How Much Safety Is Too Much As Soon As You Move In?There is a very simple answer to that question: there is never ‘too much’ when talking about safety after a move. After the not-so-much-fun part of the move is over, and the movers in Seattle are gone, you just want to relax and enjoy your new home in the company of your family and friends, however, there is one more thing you must take care of, and it is to make sure your loved ones are completely safe in the new nest.

Keep them safe from what, you say? How about potential fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and burglars? Yes, believe it or not, these are more than common hazards that afflict thousands of moving families across America. Fire alone, kills more than 3,000 people per year in their homes, and more than 350,000 residential fires are attended by fire departments.

So, first things first:

1. As soon as you move, put new batteries in the smoke alarm devices and ensure they are working OK. Monthly maintenance is key!

2. Work on an evacuation plan after carefully studying the floor plan, and identify the safest areas.

3. Install a carbon monoxide detector if there is none. It is a great risk in the presence of furnaces, ranges, and water and room heaters. Symptoms are similar to those associated with the common flu: headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and difficulty breathing.

4. Get someone to inspect the heating system for blockages, corrosion and disconnections.

5. Install all appliances following the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes.

6. Make it a habit to lock all doors and windows while you are away and during the night. Many, out of the more than a million burglaries that happen each year, are avoidable, but it has been confirmed that homeowners do not know how to keep their homes safe:

- Do not place valuables in front of windows, where they will be seen by people walking by.

- Ensure every door and window has a lock. For doors, get deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate.

- Sliding doors should be secured with a metal rod in the track to prevent forced opening.

- Always lock the attached garage.

- Get a good outdoor lighting system.

- Trim the shrubs near the entrance so that there is no place for burglars to hide.

- Inquire if the neighborhood has a community watch program; if yes, join it; if not, encourage neighbors to start one.

- Install an alarm; it has proven very useful to discourage crime and give peace of mind to homeowners.

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Rachel ClarksonSeattle Movers