Set up your new address everywhere

 

 

Now that you’re in your new digs, people need to be able to find you!

Make sure to notify your friends, family, employer, and creditors. Don't forget to set up mail forwarding from your old post office if you haven't already.

Insurance

 

 

You probably set up your homeowner's insurance when you purchased. Great! You may have set up your flood insurance as well but if not, make sure you pay annually and not lapse in coverage!

 

Also, don't forget your car insurance! Make sure and check to confirm that your car insurance is sufficient for your new location.

 

It's also a good idea to take pictures of your belongings to create a home inventory for your contents coverage.

Get to know your new home

 

 

In case of emergency, you definitely need to know where everything is in your new home!

 

First, the main water shut-off valve — sometimes this is in the garage. Sometimes it’s in the basement or crawl space. Make sure you know how to shut off your water in case a faucet breaks or a sink starts leaking.

 

Next, find the circuit box and make sure your switches are well-labeled.

 

Find the gas shut-off valve, if applicable. During a natural disaster, the first directive is often to shut off the gas, so it’s super important to know where the gas shutoff valve is. If at some point you smell gas in the house and need to shut it off, you don’t want to have to go searching for the valve while your house fills with gas.

Safety

 

 

Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.

 

Place fire extinguishers in the house — there should be one in the kitchen and one on each floor of the house.

 

Set up an emergency kit and place it somewhere you’ll remember.

It should include:

-A three-day supply of non-perishable food (don’t forget pet food, too!)

-A manual can opener

-utensils (spoons, forks, etc. Plastic or not)
-One gallon of water per person per day, and more if you have pets
-A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
-A first aid kit
-Flashlight
-Batteries
-Prescription and non-prescription medications
-Cash, preferably in small bills
-A change of clothing for each person

-Feminine supplies
-Matches
-Fire extinguisher