tips ...

First Days In Your New Home.
Obtain your local fire, police and emergency numbers.  This includes hospitals, doctors and utility companies.  Share these numbers with all the members of your family.

Call the city find out when garbage is collected and what type of garbage is collected.  Is there recycling?  Is there special days for grass or heavy debris?

Introduce your new home to everyone in the family. Show them how to operate all locks and doors. How to open all windows.  Show them the special ways that a closet or pull down ladder or garage door is operated.

Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Make sure everyone hears them so there is no question as to what the sound is and what it means.

If there is a security system installed show everyone how to operate it.  Change the security code.  If there is a security service have the previous homeowner together with you switch over all passwords.  Have all door locks changed or re-keyed.  Even the previous owner can forget that one time someone outside the family had the key for a special reason.

Locate main water and gas valves. Demonstrate and explain what each valve is for.  Tag each valve and in simple words state which way is on and off.  This also applies to all gas appliances and water heaters.

Locate your main electric service panel.  Identify the main breaker or fuse. This is used to shut off the electric to the entire house if needed. 

The most important develop two escape routes to be used in case of fire. Have fire extinguishers on every level in the home.  Purchase any equipment (ladders etc) needed to facilitate all escape routes.