Transitions can be difficult. We see families do it all of the time. To make it easier for you, here are some tips for settling into your new home.
KNOW YOUR SAFETY FEATURES
If your new home came with safety features such as an alarm system, it’s important for you to figure it out before you settle in for the night. Reset it, set it up, and then test it out. Do it as many times as you have to, so you feel comfortable with it.
Don’t hesitate to call the alarm system manufacturer if you need help resetting it. It may take some extra time, but it will be worth the frustration.
It’s also important to know where all of the fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke detectors are in the house. Be sure they are working or ready for use.
You can also look over the circuit breaker, so you can become familiar with it if you end up needing to turn anything off. You should know where the water shut-off is too. You never know when you may have an emergency and knowing where everything is will keep you from dealing with too much damage.
CLEAN THOROUGHLY
Before you start unpacking your things, it’s best to clean everything. Even if professional cleaners cleaned the place, you will likely find they didn’t do as good of a job as you would do. It will make you feel better if you do it over. Go ahead and wipe down everything with disinfectant. You will then feel like it’s ready for all of your germs rather than covered in other people’s germs.
MOVE THROUGH THE BOXES WITH PURPOSE
Unpack the boxes with the most needed items first. Start with the kitchen, so you can start to cook. Move on to the bedroom, so you have your clothes and sleeping needs. You can then move on to other rooms such as the living room and dining room. This way you’ll be able to live in your home as you unpack, which will make your first days much easier to deal with.
ORGANIZE PAPERWORK FROM THE MOVE
You probably have all of the paperwork from the move just piled on top of each other. Once you feel you’ve had a good start with the unpacking, go ahead and start going through your moving paperwork. Purchase some folders or a binder with different sections. You can then place paperwork in different sections to help you find what you need later.
EXPLORE THE COMMUNITY
Your home isn’t the only new thing about your life, the community is too. Take some time to walk around the community, meet new neighbors, and visit some area shops or businesses. It will help you feel much better about your move if you can start to experience the culture around you.
RELAX AND MAKE IT A HOME
The best thing about a home is relaxing in it. Even if you still have unpacking to do, go ahead and relax. Sit back on your couch, look around, and take it all in. You are in your new home and you’re going to start making a lot of memories in it. Smile…