Childproofing a New Home: The Parent’s Safety Sweep

Congratulations on Your NYC Move!

You’ve successfully managed to move your family from your old place into your new home. Whether you did this alone or with the help of NYC full-service movers, it’s a big accomplishment. Now it’s time to celebrate and start settling in. An important job that has to be completed right away, especially if you have small children, is to do what’s called a safety sweep.

Secure Your Home

During the chaos of moving, it’s easy to lose track of whether or not a window or door is open. Going around and checking that the home is physically secure is smart. Make sure to pay special attention to garage and side entrances – you don’t want an exploring toddler to discover they can get outside on their own! While you’re securing your home, make sure all window and door locks are functioning properly.

Check Outside Areas

As part of your safety sweep, go out on the porch, balcony, or deck that’s attached to your new place. You want to make sure this area is free of any hazards. Check the railings and handrails to be 100% sure they are secure. Any outdoor or security lights should be functioning properly: this will help you establish peace of mind as you get settled in your new place.

Make Sure Stairs are Safe

Inside your new place, pay careful attention to staircases. They need to be free from any debris. Make sure the carpeting is secure, or if the stairs are not carpeted, that the stairs are not slippery. Plan on helping small children with the stairs as needed, and make sure baby gates are in place starting from day one.

Lock Up Dangerous Items

To protect small children and even pets, install safety latches or locks so they can’t access dangerous items such as knives or cleaning products. If you don’t have safety latches yet, make sure to place potentially hazardous items out of reach or behind locked doors while you’re unpacking.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Make sure smoke detectors and your carbon monoxide detector are in place and working. Dust can interfere with the sensors, so make sure they are clean. If they aren’t working, they may need new batteries. In addition to having a working smoke alarm, you should also have a fire extinguisher. If you can’t locate one, make a note to purchase one as soon as possible.

We know that the first day in your new place can be overwhelming. Taking the time it needs to do a safety sweep is well worth it. When the kids are settled down, having done the safety sweep means you can truly relax after a long and busy day!

Local Moving Company Shleppers Makes Moves Safe and Efficient

The best way to make sure your move is injury-free is to hire a professional moving company. When you hire Shleppers, you can relax knowing you’re working with a company that has been conducting moves for over 40 years. That means we know how to be efficient while also following proper safety procedures. For more information on how we can help, call us today at 800-847-4537 or fill out a free no-obligation quote here.