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Home Safety Videos

These This Old House videos showcase all of our home safety projects, how-tos, and designs.

S22 E11: Ross Trethewey discusses radon with Kevin O'Connor
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Understanding Radon Testing

Host Kevin O’Connor talks about radon testing, safe levels, and mitigation with home technology expert Ross Trethewey.
S22 E5: environmental contractor, Ron Peik discusses asbestos with Kevin O'Connor
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Understanding Asbestos Safety

Host Kevin O‘Connor meets with environmental contractor Ron Peik to talk about asbestos, when it’s dangerous, and the steps required to identify and remove it.
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Understanding Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about these fire safety devices.
S21 E25, Tom Silva demonstrates table saw safety features for Kevin O'Connor
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Simple Guide to Table Saw Safety

General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor the features and techniques required to stay safe when using a table saw.
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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How to Babyproof Your Home

Nathan Gilbert, Mauro Henrique, and Heath Eastman help a homeowner prepare their home for their baby’s future, keeping them safe from serious hazards like poisons, electricity, and falls.
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How to Make a DIY Air Filter

Ross Trethewey explains how air filtration systems work and how to build a localized DIY air filter.
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Protect Your Home From Electrical Damage | This Old House: LIVE!

This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman discusses the anatomy of arc-faults and demonstrates how Leviton’s AFCI receptacles can detect these electrical hazards and protect your home from fire and damage.
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Understanding the Dangers of Thirdhand Smoke

Ask This Old House home technology expert Ross Trethewey and painter Mauro Henrique discuss how to remove a cigarette smell from a home and why it is important to do so.
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How to Wire a Portable Generator

Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains a few different methods for hooking up a portable generator to a house.
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How to Safely Dispose of Oily Rags

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva discusses the proper disposal techniques for oily rags to prevent spontaneous combustion.
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How to Safeguard Your House from Wildfires

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor learns about ways to make a home more resistant to wildfires.
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Staying Safe with Natural Gas

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O’Connor discuss how gas regulators work and how their malfunction caused gas explosions in Lawrence, MA
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Changing Locks on a New Home

Here’s how to change a door lock on a new house to keep your home safe and secure.
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Keep Basements Mold-Free

Planning to create or redo a below-grade living space? Finished basements are vulnerable to damage from storm-water intrusions, leaking pipes and hot-water tanks, or simply high humidity. Lower the risk of mold or mildew taking hold by remodeling with materials made to shake off damp conditions
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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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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 Monitor a Home with a Smart Phone

In this edition of DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor shows general contractor Tom Silva a new home monitoring device that works with a smart phone.
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A Personal Story on the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares a personal story on the dangers of carbon monoxide and how an operational CO detector could be the difference between life and death..
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How to Install Your Own Security System

Ask This Old House host Kevin O'Connor helps a homeowner install a wireless alarm system.
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How to Install a Fire Escape Ladder

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install an emergency escape ladder
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How to Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Scott Caron, master electrician for Ask This Old House, wires an old house with new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
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How to Build a Storm Shelter

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to pour a massive concrete storm shelter. Read on to also learn more about design considerations and guidelines to keep you safe from the storm.
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How to Install an Electronic Dead Bolt

Ask This Old House host Kevin O'Connor shows a homeowner how to install a Bluetooth-enabled smart-lock dead bolt for his front door
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How to Choose Hurricane Window Covers

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a homeowner several ways to protect windows during a storm.
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How to Install a Motion-Activated Security Light

Ask This Old House Master Electrician Scott Caron installs a light above a garage to illuminate a dark driveway
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How to Install an Electronic Air Cleaner

Improving indoor air quality with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey
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How to Clean Up Attic Mold

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a professional approach to eliminating dangerous fungus outbreaks in the home
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How to Install a Fire Sprinkler System

In this instructional video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey describes how an in-home sprinkler system works
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How to Choose and Use Safety Gear

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor and plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey discuss various types of DIY safety gear
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How to Remove a Dangerous Tree

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and arborist Matt Foti remove a badly decayed tree.
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How to Remove and Contain Lead Paint

Lead paint abatement specialist Ron Peik shows the safe, proper way to dispose of lead paint.
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How to Install a Vintage Lockset

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares his tricks of the trade for installing a mortised lockset