How often should smoke and carbon monoxide alarms be replaced?

Replace smoke alarms after 10 years and carbon monoxide alarms per the manufacturer date, often 5 to 10 years, printed on the unit. Test the button on every alarm monthly. Candle use and generator or fuel-burning heater use during power outages raise fire and CO risk, so working alarms matter most exactly when the power is out.

What is the single highest-return home security upgrade?

Replacing standard strike plate screws with 3-inch screws that reach the structural stud behind the door frame. Standard screws anchor only into the door casing, and a single kick can split the frame even with a quality deadbolt installed. The upgrade costs about $10 to $20 and takes 20 minutes per door.

Does a home security system prevent break-ins?

No system prevents a break-in. Locks, lighting, cameras, and alarms deter and delay, they do not guarantee. Layered security, from visible perimeter care to a consistent locking routine, changes the risk and effort calculation for anyone considering a property, which is what deterrence actually means.

How do I choose a shelter-in-place room?

Pick an interior room with few windows and doors, above ground level where possible, away from exterior walls. Every household member should know to go there without discussion. The right room depends on the hazard: a chemical release calls for a room that seals well, while severe weather calls for the lowest, most interior space available.

How do I keep a furnace or chimney from becoming a fire risk?

Have heating systems serviced by a qualified professional before their season, and have chimneys and fireplaces inspected and cleaned annually. Creosote buildup in a chimney is how wood heat burns houses down, and a furnace serviced in the off-season is far less likely to fail during the week you need it most.

Shelter Preparedness Checklist — Fire Safety, Home Security & Weatherproofing

10 yrs

smoke alarm replacement age

$10-20

highest-return security upgrade

4 in 10

burglaries: no forced entry

shelter-in-place room, chosen ahead

Step 1

Fire and Utility Safety.

Fire and carbon monoxide are the risks most likely to harm a household directly. A few working alarms and one learned skill cover most of it.

Fire and CO Safety

Confirm working smoke alarms on every level and in every bedroom
Confirm working carbon monoxide alarms in your home
Get a fire extinguisher and know where it is

Skills

Learn to shut off your home's gas, water, and electricity

Step 2

Weatherproof and Maintain Your Home.

Seasonal maintenance is cheaper than emergency repair. A sealed, serviced home holds heat, sheds water, and fails less often.

Home Protection

Weatherstrip and caulk doors and windows
Have your heating and cooling systems serviced before their season
Have the chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned each year
Clear gutters, downspouts, and drains around your home

Step 3

Layer Your Home Security.

Home security works in layers, from the property outward to daily habits. Build from the outside in and fix the weakest layer first.

Home Security

Replace door strike plate screws with 3-inch screws into the frame
Test every ground-floor window lock by hand
Add motion-activated lighting at every exterior entry
Lock every exterior door and the garage, every time, same routine

Step 4

Prepare to Shelter in Place.

Some emergencies mean staying put. Know the room, keep the supplies, and decide in advance so no one hesitates.

Shelter-in-Place

Designate one interior room as your shelter-in-place room
Precut sealing materials for shelter-in-place

Gear

Essentials. Start here.

A handful of items cover most of the fire, security, and shelter-in-place gaps.

Browse all gear reviews →

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