Popular Mechanics presents an all-color, essential guide to protecting home, hearth, and family. With accessible information on childproofing, environmental contaminants (such as radon), and securing the house from intruders, it could be the most important book on your shelf.

Most accidents happen at home, but these 125 hints, tips, and simple how-to techniques will make any home much safer. From childproofing a space to dealing with environmental contaminants, everything is covered, along with the handiest, most economical fix for every problem. A full chapter deals directly with safeguarding children and infants. Grateful parents will become aware of dangers they probably overlooked--including malfunctioning garage doors and surprise drowning hazards, such as 5-gallon buckets. They'll also appreciate the advice on crib safety, lead poisoning, burns, and taking the proper precautions with electrical outlets, stoves, and firearms. And there's lots of information on adult safety, too. Help prevent fires that can start due to faulty fixtures, holiday decorations, candles, and combustible materials, and lessen fire's potential for harm by correctly mounting smoke detectors, installing sprinkler systems, and planning an escape route in advance. Correct dangerous electrical and plumbing problems, get smart crime-prevention suggestions, and see what to do in case of an environmental emergency. The room-by-room tips show how to increase accessibility for anyone physically challenged. This is one manual no family can do without.