The First-Week Priorities
In your first week, change or rekey every exterior lock, audit all entry points, improve exterior lighting, and set up professional monitoring so you are protected from the start. Add cameras at the front and rear, and check whether your municipality requires alarm registration. Done early, this turns a new house into a secure home before you have even unpacked the kitchen.
NetSecure360 is a local authorized ADT dealer in Camp Hill, and setting up home security for new Harrisburg homeowners is one of the most common things we do. Work through the six steps below, and lean on us for the parts that need a professional.
The 6-Step New Home Security Checklist
Change or rekey every exterior lock
You cannot know how many old keys are floating around with previous owners, agents, contractors, or neighbors. Rekey or replace all exterior locks before your first night if you can. This is the single highest-impact first move.
Walk and audit every entry point
Check the front door, back door, garage, sliding patio doors, and all ground-floor and basement windows. Note anything that does not lock securely. These are the points a system should protect first.
Light up the exterior
Dark entries and blind corners invite trouble. Add or upgrade exterior lighting at doors, the garage, and the driveway. Smart lighting that runs on a schedule makes an occupied home obvious even when you travel.
Set up professional monitoring
A monitored system means a trained agent responds to alarms 24/7 and can dispatch help even when you cannot. Setting this up early protects you from your first week in the home, not months later once you finally get around to it.
Add cameras at key angles
A video doorbell plus at least one rear-facing camera covers the entry points most burglaries use. Cameras add deterrence, evidence, and a live view of your new property from anywhere.
Check local alarm registration
Some Harrisburg-area municipalities require you to register a monitored alarm. Handle it early so you are covered. NetSecure360 helps new customers sort this out as part of the install.
New to the area? Start with a free home assessment
We walk your new home, map the entry points that matter, and design a system that fits how you actually live. No pressure, no obligation.
Get a Free QuoteWhy the First Week Is the Right Time
It is easy to tell yourself you will get to security later, once the boxes are unpacked and life settles down. The problem is that later tends to stretch into months. The first week is when you are already scheduling utilities, learning the house, and meeting neighbors, which makes it the natural moment to lock down the basics. Get it done now and it is one less thing hanging over you.
If you are renting rather than buying, the same priorities apply with lease-friendly equipment. See home security for renters and apartments in Harrisburg. And for everyday habits that keep your new home secure, our 10 home security tips for Harrisburg homeowners is a quick read. New to the whole topic? Start with the Harrisburg home security buyer's guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing to do for security after moving into a new home?
Change or rekey the locks. You have no idea how many copies of the old keys are out there with previous owners, contractors, cleaners, or neighbors. Rekeying or replacing exterior locks is the fastest, highest-impact first step, ideally before your first night in the home.
Should I install a security system right after buying a house?
It is one of the best times. You are already setting up utilities and learning the home, and a professional installer can assess your entry points while everything is fresh. Setting up monitoring early means you are protected from the start rather than putting it off for months.
What entry points are most important to secure in a new home?
Start with the front door, back door, and ground-floor or basement windows, the most common entry points. Also check garage doors, sliding patio doors, and secondary entrances. A professional assessment maps every vulnerable point so nothing gets overlooked.
Does NetSecure360 install systems in newly purchased Harrisburg homes?
Yes. We are a local authorized ADT dealer based in Camp Hill and regularly set up new homeowners across the Harrisburg and South Central PA area. We assess your new home, design the right system, and install and configure everything in one visit. Call (717) 256-1110 to schedule.
How quickly can a new home be set up with monitoring?
A standard installation for a typical home is often done in a single visit, frequently within a few hours. After placement, configuration, and testing, your system is active and connected to 24/7 monitoring before the technician leaves. Contact us for a timeline for your specific home.
Welcome to the neighborhood. Let's secure your new home.
NetSecure360 is your local authorized ADT dealer in Camp Hill, PA. We help new Harrisburg-area homeowners go from moving boxes to fully monitored in a single visit.
Serving Harrisburg, Camp Hill, and surrounding South Central PA communities.