Purchasing a new home is a very exciting event, but once people close on the deal and move in, many forget to take some simple measures to ensure that the house is as safe as possible. Taking a little bit of time to do several things can protect you and your family for years to come.

Re-Key All of the Locks

You'll receive a set of keys for your new house at closing, but you have no way of knowing if you are in the possession of the only keys for your home. The previous owners may have forgotten to turn over all copies, or they may have given copies to friends, family members, contractors or a cleaning company. To ensure the safety of your home, it is in your best interest to hire a locksmith to re-key each exterior lock. Re-keying locks is typically less expensive than replacing every lock in your home, and it is a lot easier than removing the old locks and installing new ones.

Talk with a locksmith from a business like Irvine Lock & Key if you have specific questions about re-keying or installing new locks.

Purchase Fire Extinguishers

It is always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher in the house for the safety of you and your family, and the best place to put one is likely in the kitchen as it will be easily accessible in the event of a fire while cooking. If you have a multi-level home, keep a fire extinguisher on each floor. Every family member should know where a fire extinguisher is located and how to use it in the case of an emergency.

Check All Smoke Detectors

As soon as you move in, it is a good idea to check each smoke detector in the home to ensure that it is in good working order. It is recommended that you have a smoke detector in each room of your house, so if you have one or more rooms without one you should have additional smoke detectors installed. If your house has a gas stove, gas clothes dryer or gas heat, you may want to invest in upgrading the smoke detectors in your home to models that also have carbon monoxide detectors.

Activate Your Alarm System

A home alarm system doesn't just help protect your belongings from burglars, it can also keep your family safe in the event of a home invasion. If your new house is not already wired for an alarm system, most companies can set up a whole new alarm system for an affordable fee.