This 15-Minute Check Could Save Your Life
Summer isn't quite over yet...
And that means you've still got time before fall gets underway to catch a few small household problems.
You don't need a toolbox (yet)... or a ladder. You won't need to sacrifice your Saturday either.
All you need is a few minutes.
Each of the issues we're looking for today is small and easy to ignore. But left unchecked, they could balloon into expensive – and even dangerous – problems for your wallet, your home, and your family.
So set a timer for 15 minutes, and let's get started...
Protect Your Home From These Five Common Hazards
1. Press the button that could save your life.
Look up at the ceiling... When was the last time you actually tested those smoke alarms?
Nearly 3 out of every 5 home-fire deaths occur in homes where all the smoke alarms are either missing or fail to operate, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
What's more, the death rate from home fires is 60% lower when smoke alarms are fully functional.
So press the test button on each smoke alarm in your home. While you're at it, test your carbon-monoxide alarms, too...
Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because you can't see, smell, or taste it. This sneaky gas is produced by fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves, and water heaters.
Don't forget to check the date on those alarms, too... The National Association of Home Builders ("NAHB") recommends replacing smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors every 10 years.
If you find any of these problems, don't wait... Fix it today.
2. Take a peek behind your dryer.
You probably already know to clean the lint trap after every load of laundry.
But lint doesn't just stick to that mesh screen... It can also collect behind the dryer and inside the exhaust system, where it restricts airflow and lets heat build up.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that clothes dryers cause about 6,400 fires in the U.S. every year, resulting in nearly $105 million in property damage and injuring around 180 people.
Not cleaning this appliance happens to be the leading factor in roughly one-third of home-dryer fires.
To check your dryer, just peek behind and underneath it for obvious lint buildup. Make sure the exhaust hose isn't kinked or crushed.
And the next time you run a load, pay attention to the drying time. That's because if your clothes start taking a lot longer to dry than usual, a blocked vent could be the culprit.
3. Make sure your fire extinguisher is easy to reach.
If a fire broke out on your stove tonight, would you be able to safely grab your extinguisher?
Cooking is the No. 1 cause of home fires and home-fire injuries in the U.S. It causes an estimated 158,400 residential fires each year.
But just owning an extinguisher isn't enough... The National Fire Protection Association says extinguishers should be visible and easy to reach. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, you should use one when the fire is small and contained and you have a clear escape route.
Make sure your extinguisher isn't in a hard-to-reach place... like behind your cleaning supplies. And think twice before storing it right next to your stove where flames could block access. Take a few seconds to inspect it, looking for rust, dents, or damage to the hose or nozzle.
4. Give your cords and outlets a once-over.
We don't usually think much about electricity unless it stops working properly. So today, I want you to take a few minutes and notice how it's working...
In 2023, electrical malfunctions caused an estimated 23,700 residential fires in the U.S. Those fires resulted in 305 deaths, 800 injuries, and more than $1.5 billion in property loss.
I recommend you scope out the rooms you use the most and look for things like frayed or cracked cords, overloaded power strips, and cords pinched under rugs or heavy furniture. Also pay attention to any plugs or outlets that look discolored or feel unusually warm to the touch.
Unless you moonlight as an electrician, don't try to repair questionable wiring yourself. Unplug the device if you can safely do so and have a professional check it out.
5. Find the valve that could save you $14,000.
Finally, I want you to answer this question... Do you know where to find the main water shut-off in your home?
If a washing-machine hose were to break or a pipe were to burst, every extra second it takes to find that valve could mean the difference between a small puddle and water pouring into your home.
Water damage gets expensive... fast. About 1 in 60 insured homes files a claim for water or freezing damage each year. And between 2018 and 2022, those claims averaged $13,954 apiece.
So make sure everyone in your household knows where the shut-off valve is located. If it isn't obvious, label it. And if you're unsure whether yours works properly, have a plumber check it out.
Sometimes, the most dangerous thing in your house is something you haven't thought about in months. Most of us probably walk past each of these things every day without thinking much about them. But 15 minutes could be all it takes to make sure your home is well protected.
What We're Reading...
- Something different: "Grey Beard" takes the record as the oldest hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
September 1, 2026