Moving to Dallas? Home Security Tips From Professional Locksmith

One of the most challenging and frustrating things we do in our lives is moving house. Sometimes we move for a better job or a change of scenery which is excellent in the long run, but the move itself is a significant hassle. You have to prepare so much and remember everything necessary that needs to be done. 

By the time the moving day ends, all you want to do is climb into your bed and sleep for a year. That is as long as you can find it amongst all the boxes. In all seriousness, you can take some critical actions that can make your old and new home secure and safe during a move.

Research

When moving house, you typically do extensive research. You research new neighborhoods, school districts, locale, and dwellings. Along with this research, you also want to spend a great deal of time researching who will assist you in your move.

Depending on the amount of stuff you have, you may choose to use a professional mover versus doing it yourself. While doing it yourself guarantees that you are the only one to handle your belongings, it can be much more complicated than hiring outside assistance. 

If you choose to use a professional mover, make sure to do your research. You are entrusting this company with almost everything you own, so you want to make sure you are hiring a reliable and honest professional. Research your options online, and be sure to read reviews from real customers. Also, make sure to inquire with the moving company if they are licensed and insured.

Lastly, make sure that the company you choose is equipped to help you. Some companies may not have the workforce needed to move from or to a building with many stairs. Another thing to consider is any specialty items that need to be moved, such as pianos or exceptionally fragile items. If you have these, you will need to ask the moving company if they have the proper equipment required to move such things.

Do What You Can Yourself

While it may seem helpful to have the moving company pack or clean for you, it is not the most secure. Not only will you not know how your items are packed, but you are also giving full access to your home and belongings to someone who could easily take something without you knowing. For this reason, you will want to do all the packing yourself. It will take more time and thought but guarantees the security of your possessions.

In this same idea, you will want to complete whatever tasks possible on your own rather than contracting them out to others. This means cleaning your old and new home yourself versus hiring a cleaner or fixing any minor problems in either home versus having it repaired—the fewer people in your home during a move, the better. Many things happen all at once during a movement, making it easier for criminals to take what they want. When you notice something is missing in your new home, it is too late. To prevent this, do everything you can on your own.

Pack Smart

When moving, you can save yourself a lot of headaches by being innovative in the way you pack. Also, if you pack smartly, you can easily deter intruders or thieves. So, how do you pack smart? Well, there are many different tips to follow to fill smartly.

First, when packing, make sure you label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. Not only will this make it much easier to find what you need in the new house, but it will also help you know if something is missing. Also, keep a running count of how many boxes you have and label each box with a number, so you can easily see if one isn’t there.

Another way to pack smart is not to make it obvious. You don’t want to advertise to potential intruders that you are moving. Intruders know a move is a time to get an easy score since everything is hectic. Don’t allow your home to fall prey to this. Keep your blinds and curtains closed as you pack. On moving day, try to load the van from the side of your home without leaving piles of boxes outside your home.

The same goes for your new home. Unload your boxes in the least conspicuous way possible. Make sure to have window coverings in your new home and use them until you finish unpacking everything. Also, avoid piling up boxes near the street, making it easy for theft to occur.

Be Prepared

Being prepared for a move is by far the best thing you can do to combat the hectic and frustrating moving process. If you are ready beforehand, everything happens smoother and more manageable. The first step in being prepared is to make sure your new home is prepared to be moved in.

Any work or repairs that need to be done should be done before moving in. Not only is this easier because you won’t have workers trying to complete tasks around all of your boxes, but it is also more secure. When all the work is completed before you move in, a potentially unscrupulous worker cannot access your belongings.

The second step in being prepared is to ensure your new home is secure. This means having any locks that need changing replaced and any broken window locks fixed. You want to make sure the home you are moving into is as safe and secure as your previous home. There are other things to consider about the safety of your new home. Assess the outdoor lighting and see if it provides you with the security you need. If not, maybe look into getting a security camera with motion-activated lighting; that way, it will catch anyone trying to sneak in.

The last step in being prepared is to make sure you are at your best on moving day. Moving day is often an exciting day, and it is easy to want to stay up all night completing last-minute preparations, but we urge you to avoid this. The best way to ensure the security and safety of your move is for you to be vigilant and focused on the task at hand. This is impossible to do if you are drowsily nursing a cup of coffee. So, make sure to get a good night’s rest and dress comfortably. This will make your move go so much easier. 

Be Vigilant

The next tip is to be vigilant. Remember that if you are using a professional mover, you allow them full access to both your homes and your belongings. It is imperative to keep a close eye on the movers. Never leave your boxes unsupervised. The best place for you to stay is right beside the moving van to supervise the containers being loaded in or out. Remember to keep a count of how many boxes are being transported. This way, you will see if something is missing or mishandled your items.

Any boxes that contain valuables, sentimental belongings, or important documents should not be loaded onto a van. Keep these items with you. You don’t want to risk losing anything of utmost importance to you.

Be Friendly

The last tip we have is to get to know your new neighbors. It is not only lovely to get to know people in your new neighborhood, but it is also beneficial for your security. When you have a friendly relationship with your neighbors, you can rely on them to notify you if they see something suspicious happening at your home or even monitor your home for you when you are away.

We hope these tips will help you have a more accessible, more secure, and seamless move. We here at ASAP Locksmith Dallas care deeply about your safety and security. If you would like assistance in preparing for a secure move or having your locks changed, please give us a call. We are here to help!