55 clever, cheap things that make your home & yard way less dangerous

Poorly maintained dryers can easily become fire hazards, so keep yours in tip-top condition with this dryer vent cleaner kit. It comes with an adapter, allowing you to affix the flexible hose to your vacuum. The set also includes a guiding wire to help you maneuver deep into crevices to suction up lint and other debris with ease.

Help deter winged pests and banish the bites with these mosquito-repellent incense sticks. The cedar sticks are infused with ingredients like rosemary and citronella oil which help discourage the presence of mosquitos. Simply place an incense stick into a holder of your choosing and light the end for more than two hours of pleasant-smelling, insect-repelling aroma.

Illuminate your outdoor space to create increased visibility and safety with these outdoor step lights. They’re constructed with a right angle, so you can wedge them seamlessly into the edges of your stairways. After the solar panels charge up during the day, they can run for an impressive 10 hours. As one Amazon user wrote, “Guests were constantly tripping on my porch steps due to poor visibility. Problem solved!”

• Available colors: 3

If you’ve ever accidentally grazed your forearm on a hot oven rack, you’ll be able to see what a game-changer these silicone oven rack shields are. They’re heat resistant up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit and easily clip onto the outside edges of your metal racks. And since you can trim them down to your exact appliance dimensions, they’re customizable as well.

• Available colors: 3

Help prevent tripping and slipping with these clever rug corner grippers. They come with pre-applied adhesive and stick directly to the underside corners of your rug. Not only will they help keep your rug flattened so your feet don’t get caught on curled-up corners, but they also have a rubber backing to help ensure your rug won’t slide around underneath your feet, either.

This compact fire extinguisher is the perfect companion to keep nearby in case of emergencies. With a compact, easy to store construction, this fire extinguisher doesn’t have any complicated pins or levers. All you have to do is remove the cap and press down on the dispenser like spray paint or hair spray. It works on a range of fires, too, including grease, electrical, and more.

Ensure your home is easy to spot in the event that emergency services need to gain access, thanks to these solar house numbers. They come with a range of numbers and letters, so you can customize your address, and once you’ve arranged your numbers, setup couldn’t be simpler. Just drive the extendable stake into the ground and make sure the solar panel is in the path of the sun.

Add a visually appealing touch to your bathroom and make it safer all at once with this nonslip tub and shower mat. With a design inspired by Moroccan tile, this mat is constructed from loofah-like material with a grippy rubber backing to help create stability on slick surfaces. It even works to lather up your feet for a deeper clean, too.

• Available colors: 10

Help ensure your home is as safe as possible behind the walls with this outlet tester. It measures and displays voltage with a clear LCD screen, but perhaps most usefully, there’s a green light that will illuminate if the wiring appears to be done correctly and a red one that shows if there’s a fault. This handy little gadget has wowed Amazon reviewers, with over 10,000 of them weighing in to give it a stellar 4.8-star overall rating.

Cut back on potentially dangerous open flames inside your home with these LED flameless candles. The set comes with three different sizes, all with a realistic look, thanks to the glass jars and real wax base. They’re all operated via remote control, where you can set them to a flickering or glowing light setting and adjust the brightness as well.

• Available colors: 6

Create a studier base on your staircases with these indoor and outdoor stair treads. They’re made from grippy rubber to increase your traction and help prevent accidental slips and slides. And thanks to the swirly pattern that’s meant to mimic wrought iron, they add a touch of visual interest to your space as well.

• Available colors: 8

Insects like mosquitos and ticks can carry dangerous diseases, so keep them away from your home with this insect spray. It attaches easily to your hose, and all you have to do is spray it around your house’s perimeter to create a bug-repellent barrier. Better yet, it can last for up to three months in between applications and is safe for humans to be around once dried.

Help decrease the likelihood of burns and scalds with these microwavable bowl huggers. They have a curved shape that perfectly “hugs” the outside of your bowl while providing a protective exterior. Simply place both the cozy and the dish in the microwave and you’ll have the perfect heat shield to remove it when it’s done.

Get a little extra visibility right where you need it with these LED motion-sensor stair lights. They come with both screws and adhesive tape, allowing you to customize the installation. As you walk by, these lights will automatically activate to provide a clearer path to minimize the chance of accidentally tripping. And after 10 seconds without motion, they’ll shut off to help conserve battery life.

Whether you have small children, curious pets, or a tendency to lean against the stove yourself, these stove knob covers are a must. They’re made from heat-resistant materials and prevent the knobs from accidentally turning and igniting. The hinged openings allow you to operate them — but only when you mean to.

If you love the feel of candles throughout your space but not the active flame, this candle warmer lamp is for you. It boasts a stylish fluted glass shade that holds a warming bulb to gently heats the candle below it, melting the wax and releasing any scent without burning down the wick.

• Available colors: 10

Help prevent potential foodborne illnesses by cooking your meat to the proper internal temperature with the help of this digital meat thermometer. It has a folding steel probe that can deliver an accurate temperature reading in just three seconds, which will be clearly displayed on the LCD screen. Along with a handy food safety temperature chart printed on the side, this thermometer also features a magnetic backing for easy storage on your fridge or grill.

• Available colors: 2

Home security has never been simpler, thanks to these window and door alarms. Each one has a base and a side tab that sticks to either side of a window or door with the included tape. When the door or window opens and the two units separate from each other, they’ll let out a chime to alert you immediately.

Create a clear, illuminated path with these solar puck lights. These circular bulbs come with stakes that let you set them flush in the ground, which makes it easier to avoid tripping over them as well. For use on stairs, you can remove the stake attachment and lay them down flat for stylish accent lighting. They’ll be ready to use after just four hours of charging in the sun.

• Available colors: 2

A messy garage or tool shed can become an instant tripping hazard, so tidy things up with these storage hook straps. The heavy-duty straps and metal carabiner hooks can support an impressive 250 pounds of suspended weight. Just adjust the strap length to your needs and cinch it to store hoses, sporting equipment, gardening tools, or anything else.

This adjustable bathtub safety rail is an easy way to help prevent falls in the bathroom. It consists of a vise-like clamp that allows it to fit securely over a range of tub widths, providing a stable handle for entry and exit. It’s beloved by Amazon users as well, over 12,000 of whom have weighed in to give it an impressive 4.6-star overall rating.

If you’re looking to keep your outdoor space bright for better visibility and security, these solar outdoor lights are for you. They’re ideal when mounted to the side of a house and can throw light over an impressive 345-square foot area. These motion-activated lights have three brightness modes and thanks to their IP65 waterproof rating, they can stand up to inclement weather as well.

Sharp blades can pose a real hazard in the kitchen, so shield your hands with these cut-resistant gloves. They’re woven with fiberglass, which helps prevent blades from slicing through the material (and your hands, by extension). The thumb, index finger, and middle finger also come reinforced with stainless steel-infused fabric for even more protection.

• Available sizes: X-Small — X-Large
• Available colors: 3

Help prevent burns and add a practical kitchen accessory to your home in the form of this double oven mitt. It’s made from thick, breathable cotton with reinforced silicone for improved grip and heat protection. The unique design of this mitt is its standout feature, however. You simply slip your hands into the outer pockets to use it, and then you can hang it up like a dish towel when you’re done.

Throwing away documents that display your sensitive information can be a security risk, so bust out this identity theft protection roller stamp for a little extra privacy. Just press and roll it across banking information, medical statements, or anything else to cover it with a swath of text that reads “confidential.” It even comes with six ink refills to keep you totally stocked up.

• Available colors: 4

Keep an eye on your home without drawing too much attention, thanks to this security camera light bulb. It screws into a range of common fixtures and features a 360-degree viewing angle plus an IP67 waterproof rating, ensuring it’s suitable for outdoor use. It can even film in color at night, and you can review the footage right from your phone on the corresponding app.

• Available colors: 2

Create attractive, high-contrast boundaries between your spaces with this adhesive floor transition strip. Not only does it help ground your rooms, but it can also help prevent tripping by creating a smoother barrier in between surfaces. It comes in a range of available dimensions and boasts a scratch-resistant coating. All you have to do is trim it to size and stick it in place.

• Available colors: 10

At first glance, this mosquito repellent lantern might just look like timeless yard decor, but it secretly houses a fuel source that bids those flying pests adieu. Just insert the fragrance-free fuel cell and the repellent mat into the lantern cavity and you’ll enjoy a 15-foot radius of mosquito protection. Better yet, it comes with enough repellent for 12 hours of continuous use.

Keep your floors dryer and safer with the help of this all-season shoe tray. Not only will it keep dirt, debris, and germs from penetrating deeper into your home, but it can also help cut down on slips and falls that can happen when when shoes track in moisture. This tray has a textured bottom to let water drip away and a raised outer lip to keep the mess contained, too.

When it comes to home safety, creating deterrents to theft can make a big difference, and that’s where this bold, high-contrast video surveillance sign comes in. Whether you have security cameras or not, its warning is very hard to miss, which is bound to make potential intruders think twice about targeting your home. It even comes with pre-drilled holes for easy setup.

Elevate your bathroom with this attractive memory foam bath mat. Not only is it made from soft and supportive foam, but it also has a natural-looking pebble finish that gives it an organic feel. It offers up protection, since it’s made from absorbent materials that soak up excess water and boasts a nonskid backing to help prevent slips and falls.

• Available colors: 7

Take your meal prep to new heights while minimizing risk to your fingers, thanks to this mandoline with a hand guard. It features a sharp stainless steel blade with four different width settings, allowing you to create a variety of perfectly even slices. To make this gadget safer, it has a thoughtfully constructed hand guard that pinches your produce in place, allowing you to keep your fingers clear of the blades as you slice.

Whether you place it at entryways or on your stairs, this anti-slip grip tape is excellent at increasing stability. It has a rough, textured surface that creates lots of traction to help prevent slips and trips with ease. It’s even water resistant, too. All you have to do is trim it to your desired length, peel off the backing, and stick it in place.

• Available colors: 4

Brighten up dark hallways with this pair of night-lights. Each light has a unique, squared-off shade that gives off its strongest glow at the perimeter. The night-lights’ attractive, minimalist design make them a welcome safety measure that’s easy on your wallet, too, since they automatically power off at dawn to save electricity.

• Available colors: 4

Help ensure you don’t get nicked from thorns or tools, thanks to these bamboo gardening gloves. They boast a breathable construction with reinforced rubber fingers that provide enhanced protection, even from spiny plants. They’re easy to care for as well, as you can launder them in the washing machine when they get dirty.

Inviting bears, coyotes, or other forms of wildlife onto your property is a risk you don’t have to take, thanks to this garbage can lock that keeps critters away from tempting trash. The two tabs screw onto the side and lid of your trash, allowing you to thread the strap through it and secure it in place for a snug fit. It works on a variety of can types, including upright hinged models, metal trash cans with removable lids, and more.

Keep your home properly illuminated at night without shelling out on costly wiring, thanks to these solar pathway lights. They automatically power on at dusk and off at dawn and even offer up a power-saving mode that ensures you’ll still have adequate lighting even in the darker winter months. These lights can be installed in the ground with the included stakes or on the sides of your home for increased versatility.

• Available colors: 4

Get a luxurious deep clean you can feel good about with this color-changing showerhead. Not only does it filter out hard metals and chlorine for water that’s more gentle on your skin and hair, but it comes with a practical temperature-monitoring system, too. The built-in LEDs change color as the water warms up, then flash red when the water reaches a potentially scalding temperature.

No entryway is complete without this absorbent front doormat. It’s constructed from a woven microfiber material that absorbs moisture that could otherwise create unsafe, slick floors. It boasts a low-pile design, ensuring it won’t obstruct doorways, either. When it needs a cleaning, just toss it in the washing machine on a cold setting.

• Available colors: 2

Keep electrical connections safe and protected with these outdoor extension cord safety covers. They boast four different snap closures for added security and won’t obstruct the flow of power when in use. They come in lots of bold colors and feature an IP44 water-resistance rating, which means they can even stand up to some splashing, too.

• Available colors: 10

Help ensure your shower is as safe as can be with these anti-slip shower stickers. They come in a range of colors and feature a wavy design that’s not only fun to look at but helps to cover more surface area, too. The strips have a textured surface to increase traction and even come with a silicone scraper for smooth application.

• Available colors: 6

Knives are responsible for many a kitchen accident, so tackle your meal prep with this vegetable chopper and slicer instead. It features a range of interchangeable blade plates, allowing you to dice, chop, julienne, and more without getting your fingers near a sharp edge. Better yet, all of your trimmings land straight in the collection bin below for easier cleanup.

• Available colors: 3

Help prevent mishaps from wobbly dressers and other bulky furniture with these anti-tip furniture anchors. They’re made from sturdy stainless steel and secure your item to the wall with heavy-duty metal cables. They can support a staggering 400 pounds of weight and are built to withstand storms and earthquakes for added peace of mind.

• Available colors: 2

If you’ve got a staircase with no railing, you need this handrail for outdoor steps to help keep your home safer. It comes with all the screws and anchors you’ll need to install it, and thanks to the wide base plate, it can support up to 500 pounds of pressure. And since it comes in both classic black and white finishes, it’s bound to mesh well with the surroundings.

• Available colors: 2

Keep an eye on your home even when you’re not around with this compact smart security camera. It boasts a 1080-pixel display and offers live, remote access with the corresponding app as well as motion-activated alerts. As one Amazon user wrote, “Easy to [set] up and use, and video quality and sound are good. Excellent value compared to higher priced cameras (these work better than more expensive ones I have tried).”

• Available colors: 2

This stair step storage basket is the perfect solution to a pesky safety problem. Thanks to the unique, right-angle design of the basket, it fits perfectly over your stairs just like a puzzle piece. It can then become the go-to collection point for loose shoes and other small items that could otherwise become a serious tripping hazard. It’s easy to move around thanks to the built-in handles, too.

• Available colors: 3

These color-coded cutting boards are the perfect way to help prevent foodborne illnesses. Each board comes labeled with a food type or category like produce or seafood in the top corner, so you’ll never forget what you last used it for, thereby cutting down on the risk of cross contamination. The built-in juice groove around the perimeter is great for mess-free cleanup, too.

In some cases, electricity surges can lead to electrical fires or ruined devices, so protect your home with this outlet extender and surge protector. It enhances your powering capability while still offering you protection and peace of mind. It boasts an impressive five AC outlets as well as three USB ports and one USB-C port for enhanced functionality. Better yet, it just screws right in over your existing plate.

• Available colors: 3

You’ll never have to worry about changing the batteries on this freezer meter, because it relies entirely on ice and gravity to function. If temperatures in your freezer get dangerously warm, the ball inside the ice-filled chamber of the thermometer will plummet as the ice melts — this gives you a clear indication that your food may have spoiled. Just use the included strap to hang it upright from a shelf.

A tangled hose on the ground can make for a tripping hazard, so neaten things up with this garden hose holder. It’s made from heavy-duty iron and comes with all the screws and anchors you’ll need to mount it. The sturdy, squared-off shelf makes it large enough to support hoses up to 100 feet long, too.

Never accidentally serve expired leftovers again thanks to these dissolvable food container labels. They allow you to record the date you cooked or stored an item, as well as set an expiration date, so you know when to toss things. And since they magically dissolve in about 30 seconds when you run them under water, you can keep reusing your storage containers without leaving any residue behind.

A dull knife can be more risky to use than a sharp one, so keep your blades in pristine condition with this knife sharpener. Not only does it have a nonslip base for stability as you work, it also has a V-shaped cutout that lets you secure it on a counter edge for even more traction. The sharpener has slots for both coarse and fine edges, allowing you to sharpen up even serrated blades.

• Available colors: 3

Loose wires can easily become a safety hazard, so help prevent tripping with this floor cable cover. Simply thread cables through the hollow center to create a subtle, domed covering that’s easy to walk over. The cover measures 6 feet long but can easily be trimmed to your desired length.

• Available colors: 5

This automatic soap dispenser is here to help your hygiene routine. After all, if you’ve got dirty hands, the last thing you want to do is wipe those germs all over the pump when you’re trying to get some soap. Just wave your hands underneath the sensor and it will automatically dispense a pre-measured amount. And since it’s generously sized, you won’t be constantly refilling it, either.

Tidy up your entryway and make a stylish statement with this freestanding shoe rack. It’s made from bamboo, which gives it an earthy, organic look. It boasts three tiers of storage, making it an excellent way to get clutter off the floor ASAP, so you don’t trip on it later. It boasts a stackable design so you can connect multiple units to create a taller version as well.

• Available colors: 4