May is "National Moving Month". In honor of the month and as a part of their ongoing commitment to keep consumers safe through all life stages, Master Lock is sharing safety precautions and useful products for moving and settling into a new residence during May. Even though the Wigglesworth clan is not planning a move just yet, this is information I will be referring back to when the time is right!  

Master Lock recommends these 5 safety measures when moving and adjusting to your new residence:

Secure All Valuables- Whether you're moving your own belongings, or have hired movers, it's important to pack all valuables in enclosed, secured containers. For fragile or breakable items, use an added layer of protection, such as bubble wrap or shredded newspaper. In the midst of moving mayhem, remember to lock your trailer with a Master Lock 379DAT Universal Trailer Coupler Lock that resists picking and prying when not in use or in between trips to avoid possible theft. 

Inventory Personal Belongings- Label your boxes by room, number, or color-code, and create a list of items in each box. This will keep your personal possessions organized for when you begin the unpacking process. When you arrive at your new home, make sure to check each list to ensure all your belongings made it safely and securely. Investing in a Sentry Safe SFW123TTC Extra Large Digital Alarm Fire Safe will assure your most important valuables remain safeguarded and protected as you settle into your home. While you have heavy foot traffic between movers, cable providers, and other vendors setting up your new space, this Sentry Safe Extra Large Digital Alarm Fire Safe's loud alarm will quickly alert you if there is suspected tampering. 

Install New Exterior Locks- Less than half * of U.S.and Canadian residents changed or re-keyed the locks on their new home. As a major safety precaution, you should change all the exterior locks on your new home either before or when you move in. Previous tenants, realtors, and other unsuspected people may have keys to the current locks. Replacing these old locks with new ones, such as the Master Lock BCCO0615 Entry Door Lock with Single Cylinder Deadbolt will provide additional security with peace of mind, and ensure you are the only person who has access to your home. 

*47%, according to a March 2015 Safety and Security Survey of 1500+ U.S. and Canadian residents conducted by Master Lock via SurveyMonkey

Change of Address- Before officially moving into your new home, make sure to visit your local post office or visit usps.com to fill out a change of address form. To avoid unintentionally giving strangers access to your personal information, such as billing statements, credit card offers, and insurance information, change your address before your move. 

Explore Your Neighborhood- Once you've settled in, make sure to familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood. Take a bike ride to meet your neighbors, locate the police and fire stations, and find your local park district.Don't forget to lock up with the Master Lock 8127TRI Keyed Cable Lock while exploring your new surroundings. 

Now, although we are not moving yet, we will be doing some home improvement projects, including replacing our front door. I'm not sure how old our current front door is, but I can tell you it's been the front door since we bought the house (almost 14 years ago) and it's time for a change!