Mistakes you're making at home that you don't realize are dangerous

Prevent knicking yourself when reaching into your drive drawer. Instead, cover your knife blades with these edge guards. Their universal design and five sizes make them suitable for use with nearly any knife, regardless of whether they’re stamped, forged, or ceramic. Plus, the wide openings make it easy to slide your knives inside.

Slipping in the shower can lead to bruises, or at worst, broken bones. Enter: this grab bar. Designed to help support balance, it mounts onto your shower wall via suction cups on both ends — the bar can even support up to 240 pounds. The textured rubber path in the center of the bar helps you grim firmly when your hands are wet.

Pooling rainwater can cause structural damage to your home, making these downspout extensions a smart buy. They can expand from 21 to 60 inches, making it easy to direct the flow of water wherever you need. The best part may be that installation is as easy as screwing it into place overtop of your existing downspout.

Smooth wooden stairs can be a recipe for slips and falls. Luckily, these treads are an easy fix. The adhesive backing lets you press them right into place on your stairs, while the carpeted top layer gives feet the added grip they need. And when they get dirty, the top carpet layer peels off for easy cleaning.

From bookshelves to dressers, these anchors are great for helping prevent all sorts of tall, heavy pieces of furniture from tipping over. They’re made from tough stainless steel that can withstand a load of up to 400 pounds. They also come backed by a 4.7-star overall rating, which indicates they do their job right.

It’s almost too easy to accidentally slip on that smooth bathtub floor. Enter: this mat. The grippy surface gives your feet some added traction, while multiple drainage holes throughout work to help keep it free from mildew. Plus, suction cups on the bottom work to keep it securely in place.

Fitting a sponge all the way down into your reusable water bottle can be a challenge. Luckily, these brushes are available for less than lunch. Their extra-long handles and different bristle sizes make it easy to scrub all the way down into tall bottles, while nonslip or loop handles help you keep a firm grip. Each order also includes a three-in-one detail brush to help you clean inside the bottle cap as well.

Being prepared for an emergency always a good idea, so why not stock your kit with this fire blanket? It’s made from flame-retardant fiberglass that helps extinguish flames — simply cover liquid or grease fires with it, or you can even wrap yourself in it as a thermal shield. This reusable blanket is waterproof, tear-resistant, and backed by over 27,000 five-star ratings.

A leaking pipe can lead to hundreds of dollars in repairs to your cabinetry. Luckily, this mat is an easy fix. The waterproof surface works to shield your cabinets from moisture, while a lip running around the edge keeps pooling moisture contained. “With this is place, we no longer have to worry about water damage under our sinks,” wrote one reviewer.

No matter how often you wash them, the towels that you’ve been using for years likely have at least some amount of bacteria lurking within their fibers. Instead, opt for these disposable towels. Not only are they more hygienic, but each one is also infused with glycerin so they feel gentle on skin. “These towels are a wonderful upgrade from traditional cloth face towels, especially if you’re focused on maintaining healthy, refreshed skin,” wrote one reviewer.

Add an extra layer of security to sliding glass doors, windows, or regular doors by deploying this door jammer security bar. It installs in seconds with a simple lever design, no tools or complicated setup needed. The bar extends from 21 inches to 46 inches for a snug fit where you need, and comes backed by nearly 9,000 perfect ratings.

Bacteria can build up inside of hand towels over time — even if you wash them. With that in mind, why not replace old ones with this fresh set? Each towel is made from 100% Turkish cotton that’s just as absorbent as it is soft. And with more than 15 colors to choose from and an inexpensive price tag, don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to grab a few.

Loose string lights can fall to the ground, resulting in shattered glass on the floor when the bulb breaks. Luckily, these clips are an easy fix. Their adhesive backing lets you press them right into place on drywall, laminate, concrete, and more. The adhesive is strong enough to support up to 1/3rd of a pound, and these work for dangling cords of any type.

Eating spoiled food can cause gastrointestinal distress or worse, making these sticker labels a smart buy. Each one features space to write the date that your ingredients went into the freezer, as well as any other pertinent details. They’re waterproof, remove with no residue, and according to one reviewer, “They’re also smudge-resistant and easy to write on with either a pen or permanent marker. Overall, super practical.”

Front-load washing machines can develop unwanted odors and even mold if you keep their door shut — but leaving it wide open can also be a hazard. Enter: this door prop. The magnetic base mounts onto your machine, while the curved arm keeps the door cracked open just enough for air to escape, yet not so wide that it’ll get in the way.

Grilling on a wooden deck or even a lawn can be a recipe for disaster. Enter: this protective pad. It’s waterproof, oil-resistant, and so fireproof that it can withstand temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. And if splatters do get on it, one reviewer wrote, “Cleanup is super easy; any spills or grease just wipe right off.”

Lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries can start fires if stored improperly, making this case a must-have. It’s waterproof, fireproof, and can even withstand temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. A zippered closure and handle on the top makes it easy to pull your batteries out of storage whenever you need.

It’s almost too easy to accidentally trip over a curled rug or fall on one that slips — and that’s where these grippers come in. Their V-shaped design helps keep them in place on corners, which is easier than using straight pieces of rug tape. The adhesive is also strong enough for outdoor as well as indoor use.

Can’t remember the last time you gave that reusable water bottle a thorough wash? Then these tablets are a must. Simply fill your bottle with warm water, drop a tablet inside, then let it sit for about 30 minutes. The tablet will work to help cleanse away everything from odors to grime — and no additional scrubbing is required.

Unlike some power strips, this outlet extender features a screw in the center to keep it firmly in place. It also has built-in surge protection that helps shield your home and gadgets from electrical spikes. Five outlets, two USB ports, and two type-C ports give you room to power all sorts of devices. Plus, the outlets are spaced far enough apart that bulky plugs are less likely to block neighboring outlets.

There’s no hardwiring required when installing these carbon monoxide detectors — just screw them in with the included screws. Each one only requires three AA batteries (not included) to get up and running — and they’re even so loud that you should be able to hear them throughout most homes. Plus, their LCD screens are backlit for easy reading.

Leaving a dirty filter inside your HVAC can lead to less-than-steller air quality inside your home. So if you aren’t ready to replace the filter, try cleaning it using this highly rated spray. It removes the buildup that develops within the filter, helping restore air flow efficiency so that it works like new. There’s also no scrubbing required — simply spray, let soak, then gently rinse for best results.

Always nicking yourself in the kitchen? Then these gloves are worth a look. They’re made from tough, food-safe fabric that’s four times stronger than leather — and the ambidextrous cut makes them suitable for wear on either hand. Once dirty, simply toss them into the wash for an easy clean.

Letting lint build up inside of your dryer can be a fire hazard, as well as make the dryer run less efficiently — but that’s only part of why I’m a fan of this vacuum attachment. It reaches deep into your dryer, helping you remove all those stray bits of lint that have escaped past the trap. “So much lint came out my dryer and dryer works so much better,” wrote one reviewer. “I can sleep better knowing its no fire hazard in my house.”

Don’t risk accidental drops or thermal shock cracking that glass stovetop. Instead, place this cover on top between uses. It’s made from tough silicone that’s heat-resistant up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and features raised slats along the top so that you can use it as extra counter space or even a dish mat. One reviewer wrote, “It fits my glass cooktop perfectly and protects it from scratches and spills.”

A slip in the shower can be a recipe for injury, making these grippy stickers a smart buy. They’re small so are customizable to your shower or tub floor, and waterproof adhesive keep them firmly glued down. If you ever do decide to remove them, you also won’t have to worry about leftover residue.

Pulling too far into your garage can damage the front of your car as well as the wall in front of you. Luckily, these tennis balls are an easy fix — just hang them up so that they tap your windshield once you’ve pulled far enough into your garage. And since the attached rope is 13 feet long, it should even work in garages with high ceilings.

Don’t strain your body trying to lift that heavy cabinet. Instead, let these jacks do the work for you. Their thick, solid steel base plates give them a stable center of gravity, which helps keep them steady as they raise heavy items upwards. And with a weight limit of up to 360 pounds, feel free to load them up with everything from furniture to appliances.

This guided homeowner notebook features maintenance checklists, handy forms to stay organized, and lists to track key contacts, repairs, and other details. Compact with a hard cover and elastic strap closure, it’s designed to keep everything in one place — there’s even a pocket in back for business cards and receipts. One reviewer described it as “a great record keeper for anything installed, dates, warranties, remodeling and more.”

Weather, clumsy friends, or improper installation can send poorly secured string lights crashing to the ground. With that in mind, these adhesive hooks make it so easy to secure your lights onto wood, metal, plastic, or nearly any other type of outdoor surface. And since the adhesive is UV-resistant, these are made to stay up for the long haul.

Linking multiple extension cords or power strips together when you need more outlets can be a fire hazard. Thankfully, this power strip features eight outlets and four additional charging ports (two USB and two type-C) so it can power up to 12 devices simultaneously. Plus, it’s on a 15-foot cord so it can give you a hub even far away from your outlet.

Consider these pipette brushes an essential if you own reusable straws. Their stiff nylon bristles gently scrub away grime, dust, mold, and everything in between. And since the shafts are made from tough stainless steel, they’ll securely reach deep into your straw and last for years to come.

From stairways to basements, these LED light bars are great for illuminating all sorts of dark spaces around your home. Each one only requires four AAA batteries (which are not included) in order to stay lit for hours. Plus, their built-in motion sensors prevent them from wasting power when no one is around.

Dull knives can slip off whatever ingredient you’re slicing, which can lead to nicked fingers. Thankfully, this sharpener is an easy fix. It features two slots: one for sharpening dull blades, and one for smoothing the freshly sharpened blade. Plus, the compact size takes up hardly any space in storage.

Bare yards can be tough to navigate and dirt pathways can shift when it rains, creating a potential hazard for trips and falls. Enter: this roll-out pathway. It’s made from weather-resistant cedar wood, with a curved shape that makes it great for use around gardens. You also have the choice of three lengths: 4, 6, or 8 feet.

Don’t burn yourself when reaching into that hot oven. Instead, place these shields on your oven racks. They’re made from tough silicone that’s heat-resistant up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit — so they hold up to high-heat cooking. But if that isn’t enough, you can trim them to fit smaller racks as needed using standard scissors.

Unlike some socket covers, these ones are designed so that they’re easy for adults to remove, yet impossible for pets and kids. Each one features a hidden ring handle that you can flip up when it’s time to pull them out — and they’re designed to fit into nearly any standard three-prong outlet.

Not only do these traction treads give your feet the extra grip they need when walking up wet outdoor stairs, but a strip at the edge also glows in the dark, making it easy to see the edge of the step in the dark. They’re designed to hold up in extreme weather conditions, though are also just as useful deployed indoors.

Leaks can lead to mold, which can negatively affect the air quality — and more — inside your home. The solution? Place these detectors anywhere that water can leak. They’ll let out an ultra-loud alert whenever they sense moisture, helping you catch the leak before it leads to bacterial growth. Batteries also come included.

In addition to being painful an accidental pet scratch can even lead to infection, making these clippers a smart investment. The blades are made from sharp stainless steel that easily slices through nails. The ergonomic handle makes them comfortable to use whether you’re left- or right-handed, and they’ve earned a 4.7-star overall rating.

Don’t risk tripping when you get out of bed at night. Instead, add this LED light strip underneath your bed. Its built-in motion sensor turns the light on whenever you get out of bed, and you can adjust the timer so that it automatically turns off after anywhere from 30 seconds to six minutes. Installation is a total breeze via the adhesive backing.

Loose window blind cords can be a choking hazard for children and pets. Enter: these cord wraps. No installation is required — just loop the cord around until it’s short enough to hang out of harm’s way. And since these are made from tough polycarbonate, you can rest assured that they’re built to last.

It’s almost too easy to trip and fall when going up outdoor stairways in the dark — but that’s where these step lights come in handy. Each one is powered by a built-in solar panel that keeps them lit for hours at night. And since they’re waterproof, you won’t have to worry about them struggling on rainy days.

Leaving your toothbrush sitting out on a counter is an easy way to wind up with airborne bacteria on the bristles. Luckily, this case is available for a surprisingly low price. A powerful UV light on the inside works to eliminate up to 99% of bacteria from the bristles — and one cleaning cycle only takes about five minutes to complete.

A backyard that doesn’t have any shade can lead to sunburns. Luckily, this sun sail creates instant shade wherever you set it up. It blocks up to 95% of the sun’s harsh UV rays, while rust-resistant grommets at the corners make it easy to hang. And if it starts to rain? The permeable fabric allows it to easily drain away.

It can be easy to accidentally trip when walking in the yard or outdoor path at night — but that’s where these lights come in handy. Simply press their stakes down into the ground, and the solar panel built into the top will keep them lit for eight to 12 hours through the night. You also have the choice of two light colors: warm white or cool white.

Stairs, pipes, rocks, unsteady ground — this glow-in-the-dark tape is great for highlighting all sorts of tripping hazards, indoors or out. It reaches full charge with just 30 minutes UV or traditional light exposure, and can stay lit for up to 10 hours at night. One reviewer described it as “very durable” before going on to write that it “has stayed on floor after multiple washes.”

Place your potted plants on this wall-mounted holder, and it’ll keep them safely lifted away from any overly curious pets. Each tier rotates 180 degrees so that you can arrange them however you like. Plus, the black powder coating is sure to look good no matter how you’ve styled your home.

Children (or anyone who enjoys taking a bath) can accidentally knock a body part into the spout when getting comfortable in the tub, so why not grab this cover? It’s made from soft, food-grade silicone that’s PVC- as well as BPA-free. Plus, the universal design makes it suitable for use with nearly any spout.

Unlike some snow melter pellets, this particular bottle is made without any toxic chlorines or sharp edges, making it suitable for use around homes with pets. It starts to melt ice immediately on contact. And if you walk inside with some of it on your shoes, the gentle formula won’t create stains on hardwood floors.