Day: November 13, 2020

Moving into your first apartment is an exciting time. However, it can also be a very stressful and busy period with so many things to buy and organize.

Luckily, with our thorough first apartment checklist, you don’t need to worry about figuring out all of these things for yourself. Read on to find out what you need to make living in your apartment a much better experience for you from day one.

Bedroom

1. Bed frame, mattress, pillows, and blankets

At the absolute minimum, you are going to need to move in with a bedframe, mattress, pillows, and bedding to lay your head down and get a good night’s rest after moving day.

Your bedroom is your haven, so making sure this room provides a bit of relief from the rest of the mess is important!

Lounge

2. Couch or seating

Even if you start off with one couch or futon and then add in a few extra chairs as you go along, just having that one is key to making your home feel like you’re living in it. Plus, it’s a space for you to unwind after a long day.

3. Coffee table and TV stand

It’s important to get a coffee table before you expand your living room with more seating. You’ll feel amiss without one, and it’s simply asking for something to be spilled should plates and glasses be placed on the ground all the time.

And while you are picking out furniture, your TV will likely need a stand unless you’ve got room to mount it on the wall.

4. TV

While it’s not completely necessary, a TV is something that you are likely going to want in your apartment at some point. Now that you have your own space, you can have movie nights, stream your favorite TV shows on Netflix, Hulu, and HBO, and attach your preferred video game console to enjoy your content on a big screen.

If you want to invite friends over or host small gatherings, there’s no question that you’ll want something like a TV that can keep them entertainment.

Kitchen

5. Kitchen essentials

You’ll find that you never truly stop adding to your kitchen repertoire, but as an overview, you’re going to need these items at the very least:

• Plates and bowls
• Cutlery
• Water glasses and mugs
• Chopping knives and a cutting board
• Pots and a frying pan
• Tin opener
• Peeler
• Corkscrew
• Spatula or cooking utensil
• Trash can

6. Kitchen appliances

If these kitchen appliances aren’t already included in your apartment, you’ll definitely want a kettle, toaster, and microwave. They’re the basic essentials for any starter kitchen.

Climate Control

7. Window AC unit and smart thermostat

If you live in an area with uncomfortably hot and humid summers, a window air conditioning unit is an investment that you need to make for your own comfort.

Of course, once you have one, it is handy to be able to control the climate remotely so that you arrive home to a cool apartment. A smart thermostat will help you create and maintain a comfortable environment from your phone or laptop.

8. Humidifier, fan, and heater

To make sure that the air you’re breathing isn’t dry and potentially damaging to your airways, purchase a humidifier for your first apartment. Pollution is an unfortunate reality, as are allergies caused by dust, pollen, and pet hair.

You will also find a fan handy for rooms where your AC unit doesn’t reach, especially if you have a bigger apartment. And if you live in a place that gets cold in the winter, heaters will help you stay toasty warm despite the outside chill.

Each of these items is portable and can be moved from room to room as you please, making them useful to fill in the gaps and keep you feeling comfortable in your apartment.

Security

9. Home security system

Even though you’ve just moved into an apartment building and being surrounded by other people comes with its own level of security, a home security system for your apartment is still a good idea.

It’s an especially good idea if you travel a lot—and it’s best not to take any chances.

A home security system is easy to install, and you can find a variety of options to suit any kind of budget or home layout.

10. Video doorbell camera and keyless deadbolt

To see exactly who you are letting into your apartment, including all of your visitors, guests, contractors, friends, and family, we recommend installing a video doorbell.

Most video doorbell cameras connect with your smartphone and will notify you that someone is at your door before they have even pushed the button.

When you combine this with a keyless deadbolt, you can let people in and out as you please even if you are away from home.

With a keyless deadbolt, you won’t have to worry about losing your keys and getting stuck outside of your apartment. You can simply enter a code or use your smartphone to open the door.

11. Door security bar, padlocks, and chain

Security is a concern in any kind of living situation, especially in an apartment building where you don’t have as much control over who comes to visit your neighbors and who can come and go on the property.

Using a door security bar is one way of preventing any kind of forced entry from happening in your first apartment. It creates another barrier to entry so that getting through the door isn’t as easy as picking a lock.

For other entry points like an outdoor garage or exterior barred gate, a padlock and chain keeps these areas securely closed. Just remember that if the entry point is shared with other people in your building, you won’t be able to use these extra security precautions without permission from your landlord—so make sure the entry points leading directly to your space are secured.

Smart Home

12. Smart lightbulbs and smart plugs

Lighting is an essential part of your home, and while you might have been content with a lamp or two before, treat yourself to an upgrade in your first apartment.

With smart lightbulbs and switches, you can control the brightness of your lights remotely. This saves power, and it also creates the perfect ambiance for a quiet night in or that dinner party you’re planning to celebrate your new place.

Smart plugs are similar in concept: the things plugged into them can be turned on and off remotely or set to a timer. Typically, smart plugs are used to power appliances such as your TV or coffee machine.

DIY

13. Basic toolkit

You might not consider yourself a DIY person, but a basic toolkit is always important to have in your first apartment, because the truth is, you’ll never know when you might need it!

A basic toolkit should include the following:

• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Box cutter
• Pliers
• Tape measure

All of these simple items will prove useful when you’re trying to open something, fix something, or measure a space in order to buy new furniture.

14. Batteries, extension cords, and plug adapters

Between the TV remote and bedroom table side lamps, you’re going to need both batteries, surge protectors, extension cords available to power things in your new place.

Keeping a variety of extension cords and plug adapters on hand is always advisable as you will probably need to figure out different setups for new appliances and devices that have different types of prongs.

The same goes for batteries. Buy a few different sizes so that you are able to power up that flashlight in the dark, change the smoke alarm batteries late at night, or replace that clock battery and not lose any time.

15. Curtain rods, curtains, fittings, and stepladder

To get a bit of privacy when you move into your new place, you’ll need to put up curtains or blinds right away, especially in your bedroom and bathroom.

Try to get measurements for curtain sizes and rail types before moving in, and go shopping beforehand so that you have everything ready to install when you move in.

A stepladder will be an essential part of putting up those curtains. Not to mention that you’ll find it handy for installing your smart lightbulbs and reaching those ceiling-height storage cupboards to throw things into during the move.

Safety

16. Flashlight and matches

It probably won’t happen often, but there might be a time when the lights go out and you need to find your way around. Or you may need to investigate what is going on in the cupboard underneath your kitchen sink.

A flashlight is so helpful in situations like these, and it’s something that you can easily store away when not in use. Be sure to purchase a model that has a long-lasting battery, especially if you don’t use it often.

Just in case you haven’t heeded our advice to get batteries and a flashlight, make sure you have some matches on hand as a final resort to light the candles should all power systems go down.

17. First-aid kit

We all know that it is important to keep a first-aid kit in our homes, but it’s surprising how often we don’t have what we need when we need it most.

Since you never know when you might cut yourself, hurt yourself accidentally, or get a headache, it’s always a good idea to keep a first-aid kit in your first apartment.

You can easily purchase a variety of premade first-aid kits available in stores and online. However, if you’d like to put a kit together yourself, here are some of the common ailments and injuries you need to be prepared for:

• Burns
• Cuts
• Scrapes
• Stings
• Splinters
• Sprains
• Strains

18. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a fire extinguisher

All apartment buildings and homes are required by Massachusetts law to have a smoke alarm installed. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors also make sure that you are protected in case of a fire or a gas leak, both of which can happen accidentally.

In the same token, should you be alerted to a fire in your apartment, you’ll need a fire extinguisher to put it out—provided it is safe to do so.

Take a look at the variety of sizes of fire extinguishers available, as what you need will depend on the size of your apartment and the types of heating and fire-prone equipment that you use.

19. Fireproof safe

When moving into your first apartment, you’ll likely have a number of small, valuable items that you’re going to want to make secure as soon as possible.

In addition to all of the other security measures you’ve taken according to this list, a fireproof safe is a perfectly discrete option for keeping all of your valuables safe.

We recommend choosing a safe that can be firmly secured in a closet or somewhere else out of sight with a decent lock and fireproof capabilities.

Cleaning

20. Vacuum, mop, detergent, and rags

You’d be surprised just how easily you can forget in the excitement of moving into a new apartment how important it is to have cleaning equipment on hand. Depending on the state of the apartment when you move in, you may need to do some cleaning before you move your furniture and boxes in.

If you’re looking to do less of the cleaning yourself, then a robot vacuum cleaner is a great purchase to make. Schedule its cleaning rounds and you won’t have to worry about dragging a vacuum through your new apartment yourself.

Other smaller but equally as important cleaning items include a mop, detergent, rags, and bucket or two.

Bathroom

21. Shower curtain, shower rack, and laundry basket

Instead of spending your time mopping up after your first deserved shower in your brand new apartment, fit the shower curtain so you can put your feet up afterward.

Similarly, having a shower rack to store all your toiletries and a laundry basket to put your worn clothes into will provide a bit of organization on what can be a tiring and stressful day.

Conclusion

Of course, all of these items can be customized to suit your particular needs, so there is a lot of leeway in finding out exactly what will suit you, depending on your living circumstances.

Once you have these essential items from our first apartment checklist, you’ll feel 100% comfortable in your new living space, knowing that you’ve taken all the measures necessary to ensure your personal well-being and safety in your new home.

Your garage is an important part of your house and often a storage place for valuables like tools, bicycles, and of course, our cars.

Add in the fact that many of us purposely or accidentally leave the door from the garage to the house unlocked, and it’s easy to see why securing your garage is one of the most important steps in securing your entire home.

10 Tips For a More Secure Garage:

1. The best thing you can do to improve your safety by simply remembering to never leave your garage door open. It’s easy to forget to close it behind you, or to leave it open when you’re casually working outside or going in and out of the house. If you habitually forget to close the garage door, consider installing a timer that will close the door automatically after a set amount of time, even if you drive away or go to bed and forget to manually close it. Many modern home security systems are compatible with garage door openers that you can activate to control your garage door when you’re not nearby.
2. Another easy way to prevent break-ins is to never keep the garage door remote inside your car, whether you’re at home or when you’re away. There are tons of ways to secure a home, but with vehicles there aren’t many affordable options. A stolen garage door remote is a simple way for someone to access your home.

   Purchase a keyfob remote from your alarm company that’s convenient and easy to keep with you, just like your other important key.

3. Keep a radio on at low volume in the garage, especially when not home. This may seem like an old trick, but many burglaries are crimes of opportunity that rely on simple indicators that a house is empty and vulnerable.

   A burglar will often move on if they even suspect someone might be home or doing something in the garage. Keeping a small radio on low gives the illusion of activity and might just be enough to make a potential burglar move on. Check out our detailed resource on simple home security tips that can keep your property safe.

4. Does your garage door have windows? If so, covering them with a frosted film or curtains is an easy way to prevent burglars from seeing inside and can reduce the likelihood of a break-in. Take the necessary steps to keep these windows secure. Overall, the less visibility a potential burglar has into your home, the better.
5. Secure the emergency garage door release. It’s as cheap and easy as a couple of zip ties and a quick internet search for a how-to lesson. Most garage doors have an emergency release located on the inside of the door which, though useful in an emergency, also create a vulnerability by allowing burglars to activate the release with a wire from outside the door, much like breaking into a car door. After securing this emergency release with zip ties, it can no longer be opened from outside, but will still function from the inside as the zip ties can be easily broken.
6. Install motion-detecting lights. Lighting that turns on when someone approaches your driveway and garage door is convenient for you and provides an added layer of safety in case someone is prowling around. Motion-activated lighting can deter potential burglars and alert you that someone is nearby.

   

7. Don’t use an exterior keypad, if possible. Many garage doors feature a security keypad on the outside of the house that can be used to open the garage door with a code. If you have one, do you know how secure it is? Can someone easily guess the entry code? What if it’s destroyed or the batteries are removed?

   As with keeping a remote in your car, it’s safest to avoid the exterior keypad and just keep a garage door remote in your bag or on your keys.

8. Install a peephole or camera with adequate lighting to grant you vision into the garage. In the event that you hear noise in your garage, having a peephole or a camera gives you the ability to see what’s going on and make informed decisions about taking further action.

   

   Remember that if the garage is dark, you won’t be able to see much, so this is where motion-sensing lights also play a role. Being able to see your garage clearly at a glance gives you added time and information in case of a break-in.
9. To protect the rest of your home in the event that someone does access your garage, treat the door from the garage to the house like any other exterior door. Lock it behind you, and make sure it’s connected to your home alarm system.

   Install a secure keyless deadbolt and don’t make a habit of leaving this door open or unlocked. This will also help better insulate your home in the colder months.

   

10. Secure your interior door against break-ins. If the door opens inward toward your house, consider installing a security device like Door Devil or Armor Concept’s Door Armor that will prevent a door from being kicked in. Just like keeping this door locked, this will ensure that the garage is your home’s first line of defense, but not the last.

Did you know that homeowner’s insurance does not cover flooding? Flooding is a leading cause of damage to homes and it is not covered by traditional homeowner’s insurance.

If you want or need flood coverage, you need to pay for it separately. If your home is in a flood plain, you probably already know this because most mortgage lenders require flood insurance to be purchased on homes that lie within floodplains.

Besides carrying homeowner’s insurance to protect your wallet from flood damages, there are several things that you can do to help protect your home from flooding.

Preparation

As we mentioned above, if your home is located in a floodplain, you should already know that and have purchased flood insurance coverage as mandated by your lender. If you are not in a floodplain, you are not required to carry this additional coverage.

Regardless of whether you have flood insurance or not, there are several things that you can do to help minimize the risk of flooding and the ensuing damage.

One of the first things that you should consider doing, especially if you live in a high-risk flood area, is to put together an emergency kit that is ready to grab and go in the event of a flood. Additionally, you will want to have an evacuation plan for you and your family.

Your emergency kit should include:

• Extra clothing for you and your family
• Insurance policy numbers as well as contact information for your adjuster
• Toiletries
• Enough cash to get you through a few days

You will also want to have an evacuation plan mapped out in the case of emergency. Plan on where you will go, who you will stay with, etc.

Flood Proofing your Home

Besides being prepared in the event of an evacuation, there are several things you can do to physically protect your home from flooding.

• Seal up any cracks in your foundation. You can purchase some very affordable mortar or masonry caulk which can be used to fill in any gaps in the foundation completely. However, if water seeping into your home is a continuous problem, you may want to look for a more permanent fix.
• Apply coatings and sealants. You can apply a sealant to your walls, windows, doorways and foundation that will help keep water from penetrating your home. These sealants can be purchased at most home retailers or hardware stores.
• Buy a battery-powered sump pump. Sump pumps are a great way to prevent flooding in your home. They work by pumping the water out to the outside and most run on electricity. This is a great solution until there is a power outage, therefore, it is best to buy one that runs on battery power (and be sure to keep it charged up!)
• Relocate your expensive or sentimental items to higher ground. If you have a multiple story home and flood waters are coming, moving your valuables to the second of third floor will help to protect them if damaging flood waters are able to breach your first floor.
• Install a flood sensor. Most home security systems offer flood sensors as add-on equipment. These devices detect small leaks before they can cause significant damage, saving you potentially thousands of dollars.
• Have sewer or septic line check valves installed. These allow waste to be able to flow only one way which protects against sewage flooding your home. You can have a professional install these or go the DIY route.
• Keep your electrical outlets and switches raised. All electrical equipment should be at least one foot above flood level to help reduce the risk of electrical damage.
• Have your lawn graded away from your home. If your lawn is tilted towards your house, this allows rain water to pool there and have a better chance of seeping in. If you are unsure of how to grade your lawn, hire a professional.

In addition to these tips, you should also make sure that appliances in your home are raised above the flood level as well. Water heaters, washing machines, air conditioners, etc. should all be raised above flood level, especially if they are in your basement. This can be as simple as putting your appliances up on cinder blocks to keep them off ground level.

How to Minimize Damage from Flooding

Sometimes, no matter how prepared your home is, flooding is imminent. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to help minimize the damage.

• Be sure that your gutters and drains are clear to allow water to run freely through them
• Utilize sand bags to block any gaps that could lead to flooding
• If flood water rises enough where it is close to reaching your electric panel, shut it off to prevent electrical damage
• Open up windows and door (if it is not raining) to allow air to circulate through your home and dry things out
• Make sure your sump pump is turned on and in good running condition
• Take photos and videos of any flooding in your home to show to your insurance adjuster, assuming you have flood insurance coverage.

When More Serious Measures are Needed

If your home is flooding frequently and you are finding yourself having to constantly pay for maintenance, consider investing in home renovations to fix the root of the problem.

A professional contractor should be able to come to your home and assess your home’s issues and determine the best ways to protect it from flooding. As long as you are prepared, you can take care of flooding issues before they get out of hand.