Secure the ways into the home
Account for exterior keys, garage remotes, gate credentials, keypad codes, and any smart-lock access left by prior occupants. Follow HOA or property rules where they apply.
- Confirm every exterior door and window closes and locks.
- Change or rekey locks when appropriate.
- Reset garage, gate, and alarm access with the authorized system owner.
- Keep one safe backup entry plan.
Find critical controls without experimenting
Label the homeowner-accessible water shutoff and electrical panel only after confirming what each control does. Do not open sealed meter equipment, touch exposed wiring, force a damaged valve, or reset a breaker that repeatedly trips.
- Locate the main water shutoff.
- Locate the electrical panel and confirm its directory.
- Identify GFCI outlets and use their built-in test instructions.
- Ask a qualified professional about damaged, warm, sparking, leaking, or unfamiliar equipment.
Test alerts and prepare for an interruption
Confirm smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms are present where required, follow the manufacturer's test and replacement instructions, and save provider outage contacts before an emergency.
- Test alarms using their test controls.
- Check alarm age and battery instructions.
- Bookmark the confirmed electric outage map.
- Keep flashlights and a basic emergency kit accessible.