Home Safety Videos
These This Old House videos showcase all of our home safety projects, how-tos, and designs.
Understanding Radon Testing
Host Kevin O’Connor talks about radon testing, safe levels, and mitigation with home technology expert Ross Trethewey.
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.
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.
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.
Understanding IAQ Testing
Home technology expert Ross Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor what he needs to know about indoor air quality testing.
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.
How to Make a DIY Air Filter
Ross Trethewey explains how air filtration systems work and how to build a localized DIY air filter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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..
How to Install Your Own Security System
Ask This Old House host Kevin O'Connor helps a homeowner install a wireless alarm system.
How to Install a Fire Escape Ladder
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install an emergency escape ladder
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
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.
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
How to Choose Hurricane Window Covers
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a homeowner several ways to protect windows during a storm.
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
How to Install an Electronic Air Cleaner
Improving indoor air quality with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey
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
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
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
How to Remove a Dangerous Tree
This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and arborist Matt Foti remove a badly decayed tree.
How to Remove and Contain Lead Paint
Lead paint abatement specialist Ron Peik shows the safe, proper way to dispose of lead paint.