Install and regularly maintain carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to guard against deadly gas leaks and fire hazards. Make sure to replace batteries regularly and test them once a month.


Consult your user manuals for the best placement for these life-saving devices in your home. Smoke detectors should always be installed on the ceiling, while carbon monoxide detectors should be kept close to sleeping areas, like bedrooms and hallways


Find out more in our Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detector Buying Guide.

Keep a screen or heat-tempered glass door in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks and embers from flying out. Fireplace screens work well as a decorative element or a focal point in your living room, and help to create a safer environment for kids and pets.

Never leave appliances unattended while cooking. In case of a grease fire, cover the flame with a lid. Turn all pot handles to the stove's centre. And always double check to make sure you've turned off your appliances after use.

If you have a lot of electrical equipment, surge protectors will help prevent damage in the event of power surges. This is different from power strips, which only provides more outlets for use. Never plug in one surge protector into another as a "daisy chain" — this can risk blown fuses or electrical fires.

Find out more in our Surge Protector Buying Guide.

Have a back-up exit method prepared in case your primary method is blocked — purchase collapsible ladders to place near a window. Never open a warm door; if the door's top, knob, and crack feel warm or hot, use your secondary escape route. If you must escape through a smoky area, cover your mouth and stay as low to the ground as possible. And teach kids not to hide (say, under a bed) from firefighters!