Home Safety
Upgrade to a Smart Smoke Detector
Standard-issue detectors have saved countless lives, but those battery-powered sentries can drive you crazy with false alarms and middle-of-the-night chirps ("Help! my battery needs changing . . . now!"). Some new smartphone-connected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors offer fixes for that—and more. Here’s a sampling.
Really Smart Homes
There are a lot of choices these days in the way of connected devices for a safer, more secure, and more convenient home. Maybe too many. To help you figure it out, here are 5 starter kits tailored to 5 very different types of homes and homeowners
How to Install Your Own Security System
Ask This Old House host Kevin O'Connor helps a homeowner install a wireless alarm system.
19 Easy Home Upgrades for April
Simple ways to improve your home this month
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 Safely Get Rid of Unwanted Household Items
How to toss or recycle household materials in need of special treatment. Note: Be sure to check your local laws before proceeding
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 Add Childproofing to a Home
Ask This Old House Host Kevin O'Connor shows a new mom a few tips to keep her baby safe around the house by using cabinet locks, a baby gate, outlet covers, and securing a television
7 Holiday Fire Hazards
Keep your home and family safe with these important tips
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
Why to Wear Chainsaw Safety Gear
This Old House landscape Contractor Roger Cook stresses the need for chaps & other protective clothing when operating a chainsaw
How to Hack-Proof Your Smart Home
A senior security researcher at the risk management firm Tripwire gives his tips for protecting your router and Wi-Fi devices
Prevent Electrical Fires with Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters
Electronic sentinels in your outlets offer protection from electrical fires
How to Choose and Use Hearing Protection
This Old House host Kevin O'Connor shares some tips on how to properly use hearing protection
14 Fast Fall Fixes
Service smoke alarms, drain the water heater, fertilize the lawn, drain and store hoses, PLUS other things you've got to get done before cold weather kicks in for good.
Moving In After Mold
This summer's flooding has destroyed thousands of houses, from Indiana to Texas. The rebuilding process starts with mold remediation
Deck Safety Checklist
7 signs that it's time to repair or replace your deck
What's Inside Your Glade Fragrance Plug-in?
It's hard to make "scents" out of the recent Glade fragrance-ingredient disclosures
Is There Hidden Mold in Your Home?
A new documentary shows the prevalence and dangers of mold toxins in our living spaces
How to Install an Electronic Air Cleaner
Improving indoor air quality with This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey
Power-Outage Essentials
Expert picks for what you should have on hand in case the lights go out during stormy weather season
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
Holiday Home Security Dos and Don'ts
Your empty house is an easy target for burglars. Deter them with these tactical tips
14 Supplies to Help You Prepare for a Blizzard
What you need to prepare for a snowstorm so you have the essentials before, during, and after an emergency strikes.
How a House Fire Spreads
It only takes 30 seconds for a small flame to turn into a full-blown life-threatening fire. We break down the sequence of events in a typical kitchen fire to show how quickly the devastation can spread.
Smart, Safe Storm Cleanup Tips
Getting your home back into shape after big weather may require more than a broom and a mop. Here's a collection of our best pro advice for managing the aftermath
Discover Your Home's Top 10 Danger Zones
Watch these common problem areas to help prevent costly household disasters
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
10 Ways Your Bathroom is Making You Sick
The bathroom may be all about cleaning, yet it's one of the worst places in your home for hiding nasty chemicals, allergens, and other toxins