Home Safety Tips

Protect your home & family with our safety tutorials on all things home safety.

Tom Silva adding a lock to an antique door

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Understanding Lock Grades

You can’t take the security of your home or your family's safety too seriously, and door locks are the first line of protection. But there are tons of door locks on the market. Add in the multiple grades, and you’re bound for frustration. We’ll explain what you need to know about lock grades so you can make the best choice for your budget and needs.
Image of sparklers being used to celebrate an occasion. It is important to learn home fireworks safety when using sparklers and fireworks.

Home Fireworks Safety: Essential Tips for a Safe Celebration

Planning your own fireworks show at home? Learn essential tips to keep your fireworks celebration safe.
S21 E16, Ross Trethewey discusses indoor air quality with Kevin O'Connor
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Understanding IAQ Testing

Home technology expert Ross Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor what he needs to know about indoor air quality testing.
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3 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Smoke Alarms

The end of Daylight Saving Time (November 4, this year) serves as an informal reminder to replace smoke-alarm batteries. Changes to fire code mean now’s a good time to consider these Qs, too
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3 Things to Do Before a Storm

Do these simple tasks before severe weather hits to help minimize or even prevent costly damage to your home
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How To Keep Your Basement Mold-Free

Learn top methods to prevent and eliminate mold in your basement. Get tips on moisture control, ventilation, and more from our experts.
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How to Select and Use Hearing Protection

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor discusses the importance of hearing protection when working around power tools
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Creating a Comfortable Home as You Age

This post originally appeared at mykukun.com
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Best Air Purifiers to Get You Through Allergy Season

Some people love the warm weather that comes with spring. But allergy sufferers dread this time of year. Here are a few doctor-approved home air purifiers to help you through the season
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Whole-House Battery Backup

Home battery backup systems could be part of our energy future. Learn more about how they work, their cost, and what benefits they bring.
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How to Prevent Holiday Fires

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor travels to UL Laboratories to learn about preventing fires from holiday decorations.
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How To Build a Storm Shelter to Stay Safe During Disaster

Worried about staying safe at home during storms? Learn all the ins and outs of building a storm shelter with our in-depth guide.
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How To Choose Hurricane Window Protection for Your Home

Hurricane window protection can protect your home and loved ones from storm surge, high winds, and heavy rainfall. Learn more in our guide.
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7 Holiday Fire Hazards

Keep your home and family safe with these important tips
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How To Hack-Proof Your Smart Home

Follow these tips to protect the smart devices in your home.
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Deck Safety Checklist

This deck safety checklist helps you identify issues before they become serious. We also provide deck maintenance and inspection advice.

What Really Happens in a House Fire

It only takes seconds for a small flame to become a life-threatening fire. This guide explains how a fire spreads in the first four minutes.
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Discover Your Home's Top 10 Danger Zones

These common problem areas can cause costly household disasters. Here's how to properly address them.
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How to Handle Household Products Safely

Learn the best way to reduce your use of certain household products, as well as the proper way to dispose of those you no longer need
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Ways Your Bathroom Is Making You Sick

The bathroom is one of the worst places in your home for hiding nasty toxins. Learn how to prevent your bathroom from making you sick.
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Beware of Hidden Home Fire Hazards

Learn where to look for hidden fire hazards and how to protect your home with our in-depth fire safety guide.
A living room with a fireplace against the wall.

How To Prepare Your Fireplace for the Cold Season

Before you spark up the logs, learn more about how to prepare your fireplace for safety, efficiency, and heat retention in the cold season.
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Surprising Sources of Radiation in Household Items

Many of us are unknowingly exposed to radioactive things everyday, here are 9 household materials and products that could be emitting low levels of radiation.
Tree down in residential neighborhood after a hurricane.

Hurricane Prep: An Essential Storm Safety Checklist

If a storm is approaching your area, follow these safety steps to ensure the safety of you and your family.
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How To Remove a Dangerous Tree

Watch our video and read this guide to learn how This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and arborist Matt Foti remove a decayed tree.
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9 Highly Toxic Old Household Products

Watch out for these dangerous household chemicals hiding on shelves, especially if it's been a while since you cleaned out the basement.
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How To Contain and Remove Lead Paint

If your home was built before 1978, you might have lead paint. Here's how to safely remove it or take care of it until you can.
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15 Ways Your Home Can Make You Infertile

Doctors can't explain what's wrong for about 10 percent of couples who can't conceive, and some experts suspect the culprit is where you'd least expect: in the home
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Cleaning Up Lead, Asbestos, and Other Hazards

When an inspection revealed a handful of household hazards, the owners of this TOH TV project house tackled the cleanup for a healthier home
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10 Ways Your House Can Kill You if You Aren't Careful

Learn about household hazards—and take a look at some what-not-to-do pictures—to find out how to make your home a safer place.
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5 of the Best Nontoxic Cleaners You Aren't Using

From wine to grease stains, use these simple and nontoxic household cleaning solutions that are likely in your kitchen pantry.
a woman walking a child through home safety procedures.

How To Make Your Home Kid-Safe to Avoid Accidents

Thousands of kids go to emergency rooms every year as a result of preventable, accidental injuries. Here's how to make your home kid-safe.
A two-story house with white siding, blue shutters, and a dark roof, that like any house should be tested for radon regularly.

How To Test for Radon and Get Rid of It

Concerned about high radon levels? Learn about different radon testing methods and mitigation options in our comprehensive guide.