Home Safety

Latest in Home Safety

Troubleshoot a Smoky Fireplace with These Tips

Why Is There Fireplace Smoke in My Home?

By Manasa Reddigari, By Bob Vila, Updated by Paul Rankin

few of the best door security bar options

Keep Your Home Protected With Our Favorite Door Security Bars That We’ve Tested

By Mark Wolfe, By Tiffany Lewis

Close up of hand with key with a keychain in the shape of a house.

Our Favorite Ways to Fake Being Home (and Prevent the House From Being a Target)

By Sandi Schwartz

The best water test kit options grouped together before a white background

The 6 Best Water Test Kits for Cleaner, Healthier Water, Tested and Reviewed

By James Fitzgerald, By Mark Wolfe

How to Set a Light Timer

5 Mistakes You’re Making When Setting a Light Timer Before Vacation

By Jonathon Bitner Jr.

LIt candles on a windowsill at night with a city landscape in the background.

3 Things You Should Absolutely Never Put on a Windowsill in Your Home

By Sandi Schwartz

Emergency Supplies on sale for Prime Day 2025

The 5 Emergency Supplies I Picked Up During Prime Day

By Kathleen Corlett

A small blue home with extensive hurricane damage.

How to Prepare for a Hurricane

By Donna Boyle Schwartz, Updated by Margaret Foley

An elderly woman smiles at a young man helping her in her home.

DIY Tips for an Alzheimer’s-Accommodating Home

By Theresa Clement

Photo of a young woman planting a small tree in her backyard

Is Your Yard Disaster-Proof? 5 Projects That Could Protect Your Home

By Sandi Schwartz

The Best Smoke Alarm Options

Keep Your Home and Family Safe With One of Our Favorite Smoke Detectors

The Best Emergency Radio Options

The 9 Best Emergency Radios—No Electricity, No Wifi, No Cell Service Needed

By Glenda Taylor, By Stacey L. Nash

A homeowner inspecting a section of flooring that appears to have mold growth.

Has That Mold Always Been There? A Guide to Recognizing Stains

By Deirdre Mundorf

Colorful microplastics sitting in the palm of a hand.

How to Reduce Microplastics in Your Home in 2025

By Sandi Schwartz

The Best Hand Crank Radios

This Handy Device Keeps You Informed During an Emergency—Even Without Power

By Mark Wolfe, By Tom Scalisi

A group of the best fireproof document bags together on a rocky, sandy surface before testing.

The Best Fireproof Document Bags to Keep Papers Safe, Tested

By Glenda Taylor, By Tom Scalisi

Close-up of yellow snowblower near snowbank.

Winter Storm Cora Is Set To Dump Up to 10 Inches of Snow—Stay Safe with These Essentials

By Glenda Taylor

Young woman blowing her nose with a tissue at home on her couch.

Why Am I Suddenly Allergic to My House?

By Sandi Schwartz

Things Never to Do With Your Space Heater

14 Space Heater Safety Mistakes That Could Burn Down Your House

By Michelle Ullman, Updated by Amy Anderson

Woman pulls a smoke detector off its bracket, which is positioned above a doorframe.

Why Is My Smoke Detector Beeping?

By Tom Scalisi, By Bob Vila