Holiday Gifts for New Homeowners

Thoughtful gifts for new homeowners can be more than something to unwrap. According to FEMA, every dollar spent on loss-mitigation reduces future losses by an average of $6, so the right gift can be both meaningful and impactful. 

This season, we’ve compiled a holiday gift guide with 11 smart, practical gifts for new homeowners, each designed to help protect their home and the people they love. From simple safety devices to helpful upgrades, these gifts offer peace of mind long after the holidays.  

1. TING: STOP ELECTRICAL FIRES BEFORE THEY START

Every 10 minutes, a family is affected by an electrical fire. Between 2015 and 2019, electrical failures or malfunctions were responsible for 13% of U.S. home structure fires.  Ting is a plug-in sensor and fire prevention service that detects electrical hazards before a fire starts and provides a $1,000 repair credit for Ting-identified fire hazards. Whether your loved one has owned their home for two weeks or 20 years, they’ll appreciate the peace of mind that Ting fire prevention provides. Ting is currently available for most Louisiana and Virginia SageSure customers. Your free offer includes; Ting sensor that plugs into any outlet, Ting app with real-time hazard alerts, and two years of fire prevention service backed by Ting’s world-class fire safety team. Interested policyholders can log into their online SageSure account to determine eligibility, confirm contact information, and review the user agreement.

Ting Electrical Fire Prevention Sensor and Service – Get Ting

2. FIRE BLANKET: PUT OUT SMALL FIRES FAST

A small house fire can become uncontrollable in 30 seconds or less. Fire blankets can stop small flames quickly, keeping your loved ones safe and potentially saving them thousands of dollars in damages 
 
Emergency Fire Blanket – Prepared Hero

3. SMART SMOKE ALARM: GET ALERTS ON YOUR PHONE

Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 60%, according to the National Fire Protection Association Yet, many people are unaware that smoke detectors have an average lifespan of 10 years before they need to be replaced. Smart smoke alarms often come with optional fire dispatch services and can alert you to a fire through a connected app on your phone if you’re away from home, making this a perfect gift for commuters, travelers, and anyone who finds themselves asking, “Did I turn the oven off?” This alarm even offers seamless Ring App integration. 
 
Ring Smart Smoke + CO Alarm, Hardwired with 2 AA Backup Battery

4. FIRE EXTINGUISHER: FIRE SAFETY MEETS STYLE

Approximately one in four U.S. households lack a fire extinguisher. Since cooking is the leading cause of home fires, keeping one in the kitchen is essential. Often, fire extinguishers are tucked away under a sink or in a cabinet, making them difficult to find when seconds matter. A fire extinguisher that’s designed to be seen can add a fun pop of color to any kitchen. With dozens of designs to choose from, and even custom options available, Chic Fire offers a new way to give your loved ones something both practical and beautiful.  

Designer Fire Extinguishers by CHIC FIRE and Safe-T

5. SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM: CUSTOMIZE A HOME SECURITY PACKAGE

A home security system can be built slowly over time, adding additional devices like cameras and motion sensors as the budget allows, or purchased all at once as a package. Getting your loved ones started with a home security system not only helps to deter would-be burglars, it can also provide a means of monitoring damage to the home in real time. Strategically placed cameras can help homeowners check their roof for storm damage, allowing them to respond quicker and avoid further losses. Whether it’s a complete security system, or just the start of a customized package, home security devices make great gifts for any homeowner, especially those who spend a significant amount of time away from their homes. 

Home Security Packages by SimpliSafe

6. HAND CRANK RADIO: STAY INFORMED DURING OUTAGES

When power outages strike, especially during a storm, this hand crank radio provides access to critical updates from the National Weather Service. With multiple power sources including solar, a hand crank, and a rechargeable battery, it’s a reliable and affordable way to stay in the know before, during, and after major weather events. It even includes a bright flashlight with an SOS beacon setting to signal for emergency assistance and can prove lifesaving if your loved one becomes stranded in their vehicle. It’s an ideal gift for campers, commuters, and anyone living in a catastrophe-prone area. 

Midland ER50 Emergency Alert Weather Crank Radio – MIDLAND

7. WATER SENSORS: DETECT LEAKS AND FLOODS EARLY

Water damage can be costly, and each day, 14,000 homeowners deal with water leak emergencies, according to iPropertyManagment.com. Fortunately, loss mitigation technology can notify you early if a leak is detected. Water sensors like this one from SimpliSafe are small, affordable, and can be placed in areas prone to water damage—under the sink, near the water main, or near the base of the hot water heater. These sensors require a new or existing SimpliSafe monitoring system which you can explore at the link below.

Water Sensors by SimpliSafe 

8. SOLAR POWER BANK: KEEP DEVICES CHARGED WHEN YOU NEED THEM MOST

If you’re looking for a gift to keep your loved ones connected in an emergency, a solar power bank makes a great stocking stuffer. This model comes equipped with 4 different output cables making it ideal to keep in an emergency kit without worrying about hunting down multiple cord types, and it even includes super bright dual LED lights with strobe and SOS flashing functions. The durable exterior is waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, so it’s safe to bring on camping trips and outdoor excursions. While it’s a staple for the home, the travelers in your life will also love that they can keep an extra power source with them in case of pesky flight delays or unexpected travel disruptions.

Alpha Digital Micro USB USB-C Lightning Power Bank 3-Ports at Lowes.com

9. YARD MAINTENANCE

Yard work can be a thoughtful gift—whether you’re pitching in with the cleanup, hiring local help, or gifting a seasonal maintenance service. Keeping a property well-maintained can help reduce the risk of serious damage to homes in extreme weather events and wildfires. For example, in areas prone to hurricanes, it’s important to take steps to improve drainage in your yard. For regions with windstorms, tornadoes, and blizzards, dead trees can pose a serious risk and should be removed.  

Wildfire risk calls for creating a defensible space around a home, which includes trimming trees and bushes, removing dead or dying trees and greenery, and clearing debris from decks and gutters, among others. 

If you’re able tackle some of this work yourself, yard work makes for a budget-friendly gift that takes tasks off your loved one’s plate and gives them peace of mind for the next storm

10. CHIMNEY SWEEPING

Is there anything cozier than gathering around the fireplace with loved ones? For those who use their fireplace regularly, chimneys should be swept at least once a year. This includes gas-burning fireplaces—although they don’t produce creosote like wood burning fireplaces do, they can still experience blockages from debris like leaves and animal nests. Approximately 14,000 chimney and vent fires occur every year in the US, according to the Building Safety Journal, but regular inspections and cleanings can reduce this risk. A gift-paid chimney sweep helps ensure your loved ones can enjoy their fireplace safely all winter long. 

Find a Certified Technician – National Fireplace Institute (NFI)

11. DRYER VENT CLEANING

Paying for a professional service to clean your loved one’s dryer vent might not be the most glamorous holiday gift but can go a long way in keeping your loved ones and their home safe. Between 2010 and 2014, US fire departments responded to approximately 16,000 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines, 92% of which involved clothes dryers, according the National Fire Protection Association. Having your dryer vents cleaned regularly can help prevent such fires as well as save on energy costs and extend the life of the dryer.   

Stanley Steemer Dryer Vent Cleaning – Available in 49 States

Home maintenance can be time-consuming and costly—whether it’s finding a reputable company, scheduling a service, or tackling projects independently. Helping cross a few items off a loved one’s to-do list is a thoughtful way to show you care.  

If you can’t take on the tasks yourself, consider local businesses that offer gift certificates or prepared services. These gifts are perfect for busy families, anyone who can’t safely manage home maintenance on their own, or first-time homebuyers.