![](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/house-dangers.jpg)
When do sneakers cause injury or smoke alarms become dangerous? And just how long have your prescriptions been expired? Follow this quick guide to ridding your home of unnecessary dangers.
![1. Worn-Out Sneakers](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/05sneaker_259.jpg)
1. Worn-Out Sneakers
Running or walking shoes that easily bend in half at the midsole may increase your risk of injury. Give them the boot. Remember, the average sneaker life span: 300 to 500 miles, or about six months.
![2. Smoke Alarms](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/smoke-alarmv.jpg)
2. Smoke Alarms
After a decade, smoke detectors won’t reliably warn of fire. Change them at once. Also key: Place alarms in and outside every bedroom and on each level of the home, and change batteries yearly.
![3. Medicine Cabinet Contents](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/medicine-cabinetv.jpg)
3. Medicine Cabinet Contents
Even unopened saline solution and medication can quickly become less potent past their expiration dates. Toss ’em. And high temperatures degrade sunscreen, so replace it once a year.
![4. Old Water-Pitcher Filters](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/waterv.jpg)
4. Old Water-Pitcher Filters
Most pitcher filters will remove contaminants from 40 gallons of water-about three months’ worth of normal use. After that, the filter is useless. Replace it.
Tip: No warning light or timer on your filter? Slow flow indicates it’s maxed out.
![5. Old Pesticides](https://www.readersdigest.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/pesticidev.jpg)
5. Old Pesticides
The chemicals in pesticides more than two years old may not work as well, and worn-out containers are more apt to break, putting you at risk for exposure to toxins.