15 Common Items With Hidden Health Risks BY PERRI O. BLUMBERG AND MARISSA LALIBERTE ( COURTECY;-READER’S DIGEST )

When do sneakers cause injury or smoke alarms go bad? Read our guide for when to throw them and other common products in the trash.

Worn-out sneaker

HALFPOINT/SHUTTERSTOCKRunning 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.

Smoke alarms

KANOWA/SHUTTERSTOCKAfter ten years, smoke detectors won't reliably warn of fire. Change them once a decade. Also key: Place alarms in and outside every bedroom and on each level of the home, and change batteries yearly. Learn about 15 ways technology can make you sick.

Old saline solution and medications

PAVEL KUBARKOV/SHUTTERSTOCKEven unopened saline solution and drugs can quickly become less potent past their expiration dates. Toss 'em.

Water-pitcher filter

VLADIMIR SUKHACHEV/SHUTTERSTOCKMost 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. Watch out for these other things in your home that could hurt your health.

Pesticides more than two years old

BONNONTAWAT/SHUTTERSTOCKThe chemicals in old pesticides may not work as well, and worn-out containers are more apt to break, putting you at risk for exposure to toxins. Check earth911.com for information on where to safely dispose of pesticides. Find out about more surprising things that could cause cancer.

Kitchen sponge

SUNCITY/SHUTTERSTOCKThat “cleaning” tool might not be so clean after all. A study in the journal Scientific Reports found that sponges harbor a surprising amount of bacteria, and cleaning them won’t help much. That means you’re scrubbing your dishes with even more germs. Yuck! Replace your sponge once a week to avoid illness. Don't miss these other 16 items you didn't know had expiration dates.

Mattress

SVETLANA CHERRUTY/SHUTTERSTOCKIf you have allergies, your safe haven for sleep might actually trigger symptoms. Dust mites love snuggling into mattresses and bedding, so use an airtight plastic cover on your mattress if you’re prone to sneezing. Make sure you know these 11 other ways your house could make you sick.

Extension cords

JIM BARBER/SHUTTERSTOCKUsing an extension cord incorrectly could cause a fire or electric shock. Before plugging in an appliance, make sure the cord is designed to handle its wattage, and never use an extension cord for more than one appliance, warns the Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Fridge shelves

ANDREW RAFALSKY/SHUTTERSTOCKDon’t limit “cleaning out the fridge” to polishing off leftover pizza. The 2013 NSF International Germ Study found that vegetable drawers of fridges are one of the dirtiest places in a home, harboring Salmonella, Listeria, mold, and more. The group recommends giving the drawer a good scrub at least once a month.

Sunscreen

5 SECOND STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCKHigh temperatures degrade sunscreen, meaning that after a season of sunny days by the pool, it won’t block as many UV rays as a fresh bottle. To avoid the burn, buy new sunblock every year. Here are 16 more things smart homeowners do once a year.

Helmets

VACLAV MACH/SHUTTERSTOCKA helmet is only designed to withstand one crash, so replace yours if it’s already protected you from one head injury. Sweat and the elements can also wear it down, so replace yours every two to four years, depending on how often you get on your bike.

Oven cleaner

FOTOSR52/SHUTTERSTOCKOven cleaners contain corrosive chemicals such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to attack stubborn spills. Unfortunately, they can also wreak havoc on your system, causing symptoms like breathing difficulty even if you just breathe it in or eat food that came in contact with the cleaner. Wear gloves and safety glasses, and keep the room ventilated when using store-bought oven cleaners, or skip them entirely and use DIY cleaners with a little elbow grease. Plus, avoid these 11 cooking mistakes that can make your food toxic.

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Contact lens case

TATIANA KOCHKINA/SHUTTERSTOCKUsed incorrectly, contacts and their cases can introduce dangerous bacteria to your eyes. Only use solution—not water—to rinse your contacts and their case, and get a new case every three months to avoid contamination. Here are 16 more everyday things that pose huge health risks.