Cold weather means the furnace kicks on, the space heater comes out of the closet and the holiday decorations come down from the attic. It is also the time of year when worn out household items cause the most trouble. The tricky part is that many of them still look fine. A smoke alarm does not appear to age, and a cord that is slightly cracked still works. Safety groups and government agencies have been clear about what should go in the trash, and when. Here are nine things to check around your house this week, with the guidance from the experts behind each one, so you can head into winter with a little more peace of mind.
Smoke Alarms That Are Ten Years Old or More
This one surprises almost everyone. The National Fire Protection Association says smoke alarms “need to be replaced at least every 10 years,” counted from the manufacture date, not the day you installed them, according to CE Pro. The date is printed on the back or side of the alarm. Kidde gives the same ten year advice and cites NFPA.
The numbers NFPA shared in 2016 show why this matters. Three in five home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working alarms. Nineteen percent of Americans with alarms said their oldest one was ten or more years old, 18 percent were not sure how old it was, and 90 percent answered incorrectly when asked how often alarms should be replaced. NFPA also recommends testing alarms monthly. Grab a step stool, turn each one over, check the date and replace any that have outlived their ten years.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Past Their Expiration
Carbon monoxide alarms wear out too, and the clock is shorter than many people expect. Kidde recommends replacing CO and combination alarms every seven to ten years depending on the model. Most models made since 2013 have a ten year life, while those made before 2013 have a seven year life. The manufacture date is on the back of the alarm.
Winter is when furnaces, fireplaces and portable heaters work overtime, so this is the right moment to check. The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises putting a carbon monoxide alarm outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area of the home, along with smoke alarms on every level and inside each bedroom. If your alarm is older than the window listed for your model, or you cannot find a date at all, replacing it is a small cost compared with what it protects.
Cracked or Frayed Electrical Cords
That lamp cord that has gotten stiff and cracked near the plug is not just ugly. Passing along guidance from the Electrical Safety Foundation International, GRDA, a utility, says that if a cord is cracked or frayed, you should not use it, because damaged cords may have exposed wires that can be a fire and shock hazard in the home.
The same guidance warns that cords pinched by furniture or caught in doors and windows can damage the insulation, that wrapped cords can trap heat and that cords near hot surfaces can melt or burn. Nails or staples holding a cord in place should be removed, and the cord replaced if it is damaged. Take a walk through each room, run your hand along the cords you use most and look behind the sofa and under the rugs. If you find damage, throw the cord away and buy a new one. Do not wrap it in tape and hope for the best.
Older Space Heaters Without Modern Safety Features
The old oil filled heater in the back of the closet might be a family favorite, but check it carefully. The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises buying a heater tested to current standards and certified by a nationally recognized testing lab. It notes that newer models include features such as tip-over shutoffs and guards around the heating element. This guidance dates back to a 2003 release, but it remains the same advice you will hear today.
Whichever heater you use, the agency says to put it on a flat, hard, nonflammable surface, not on a rug or carpet, and to keep a three foot buffer between the heater and bedding, drapes, furniture and other things that can burn. Never leave one running while you sleep, and turn it off when you leave the room. If your heater is missing a guard, has a damaged cord or lacks a certification label, it is time to retire it and shop for a newer one.
Damaged Holiday Light Strands
Before the lights go up, test each strand. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says to inspect every string, old and new, for damage such as cracked sockets, bare or frayed wires, loose connections, and loose or missing bulbs. If a set is damaged, the agency’s advice is to not buy or use it. The agency also suggests choosing lights that carry a tested and labeled mark from a recognized lab such as UL or ETL.
That guidance comes from a 1995 release, but the common sense behind it has not changed. Plug in each strand while it is still on the floor, run your fingers gently along the wire and look for sockets that are cracked or bulbs that are loose. A set that has been squashed in a box for years is the most likely to have trouble. Toss the bad ones and replace them with a labeled set. Keep the good strands neatly wound on a cardboard form so they last another season.
Fire Extinguishers That Have Aged Out
A fire extinguisher in the kitchen cabinet can give a false sense of security. SlashGear, citing NFPA guidelines, reports that non-rechargeable extinguishers, the common type in homes, expire 12 years from the year of manufacture, and that the year is usually printed on the body near the bottom. Kidde also notes that the manufacture date appears on the bottom of the unit or is stamped into the cylinder.
NFPA guidelines call for a monthly visual check to confirm the extinguisher is in the right place, undamaged and showing proper pressure on the gauge. SlashGear adds that all portable extinguishers should be replaced at end of life regardless of their condition, even if they look new and were never used. If yours is past its date, replace it. Your local fire department is a good first call if you are not sure how to dispose of the old one.
Expired and Unused Medicines
The medicine cabinet is a classic place for old bottles to pile up. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the best way to dispose of most expired, unwanted or unused medicines is through a drug take-back program. FDA notes that you can drop them off at a take-back location, including some pharmacies that have kiosks, or use a prepaid mail-back envelope.
If a take-back option is not available, the agency says to check the label, the patient leaflet or the FDA flush list, and to flush only medicines that appear on that list. For everything else, it recommends taking the medicine out of its original container, mixing it with something unappealing such as used coffee grounds, dirt or cat litter, sealing the mixture in a container such as a zip bag, and putting it in the trash. Scratch out your personal information on the packaging before you throw it away. Winter colds make this a good time to clear out the leftovers.
Clogged Furnace Filters
Your furnace filter is the one item on this list that you will use up and throw away on a schedule. Energy Trust of Oregon says most filters need changing every one to three months, depending on dust, pet hair and outdoor air quality, while thicker filters of three to six inches can last up to six months. To check, hold the filter up to a light. If light cannot pass through, it is time to replace it.
The organization explains that a dirty filter restricts airflow, causing your furnace to overwork. It can also reduce indoor air quality, which may lead to headaches, dry throat and eye irritation. A clogged filter can even overheat to the point of becoming a fire hazard. The date and size are printed on the frame, so write the date you installed the new one right on the edge with a marker. Set a reminder on your calendar for the next change. It is a small chore that protects your furnace and your family.
Rusted or Deeply Dented Cans in the Pantry
Many of us stock up on canned goods before winter storms. Alice Henneman, in a University of Nebraska-Lincoln food safety article updated in 2022 that draws on USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and FDA sources, says to discard any can with a deep dent on any seam. Heavily rusted cans should also go because they may have tiny holes, though surface rust that wipes off is not serious.
The same article makes a point that surprises many people. A passed best-by date does not necessarily mean the food is unsafe, since the date mainly indicates peak quality. What matters is how the food looks and feels. Avoid pantry foods that have noticeably changed in color, consistency or texture, and if an opened can has rust inside, do not eat the food. Rotate your cans so the oldest are in front, and do a quick check of every shelf before the first cold snap arrives.
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