Space heater placement rules that stop most fires (and the one spot to avoid)
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Space heater placement rules that stop most fires (and the one spot to avoid)

Most space heater fires do not start because the device is faulty, but because it is parked in the wrong place at the wrong time. With a few clear placement rules, you can keep the extra warmth you want while sharply cutting the odds that a knocked-over unit, overloaded outlet, or nearby blanket turns into…

A space heater recall is making the rounds—how to check yours in under a minute
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A space heater recall is making the rounds—how to check yours in under a minute

Space heater recalls are stacking up, and the latest one involves a popular whole-room model that many people bought to get through this winter. You can find out in under a minute whether your heater is affected by checking the label, the retailer where you bought it, and a few key recall pages. A quick…

Winter outage checklist: 10 things to do right away (and 3 things not to do)
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Winter outage checklist: 10 things to do right away (and 3 things not to do)

When the lights cut out on a freezing night, the first few minutes matter more than you think. The choices you make in that window can keep your home livable, protect critical equipment and medicine, and prevent injuries that often spike during winter blackouts. A clear checklist of what to do immediately, and what to…

What to keep next to your breaker box so you’re not scrambling during an outage
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What to keep next to your breaker box so you’re not scrambling during an outage

When the lights cut out, the last place you want to be is on your hands and knees in the dark, feeling around for a flashlight while your breaker box looms somewhere nearby. A small, well planned setup next to that panel turns a blackout from a scramble into a routine task, letting you restore…

The simple “one-room heat plan” that works when the power goes out
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The simple “one-room heat plan” that works when the power goes out

When the lights go out in a cold snap, the difference between shivering through the night and staying reasonably comfortable often comes down to one decision: how you manage the heat you already have. Instead of trying to keep an entire house livable, a focused “one-room” strategy lets you concentrate warmth, conserve energy and protect…

The first hour of a winter outage: 9 steps that help prevent frozen pipes and damage
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The first hour of a winter outage: 9 steps that help prevent frozen pipes and damage

When the power cuts out on a bitter night, the clock starts ticking on your plumbing. Within the first hour, the choices you make can determine whether you ride out the cold with minor inconvenience or wake up to ruptured pipes and thousands of dollars in damage. By treating that first stretch of time as…

Before the next outage, check this on your carbon monoxide detector so it actually protects you
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Before the next outage, check this on your carbon monoxide detector so it actually protects you

Carbon monoxide is quiet, fast, and unforgiving, which is why your detector has to be ready before the lights go out and the furnace, fireplace, or generator become your lifeline. The single most important step is making sure your alarm can still do its job when the power fails, and that comes down to a…

7 upgrades that still qualify for 2025 energy credits—and 5 that don’t
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7 upgrades that still qualify for 2025 energy credits—and 5 that don’t

Energy tax rules shifted significantly under the Inflation Reduction Act, but many of the most valuable home upgrades still qualify for credits in 2025 while others no longer make the cut. If you are planning a renovation, the difference between a qualifying project and a near miss can mean hundreds of dollars in lost savings….