You can't see, taste or smell it, but it can pose a serious threat to your family's health. Radon can seep into your home from underground and build up to a dangerous level if trapped indoors.

The best way to tell if you have radon in your home is to test it. Every home should be tested regardless of whether it's new, old or been tested before.

Angie’s List went to its highly-rated experts on radon detection and reduction for information on how to keep your family safe.

Quick facts about radon:

• It's a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. It enters the home through cracks in floors and walls and becomes trapped inside. Radon levels then build up over time.
• Radon is measure in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The EPA recommends that homes with radon levels at 4 pCi/L or higher be fixed.
• Radon can be found anywhere in the U.S.; anywhere in your house.
• It is present in nearly all air. However, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, people who inhale high levels of radon are at an increased risk for developing lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
• The presence of radon in the home is preventable.  

Test your home:

• The only way to tell if you have a problem is to perform a test.
• Testing can be done in one of two ways: you can buy a testing kit at your local hardware store for usually less than $25. Make sure to check that the test meets EPA requirements and follow the directions carefully. Most tests take two days. After the test, you typically seal the detector back in the package and mail it to a lab.
• Or you can contact a licensed radon testing company. A professional can provide feedback immediately after the test.
• Because radon levels fluctuate, the EPA recommends a follow up test before fixing your home. If the second test confirms high levels of radon, (4 pCi/L or higher) choose a qualified radon contractor to fix your home. If you decide to do the work yourself, check first with the EPA on training courses and information.
• You should test for radon every couple of years or every time you remodel your home, or if you are buying or selling a home.

Tips to hire a qualified radon service professional to test or fix your radon problem:

• The right mitigation system depends on many factors, including the design of your home. A system with a vent pipe and fan is typically used to reduce radon.
• Check radon detection and reduction reviews on Angie's List (www.angieslist.com).
• Many states certify or license radon contractors. Call your state health or environmental management agency's radon office for information about qualified service providers in your state.
• Get more than one estimate in person because every house is different and hire a company who will install the system according to EPA’s recommended standards.
• Find someone who will stand by the work and service it. Find a contractor who promotes post-mitigation testing and provides a guarantee to get the levels at least below 4 pCi/L.
• Installing a radon control system normally takes one day. Costs vary from $700-$2,000, but complicated systems can cost up to $3,000. Pricing depends on whether there is a crawlspace, septic drainfield, or sump pump. The amount of piping needed to run the system correctly is also a factor in the cost.

• Lumber for deck and fencing projects is usually cheaper in the winter.
• Buy plants late in the season.
  
• Consider starting perennials from seed.
  
• Buy bare-root stock for shrubs or bushes.
  
• Buy wholesale through your landscaper and look for better prices online and in catalogs.
  
• Buy in bulk and ask neighbors and friends to share the costs on plants, mulch and other items.
  

• Winter is a great time to have your trees trimmed. You might also save a little money by calling before the spring rush.

• Set your water heater to 120 degrees – it will be more energy-efficient and still produce enough hot water for daily needs.
• If your furnace is older than 10 years, it’s likely only 60-percent to 70-percent-efficient – meaning you lose about 45 cents of every dollar you pay to heat your home. Most new furnaces are more than 80-percent-efficient.
  
• Programmable thermostats cost $100 to $150, and allow you to automate your room temperature when you’re home and away.
  
• Save 10 percent or more on your energy bill by sealing air leaks around windows and doors. An easy test is to hold a lit stick of incense around windows and doors; drafts will cause the smoke to drift with the current.
  
• When you turn your AC on, don’t set it cooler than normal, just to speed up the relief. Your home won’t cool down any faster, and you’ll over-cool and waste energy

• May, June and July are the busiest months. Save money - and time - by hiring outside of this peak season.

• Summer is peak season for movers so try to move during the off months. If that’s not possible, schedule your move for mid-week instead of the weekend.

Cars

• Regular maintenance such as tune-ups, oil changes and tire rotations go a long way toward preventing breakdowns before they happen.
• Routine maintenance will not only boost your vehicle’s reliability and resale value but also save fuel.

Though prices are dropping, HDTVs are still a big investment and will require repairs eventually. Keep these tips in mind when shopping for your next HDTV:

Interior Lighting

• Consider the various activities that will occur in the room you’re lighting. Use general lighting for entertaining and watching television, task lighting for reading or sewing and accent lighting for artwork and plants.
• If you’re unsure how much lighting the room will require, plan to “over light” and install dimmers.
• Rarely does one overhead light cut it in the kitchen these days – consider the cabinets, sink, island and other work stations.
• Adequate lighting in the bathroom is critical. Task lighting is recommended for the vanity, but stay away from recessed lights as they’ll cause dark shadows on your face. And don’t forget the shower or tub.
• Chandeliers or pendant lights should be hung 30” above the table surface.
• Drown a small room in recessed lighting to make it feel bigger.
• If you purchase a fixture with three-way lighting, don’t forget to purchase a three-way bulb.
• Dimming controls allow you to design the lighting to suit each mood and activity.
• Energy-saving fluorescents give off more light than the energy they consume compared to incandescents. They’re more expensive up front, but will last 10 times longer than traditional bulbs.

Outdoor Lighting

• Outdoor lighting enhances the beauty of your property, makes your home safer and more secure and can extend the amount of time you enjoy outdoors.
  
• A common mistake homeowners make is buying outdoor fixtures that are too small. A good rule of thumb is they should be one-quarter the height of your entry door.
  
• If flanking both sides of your front door, the fixture can be a little smaller; think bigger if you’re just lighting one side however.
  
• Motion detector lights are a great option for lesser-used paths, providing security and visibility when needed, but without the price tag of constant use. Solar options are also available to illuminate paths away from an electrical connection.
  
• Look for rust resistant coatings on outdoor fixtures, like cast aluminum.

1. Planning: Take a few minutes to walk around your house and observe the shape of your house inside and out.
2. Budgeting: Start with projects that you can afford, and make sure the money you spend will add value to your home.
3. Executing: Timing is key in projects. Factor in what season you’ll be doing the work or what time of year may be the best time to get on a contractor’s schedule if you’re hiring out the project.
   

1. Start Small: Tackle the smaller jobs first because you’ll more likely finish the project.
2. Wants vs. needs: Make a list of projects that “need” to get done. Finish those first, then move on to your “wants”.
   
3. Safety concerns: Handle any projects that could affect your family’s safety. Do you have water damage or faulty plumbing? Leaking water should be a priority because it could cause structural problems down the road. Also, check to make sure your smoke alarms are working and childproof your home.
   
4. Upgrades: Perform projects that reduce energy and water consumption. This will save you money in the long run.
   
5. Small tasks, big rewards: Make easy, low-cost improvements that can offer significant results such as painting a room, or changing a light fixture.
   
6. Tedious Jobs: Polish off repairs that have been a nuisance, or that you have been putting off such as that squeaky floor and leaky faucet.
   
7. Pest Control: Check for the insect kind or the small furry ones. Sealing your home and lawn against pests in an important home maintenance item.
   
8. Cosmetic: Fix that hole in the wall, repair molding, or add a splash of color to your walls.
   
9. Curb Appeal: Improvements to the home’s exterior will make it more inviting. Get a new front door or spruce up the landscaping.
   
10. Stay positive: Don’t get discouraged. Just remember not to get too overwhelmed or you’ll never see the project through. At the end of the year, you’ll have a lot to look back on.

• Bring a friend. Not only is there an instant comfort level because you’re not going it alone, but you can also help keep each other motivated to stick to your routine.
• Health benefits are a priority. Think of working out like brushing your teeth - it's a must every day. Even if you can only get in one workout each week, do it – one workout is better than nothing.
  
• Don't make stringent goals early on – just get moving. Start slow and do a little at a time. You don't have to spend a long period of time working out each day. Take advantage of 15-minute windows.
  
• Don't judge a success or failure on one week – just get the workout in. Set short-term goals that are achievable.
  
• Be selfish about working out – putting yourself first and taking time to exercise will help you be a better spouse, parent and employee.
  
• Schedule your workout for the same time every day so it becomes a regular habit.
  
• Work out in the morning. Most people have better success if they're early morning exercisers because there are fewer things to interrupt you or keep you from going to the gym.
  
• Commit yourself to a group fitness class so you’ll feel more obligated to attend.