Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/925872
Make it safe and sound There are a few things that every homeowner should do to ensure that they're not living with a potential health hazard or fire risk. First, check your house for radon. This colorless, odorless gas causes lung cancer from the radioactive particles it traps in your lungs as you breathe. With test kits costing as little as $20, there's no reason not to get right on that. Secondly, make sure you install a carbon monoxide detector on every bedroom floor in addition to fire detectors. If a chimney flue or furnace vent gets blocked or leaks, carbon monoxide could back up in your house and kill you. Like a radon test, this is a small investment — about $40. Watch out for dryer lint. Sure, you clean the little trap inside the door, but most people neglect to clean the vents and ducts behind the dryer. Lint may seem innocent, but it's highly combustible accounting for more than 15,000 building fires a year. Shrink your bills — and your carbon footprint When people think of going green, they often think it takes solar panels or a hybrid car to make a difference - not so. The best place to start is by cutting your energy usage in your home: Remember your mom's advice and switch off the lights when you leave a room. Turn off your air conditioner when you leave the house and dial your heater down to 55 degrees at night. Install compact fluorescent bulbs and low-flow showerheads. Try drying some of your clothes on the line and wait for the dishwasher or washing