All the Stuff in Your Home You Should Be Testing for Voltage
If you’ve ever experienced even a mild electrical shock, you know how powerful—and frightening—it can be. There are more than 50,000 electrical fires in the U.S. every year, and close…
The Best Lights to Help You Survive a Power Outage
Photo: Princess_Anmitsu (Shutterstock) Blackouts are basically inevitable. Unless your home is solar-powered, you can expect to be without electricity for a short period at least once a year (more often…
The Ryobi Storm Kit Is a Must-Have for Weather Emergencies
Being prepared for power outages caused by weather or other disasters is getting easier as battery technology improves—which is a good thing, because the weather keeps getting worse. Keeping devices…
Use a UPS to Keep Your Internet Running in a Brownout
Modern life in one’s home relies on one device above all else: your modem. So much of our lives revolves around connectivity—your TV streaming, your work Zooms, your email, your…
This EcoFlow Delta Portable Power Station Is $600 Off Right Now
Image: Ecoflow Anyone can carry a battery backup to recharge their phone—but what if you’re looking for a battery-powered generator that can power almost anything, from your laptop and tablet…
The Difference Between 2- and 3-Prong Electrical Plugs (and Why It Matters)
Unless you live in an older home with two-prong outlets, you probably don’t put much thought into plugging and unplugging electronic devices and appliances. But at some point, you’ve likely…
12 Things You Didn’t Realize Can Expire
Photo: Have a nice day Photo (Shutterstock) You should always replace a bike helmet after a crash, or any time it starts to show cracks or other signs of damage.…
How to Clean Your Electrical Outlets Without Killing Yourself
Photo: ungvar (Shutterstock) Most people wouldn’t necessarily think of cleaning an electrical outlet, what with the risk of shock and all—but they can get dusty just like anything else in…
Why You Should Never Make (or Even Buy) a Male-to-Male Extension Cord
Photo: TayaJohnston (Shutterstock) A recent Consumer Product Safety Commission alert is urging people to not use male-to-male power chords. In spite of being illegal, the product is available online with…
Can You Live 100% Off the Grid in a City or Suburb?
Photo: Simone Hogan (Shutterstock) Modern city life is kind of amazing—we can have burritos biked to our door and (usually) have reliable internet. But cities are built on a delicate…