Whether buying or renting, when you move into a new property you’re most likely just one of many people who have lived there over 
the years. And that means there are some safety (and hygiene) issues that should be addressed as soon as finish moving into a new place.
Here is a quick rundown:
- Change the locks
- Increase security by adding longer screws into exterior door hinges and strike plates
- Reset garage door opener codes
- Purchase new fire extinguishers
- Changes air conditioning and heating filters
- Refrigerator water filters
- Replace smoke detector batteries
- Replace toilet seats
The list begins with a basic safety measure that could be the only thing standing between you and a home invasion:
Change the locks and keys. One of the first things you should do when moving into a new home is to change the locks. You never know how many previous residents (or their family/friends) might have a key.
Previous owners/tenants could have been handing them to people you don’t want to access your home. If you are renting, do not replace the locks or keys without speaking to your landlord. The rules about changing the locks might be addressed in your lease and should be discussed with your landlord. At the very least, you will need to provide them with a copy of the key. You will also want to save the original locks and keys in case the landlord wants to use them in the future.
You can switch to the smart electronic code-style locks. They are more expensive but totally worth it. You can set a code for a service person or someone who needs one-time access and then immediately change it at no cost. Makes going out for walks or biking nice too since you don’t need to bring keys.
Check the strike plates and hinges. Screws that come with lock kits and hinges are short and offer little security protection. Buying longer screws and replacing them is easy. You will want to use an electric drill for this task. Installing longer screws in the door jam makes kicking in the door that much harder to do. You want to use screws long enough to go through the door jam and into the studs.
Reset your garage door openers. Anyone can have an old remote to your garage. You don’t have to buy new remotes, but that is best. If your budget is tight, you can reprogram the remotes you already have . Keep in mind continuing to use old remotes means anyone who programmed the frequency to their car will still be able to open the garage door. Buying new remotes is more expensive, but worth it.
Purchase new fire extinguishers. Confirm the one you have is rated for an actual fire. Make sure everyone in the home knows where they are and how to use them.
Change air conditioning/heating filters. Most people forget to change their AC/heating filters and they can get very dirty over time. Swapping them out for fresh filters means you will be breathing much easier in your new home.
Replace the water filter in your refrigerator. This is also something people often forget to change over time. The ones you can purchase at local big box hardware stores can be pricey. Look on Amazon for a generic filter that works exactly like the original but for far less money.
Replace smoke detector batteries. This tip is one that is often overlooked. If the smoke detectors are old or discolored then replace them altogether. If they need to be replaced and you are renting, discuss this with your landlord. Having properly operating smoke detectors is part of being in code compliance with local city laws.
Change the toilet seats. This last tip is more about hygiene than safety, but it makes sense. We all know toilets are not that clean to begin with. Toilet seats can be purchased relatively inexpensively and should be changed out for all toilets in the home.