Things First Time Home Owners Should Know

Test the Smoke Detectors

New home owners are consumed by the stress of moving in and getting settled. The risk of fire may be the last thing on their mind. But safety should always be a top concern, and fire can strike at any time. The National Fire Protection Association suggests placing smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home. If the new home lacks smoke detectors, install them immediately. If the house already has appropriately situated smoke detectors, new home owners should replace the batteries as soon as they move in, then set a monthly reminder to test the alarms and confirm that they’re still working.

Locate the Water Main Shut-Off Valve

Don’t wait for a water emergency to locate the home’s main H2O supply shut-off valve. After locating the valve, keep it free from brush and debris so it can easily be accessed in a crisis.

Obtain Sufficient Insurance

Unfortunately, bad things happen to good people, which is why it's imperative to be armed with adequate insurance. While home owners insurance and replacement coverage need to be, check that the policy also includes fire and flood protection, as certain plans call for additional riders to cover such catastrophes.

Sweep the Chimney

New home owners have a lot on their minds and usually aren't thinking much about fireplace maintenance. But even if they don't plan to use thei fireplace regularly, they still need to hire a chimney sweep to get the stack, smoke ducts, flue pipes, and the rest of the structure in order. This is an every year must-do, not only to prevent gas emissions and soot fires, but also to keep animal nests, deterioration, and other unforeseen factors from causing potentially dangerous problems.

Label the Electrical Box

After moving into a new home, it's important to spend time labelling all the breakers in the electrical box. The first time the power goes out or an emergency situation arises, it will be really helpful. Simply determine which circuits serve which outlets, and then label the breakers accordingly. If the previous home owners have already labelled the box, double-check that their map is correct.

Reference: http://www.bobvila.com/…/9-things-new-homeowners-don-t-know…