Simple activities:

1. Think about each room in your home....what ways can you be more cautious, concerned and consume less in each?

2. Think about everything in your yard...what could be hazardous or wasteful, what can you do to protect it?

3. Think about products you buy to bring into your home, is everything safe and efficient, are you using too much packaging, too many disposables or the unhealthy chemicals?

4. Draw your own picture of your home...mark the areas you can be more careful. Post it for the whole family to see.

Ideas and tips to help you conserve and preserve in every room at home! 

In General, Be Careful With Things You Use and Don't Abuse!

• GAS , Electric and Water
• Read all labels before you use and when you buy
• Remember: Think Green!
• PRECYCLE!

Home:

• Dress warmer and wear more clothing or heavier materials to use less heat
• Dress cooler and wear less or lighter material clothing to reduce air conditioning consumption
• Close doors and windows tight, so heat or ac does not seep out. 
• Don't leave doors open longer than it takes to get in or out
• Turn of lights off right after you finish with them
• Have mom or dad buy auto shut off switches for the hallways or mud room
• Use natural daylight as much as possible
• Use alternative sources of heat some of the time such as Fire in the hearth
• Keep the thermostat lower (heat) Higher (AC)
• Use the automatic setting on your thermostat
• Cover the bottom of doors where air comes in with a rug or door guard
• Use heavier drapes and shades to keep heat in
• Make sure all windows, doors, switch plates etc have proper weather stripping
• Fill empty space in your freezer with milk bottles of water (uses less energy)!
• Think about how often you use indoor and outdoor appliances etc, such as grills, lawnmowers, sprinklers etc.
• Get an energy audit

Kitchen

• Don't leave the refrigerator door open decide what you wan to eat before you open it! 
• Turn of lights and appliances right after you finish with them 
• Don't open the refrigerator door more than you need to
• Use cloth napkins instead of paper for towels, napkins etc.
• Use regular dishes instead of paper or plastic disposables
• Wash many things in the sink or dishwasher at the same time
• Us the short rinse cycle on your dishwasher.

Water:

• Shut the water tight after use
• Don't use water while brushing your teeth, just rinse with it
• Take shorter showers
• Soap up first then rinse in the shower
• Soap your hands before rinsing
• Take baths instead of showers (you use less water)
• Reuse water....to water plants...can you think of other ways?
• Collect rain water to water your garden
• Wash clothes in larger loads
• Use outdoor showers and cold water in summer (if you have one)
• Make sure the water filter in your fridge is clean
• Use a water saving toilet or water saving measures

Air Quality:

• Have proper ventilation
• Air out
• Be careful what you use when using cleaners, aerosols, paint, solvents
• Keep vents and filters clean
• Open the flu when you use the fireplace!
• Never burn charcoal or use a hibachi in your fireplace
• Watch for moisture and mold
• Wash bedding in hot water above 130 degrees F
• Clean often
• Vacuum rugs often
• Never use un vented kerosene or gas space heaters
• Replace things that contain asbestos, lead paint, radon
• Careful of un vented gas stove and range
• Garage: watch for car and small engine exhaust
• Yard: Curb usage of pesticides and fertilizers
• Pets: Let animals outside and bathe them often

Leisure

• Read books instead of watching TV or playing electronic games
• Don't leave computers, televisions or other electronics on when not in use
• Don't put furniture or large objects such as toys in front of radiators
• Use a night light to read
• When you go away unplug any unnecessary electronics with clocks stereos, microwave and Clock Radios etc

Trash:

• Use recycle bins to separate trash
• Don't throw anything unnecessary in the trash, freecycle, give it away!
• Fold all cardboard containers and boxes (like cereal),
• Flatten toilet paper and paper towel rolls, to recycle
• Homework and office papers and junk mail can be recycled
• Check for hazardous materials-bring those to the hazardous materials site in your town

We are sure you can think of many other home saving, Earth friendly ideas!

Now be healthy inside: Food Precaution Ideas and Nutrition ideas!