You've been through the rigors of mortgage applications, stressful negotiations, what felt like the never-ending closing process, and the physical and emotional demands of moving into your new house. While you look forward to the fun part of getting your house together, it's important to make the safety of your family a priority by protecting against potential fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and break-ins.

Fire is the second leading cause of unintentional death in the home, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Nearly 3,200 people die in residential fires each year, and there are more than 390,000 residential fires reported to fire departments.

Once you move into your new house, replace the batteries in the smoke alarms and make sure they're working properly.

Although 90 percent of homes in the United States have smoke alarms installed, the CPCS says that typically about 20 percent of those are not working because the battery is dead or missing.

"Smoke alarms can save lives, but they won't work if they are not maintained," CPSC Chairwoman Ann Brown said last year during the daylight-saving time campaign urging Americans to change their batteries. "They should be tested monthly, and the batteries should be replaced at least once a year or when they make a "chirping" sound."

Once you determine your smoke detector is operating properly, carefully study the floor plan of your house and devise an emergency escape plan.

Meanwhile, it's also important to install a carbon monoxide detector if your new house doesn't have one. Every year more than 200 Americans die from carbon monoxide produced by fuel-burning appliances, including furnace, ranges, water heaters, and room heaters.

Carbon monoxide poisoning triggers flu-like symptoms -- headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness.

The CPSC recommends you install appliances according to the manufacturer's instructions and local building codes. You should also have your heating system -- including chimneys and vents -- inspected and serviced annually. Be sure the inspector checks your chimney and flue for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.

The second thing you should do is install a carbon monoxide detector/alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL standard 2034 or the IAS 6-96 standard. Install the alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home.

Meanwhile, the FBI says that three out of four houses will be burglarized in the next four years, and that the average property loss is more than $1,000.

Some 28 percent of burglaries are made without force, meaning through an open door or window, which underscores the importance of locking your doors and windows, even if you're only away for five minutes.

Of the 1.2 million burglaries that occur each year, many are avoidable. In fact, nine out of 10 home break-ins could have been prevented if homeowners knew how to burglarproof their homes, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

So as you unpack, you should also do everything you can to thwart would-be burglars, including:

Published: September 15, 2003

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