How Important is Home Security When You Move House?

Moving to a new home marks an exciting chapter in life, filled with opportunities and fresh starts. However, amidst all the planning, packing, and decorating, it’s crucial not to overlook one essential aspect: home security. As you transition into unfamiliar surroundings, the importance of securing your new home properly can’t be overstated. 

Despite a home being one of the most important assets you’ll ever invest in, when there is such a long moving checklist, home security often falls to the bottom of the list when paintbrushes and trips to the DIY shop take over. Let’s look at the key reasons why home security should be at the top of your priorities when moving home, from changing locks, to installing advanced home security systems. In this blog, we will dive into how safeguarding your new residence not only protects your loved ones and valuable items, but also provides the peace of mind that is so important for feeling truly settled into your new home.

The risks of neglecting home security

When you move into a new home, though you will have done plenty of research when finding the house you want to settle in, there are always unknowns of a new neighbourhood. Whilst statistics may be available on crimes in the area, it is difficult to know just what the risk is until moving in and getting to know the area better.

Generally, new homeowners are considered to be at a higher risk for break-ins, particularly if they haven’t yet implemented suitable security measures. It’s also important to consider that former occupants, or others who previously had access to a property might still have keys, increasing the risks of unwanted entries.

The immediate period before and after moving in is the most critical time, as at this time of transition, the home is more likely to be left unoccupied for periods of time during move-related errands, and doors are frequently left open or unlocked when moving furniture and other belongings into the home. It can be easy to forget that doors and windows are left open when leaving to career out errands.

Key reasons to prioritise home security

Let’s look into some of the most important reasons for moving security up to the top of the to-do list when moving home.

Preventing Unauthorised Access: Changing locks is a necessity even before you fully move into a new home as it’s important to make sure that it is only you who can enter. Rather than worrying about how many keys for the current locks exist, the safest option is always to replace the locks for key entrances immediately.

Remember, if you are moving your possessions into a new home over a period of time, it can be tempting for criminals, so ensure you have taken important steps, such as changing locks and installing home security systems. You may consider upgrading existing locks to smart locks or more modern, high-security locking systems.

In addition to replacing locks, if there is an intruder alarm system in place, it’s important to reprogram it so that only you have the code, or potentially replace or upgrade your alarm systems to provide a higher level of security still.

Protecting Valuables During the Move: In the chaos of moving, your valuables can be more vulnerable. It’s important to consider taking steps to secure any valuables first when unpacking, making a note of exactly how and where they are packed, or finding a safe space for them in your new home.

Whilst it can be tempting to set up valuable items such as home entertainment technology, or place jewellery on your dressing table, so you can start to feel at home, it’s a good idea to leave these steps until you are fully moved-in and your home is sufficiently secured.

Insurance Incentives: Another key reason to prioritise security is to lower home insurance premiums. Taking steps to install high security intruder alarm systems and other security measures such as installing smart locking systems stand to reduce insurance premiums by reducing the risk of burglary or break-ins.

Technological Solutions for Enhanced Security: Moving into a new home offers the opportunity to start from scratch in many ways. When you first move in, it provides the opportunity to introduce smarter home security technologies that work well together and with other tech. Think about integrating smart technologies like wireless home security cameras, burglar alarms, smart locks and access control systems with home automation control systems.

Smart technology provides the benefits of being able to monitor your home remotely during and after the move, so there’s no time too early to smarten up your security systems.

Peace of Mind: In order to feel properly settled in a new environment, peace of mind is key. Ensuring you are doing everything you can to secure your home is crucial for settling comfortably and quickly into your place.

Practical Steps to Secure Your New Home:

If you are moving home, then we recommend following these simple steps to assess and upgrade your home security as necessary:

  1. Assess the existing security measures in place.

  2. Upgrade locks and install a new security system.

  3. Consider adding security cameras and motion sensors.

  4. Set up monitoring services for continuous protection.

  5. Regularly review and maintain security systems.

Essential Security Services

When you consider the risks, ensuring robust home security when moving to a new house isn’t just a precaution – it’s a necessity. The transition period into a new home is a very vulnerable time, making it all the more important to prioritise the safety of your property and loved ones from day one. Taking proactive steps such as changing locks and installing comprehensive security systems help to significantly mitigate any risks of burglary and intrusion.

To ensure your home is as safe and secure as possible, it’s always recommended to work with residential security professionals to ensure you are choosing the right security systems and technologies. At First Contact Fire & Security, we will walk you through the right choices to make so you can settle into your new environment without lingering worries.

Talk to us today about burglar alarm, cctv and access control systems to strengthen your home’s security. Call us on 02380 410 610 to make securing your home your top priority.