors or windows are open while the system is armed. Many systems also will alert the authorities automatically in the event of a break-in. If you have kids in the house, this type of system should be considered a necessity.  

If you want to take this a step further, installing security cameras around the perimeter of your home and facing any entry points is a great method for maintaining a safe home. In the event of a break-in or property damage, you’re able to go back to look at your camera footage to help identify the intruder for the authorities. Security cameras are also great for families who do a lot of traveling. Cameras allow you to check in on your home while you’re away, with easy access from a smartphone. At your fingertips, you can easily see if your house is the same as when you left it, check to see if you received any packages, or make sure no windows and doors were left open accidentally.

Promote Safety to Your Children

Outside of a security system, it’s important to teach your children about home safety from a young age. Of course, there are many different aspects of home safety to cover, so taking it slow will help them understand the importance. Firstly, stranger danger is essential for children to recognize. Teaching them not to answer the door, especially if they’re home alone, or to not answer the phone unless they recognize the caller are both crucial to their safety. Additionally, when kids are outside it’s important for them to be aware of their surroundings and not to approach anyone they don’t know. If your child is out playing in your neighborhood and needs something, there are many different phones and smart watches for kids that you can set contacts into in case of an emergency. 

In addition to staying safe in regard to others, it’s also important for kids to stay safe in the event of an emergency at home. Many schools teach fire safety at a young age, but as a parent, you should have a plan in place in case of a fire in your home. The most important thing in this area is to have a meeting place outside your home in the event of a fire. Whether it be a tree in your front yard or your mailbox, you should have fire drills at home to practice going to the meeting spot safely. Some good tips for choosing a proper meeting place are to ensure that it doesn’t involve crossing the street, isn’t too close to your home in the event of a fire, and is easy to locate in the dark. It’s also crucial to discuss ways for kids to identify a safe route out of your house during a fire.

In terms of other emergency situations, such as a break-in or natural disaster, you should develop plans with your kids to choose meeting and/or hiding spots in this event. In the event of a break-in, make sure your child knows to remain calm and quiet and find a safe space to hide. This could be a closet, bathroom, or any other space in your home that an intruder would not go to first in the event of a theft. 

Protect All Areas of Your Home

As essential as it is to protect your home against intruders, it’s equally as important to protect it against hazards or other emergencies. Home warranty plans can help in case something needs last minute repair or replacement. If something like your HVAC system, electrical system, or an appliance breaks, a home warranty is a great way to protect those costly items so the repairs don’t take a huge sum out of your savings account. 

In addition to protecting your things with a home warranty, it’s also important to protect yourself and your family with some additional precautionary solutions. With items like a water leak sensor or a smoke alarm monitor, you’ll be able to detect any hazards or emergencies in your home before it’s too late. In situations like this as well as other emergencies, a panic button can be a great investment as well. These are great to put in the high-traffic areas of your home as well as bedrooms or bathrooms in case of an emergency. As your family grows, home safety will become more of a priority. These tips will ensure that you’re taking the proper precautions to keep your family safe so you can focus on making everlasting memories in your first home.