Most of the real safety and hygiene risks at home hide in plain sight, inside devices you assume will last for years. I find that the biggest offenders are items that quietly degrade, so you do not notice the danger until something fails. These five home devices are perfect examples you should be replacing far more often than you probably do.
Smoke detectors
Smoke detectors are the definition of a “set it and forget it” device, yet experts warn that approach is risky. Guidance on smoke and carbon safety notes that First Alert recommends replacing smoke alarms every 10 years and installing them on every level of the home and outside each bedroom. Even if the test button still beeps, the internal sensor can lose sensitivity long before the plastic shell yellows or cracks.
Other reporting on smoke alarms and underscores that nothing in this category lasts forever, especially in homes exposed to cooking grease or dust. I see the stakes most clearly for older adults, who are already at higher risk of injury if a fire breaks out at night. Treating a 10‑year replacement as non‑negotiable, and logging the install date on the unit itself, turns a forgotten ceiling puck into a reliably life‑saving device.
Carbon monoxide detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors age on a similar schedule, but the stakes are arguably even higher because the gas is invisible and odorless. Advice on smoke & carbon stresses that these devices should never be “left to chance,” and that replacement, not just battery changes, is essential. Many plug‑in or combination units have a printed “replace by” date, which I recommend treating as a hard deadline rather than a suggestion.
Because carbon monoxide can build up from furnaces, gas stoves, or attached garages, a failed detector turns everyday routines into a serious health risk. Safety guidance for older residents that urges people to Improve safety inside makes the same broader point: Our homes age too, and devices that have “been there for many years without any problems” can quietly become hazards. Replacing carbon monoxide detectors every 7 to 10 years, as manufacturers typically advise, is a straightforward way to close that gap.
Surge protectors
Surge protectors are another device that most people keep until the plastic cracks or an outlet loosens, long after the internal components have worn out. Coverage of Devices Around Your highlights surge protectors specifically, warning that a power strip sitting behind a TV or desk can silently lose its ability to absorb voltage spikes. Once that happens, it still powers your gear but no longer shields it from a surge.
Because Homeowners use a of electrical systems every day, the “wear and tear” on surge protectors is constant, especially in areas with frequent brownouts or storms. I advise treating surge strips as sacrificial equipment: if they are older than five years, or have taken a major hit during an outage, replacing them is cheaper than losing a television, gaming console, or work laptop to the next spike.
Home air filters
Home air filters, whether in a furnace, central AC, or standalone purifier, clog far faster than most people realize. A widely shared list of Home’s Air Filters notes that if you do not replace filters regularly, dust and allergens recirculate and your system has to work harder. Many manufacturers recommend swapping standard 1‑inch filters every 1 to 3 months, with more frequent changes in homes with pets or smokers.
Beyond comfort, there is a cost and safety dimension. Clogged filters strain blower motors, which can shorten the life of expensive HVAC equipment and, in extreme cases, contribute to overheating. Guidance on normal wear and explains that everyday operation gradually degrades systems, and filters are designed to be the cheap, replaceable part of that equation. Marking a calendar or using a reminder app to track filter changes is a small habit that protects both indoor air quality and your largest mechanical investment.
Kitchen sponges
Kitchen sponges are technically not “devices,” but they function as essential cleaning tools and are notorious for outstaying their welcome. Guidance on Kitchen sponges points out that these porous pads collect food particles and moisture, creating ideal conditions for bacteria. The recommendation there is to replace them every one to two weeks, even if they look fine, because odor is a late sign that microbes have already taken hold.
Other lists of Household Items You echo that advice, noting that you should Aim to swap sponges on a schedule rather than waiting for them to fall apart. From a health perspective, this is about more than a slimy feel at the sink: a contaminated sponge can spread pathogens across cutting boards and dishes, undermining careful food safety practices. I suggest buying multipacks and writing the start date on the wrapper so it is easy to toss each sponge on time without a second thought.
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