Tiny homes offer many benefits in urban settings. They can provide more privacy than apartment living offers and can also help to reduce the high cost of living in some highly populated urban areas. Tiny homes may be small but they’re still a significant financial investment, so it’s well worth putting some money and effort into protecting your tiny home.
Before you buy or move into a tiny home, here are some important steps to take to protect and secure that home, just like you would do with a larger house.
Look for Safety Issues
Keeping your tiny home safe starts when you move in. Before you spend your first night in your home, look for common safety issues like the lack of smoke detectors or carbon monoxide alarms. It’s best to buy all new alarms when you move in and install smoke detectors near the ceiling. You’ll want your carbon monoxide detector to be located near the area where you sleep. Test all of your alarms to make sure they’re functioning and test them regularly in the future, too.
When moving into a tiny home, put fire extinguishers on your shopping list and place them in your home right away. Place fire extinguishers so that they’re in high-risk areas of your home, like right by your kitchen stove, by your fireplace, and by your washer and dryer. Buy new fire extinguishers when you move in and periodically check them to make sure that they’re fully charged and ready to go to use if you should ever need them.
Do a careful walk-through of your home and make sure that it’s well-constructed. Look for issues like loose steps or loose rocks or pavers in the walkway. Familiarize yourself with how the tiny house works, including how to operate the heat, stove, and plumbing. The more you know about your tiny house, the faster you’ll be able to identify if something isn’t working as it should.
Winterize Your Home
With winter approaching, it becomes even more important to care for your tiny home and prevent safety problems. Properly taking care of your home before winter can help to keep you and your family safe. Clean up your yard before winter and trim back any trees and hedges so that they don’t fall onto your home during a storm.
One of the most important winter prep tips is to have your furnace serviced before the cold weather arrives. A professional furnace cleaning can help keep it functioning well, saving you money on your heating bills. It’s also important to have your chimney cleaned if you have one. This maintenance can help reduce the risk of fire in your tiny home.
If you have a clothes dryer, make cleaning your dryer vent output part of your fall home maintenance routine. If your dryer vent becomes too clogged with lint, your dryer won’t perform efficiently and can even start a fire. You’ll need to clean the vent at least once a year, and you can either tackle this project yourself or hire a professional. While you’re focused on this task, verify how high the vent output is positioned above the ground. If you receive heavy snowfall, you may need to clear the snow away from the vent to keep it working properly through the winter.
Invest in a Security System
If you live in a tiny house community or other urban area, you may be worried about break-ins to your home. Installing a smart home security system can help discourage thieves from trying to access your home. These versatile security systems can be modified for homes of many sizes, and because your home is so small, you’ll need limited equipment, which can save you money.
Smart home security systems are available in many DIY options, and you can make them as simple or as complex as you’d like. With everything from door, window, and motion sensors to security cameras, you can create the security system that works for your home. You can often pair your security system with smart smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors for enhanced safety for your family. Most of these smart systems are available with monitored service, or you can opt for a self-monitored service to save some money.
In addition to your security system, consider investing in small metal storage lockers to store your valuables. Storage lockers don’t just offer security but also provide a practical storage option, which is always in-demand in your tiny home. Alternatively, you might buy a small fire-proof safe to keep your valuables protected in case of fire.
Whether you’re living in a tiny home in a more secluded area or want to increase your home’s security while residing in a busy tiny home park, there are plenty of ways to make your home safe and secure. By putting a few of these tips to use, you and your family can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home is safe and well-protected.
Image Source: Pixabay
“…like right by your kitchen stove”
Actually, you should not place fire extinguishers next to your stove because that could result in having to reach around or through a fire to access the extinguisher.