You're settled There is no better time than now to make your home safe and to develop a plan of action for your family to follow if something does occur. Examine the filters in your furnace or central air system. Furnace and air filters need to be replaced every three months to prevent damage. Check to be sure your home has several fire extinguishers. If not, purchase additional units. At minimum, place extinguishers in the kitchen, basement, and garage Check to be sure your new home has smoke detectors. If not, place detectors in the kitchen, hallway, and bedrooms. Batteries should be replaced every three months, so you may want to have spare batteries on hand. Make sure your new home has a carbon monoxide detector. These can be either plug-in or battery operated. Know where your electrical box is and have your inspector or the previous homeowner give you a review of the breakers. If the breakers are not marked by room, label them now- before you need service. If your new home has an older water heater, wrap the water heater in insulation to keep energy costs low. Or consider replacing the water heater with an energy-efficient unit Refrigerators need cleaning on the inside AND outside. Every six months, pull the refrigerator away from the walls, and clean the coils with a soft vacuum brush. Keeping the coils clean will extend the life of your refrigerator. A well-stocked first-aid kit is a must. Keep one in the kitchen and one in your car If you're moving into an older home, chances are many people have keys to the locks. Play it safe. Install new locks on all exterior doors. Make sure locks have deadbolts. Check window locks and replace any that are broken or not secure. Add outdoor motion-detector lights to give you a safe and well-lit area. Check your doors and windows for drafts. A good storm door can reduce drafts and cold air and, in turn, keep your energy bill down. A programmable thermostat will help you keep your home's temperature even and comfortable - and your energy bill down as well. Make sure you have several flashlights (with fresh batteries) stored in different rooms in case of a power outage. Be sure to clean gutters twice or year to insure proper water drainage. Clogged gutters can cause water damage. Consider gutter guards to make this job easier.