TAP INTO WATER CONSERVATION Ahhh, spring! It's time to think about gardening and spring cleaning and maybe even filling the pool, if you use one. It's also time to think about water. Water is one of our most precious resources, yet it is easy to waste. By conserving water we can keep plenty of clean water on tap for our health and well-being. And save money, too. Here are some water-saving tips: Around the House - Install a toilet dam or bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to cut down on the amount of water used for each flush. Be sure these devices do not interfere with operating parts. - Install covers on pools and spas to avoid water evaporation. - Insulate hot water pipes so you don't have to run as much water to get hot water to the faucet. - Don't use running water to thaw food. - Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks. - Water plants only when necessary. More plants die from over- watering than from under-watering. - Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up. - Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and can save more than 600 gallons a month. - When shopping for a new washing machine or dishwasher, look for models offering a range of settings. They will save water, energy, and money. MORE WATER-SAVING TIPS In the Garden - Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass retains water better. - Water in the early morning, when temperatures are cooler, to minimize evaporation. - Check your sprinkler system regularly and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. - Collect and use rainwater for watering your garden. - Direct downspouts or gutters toward shrubs or trees. - Install a drip irrigation system around your trees and shrubs to water more efficiently. Cleaning Up - Install low-flow showerheads. They're cheap, easy to install, and can save hundreds of gallons a week. - Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when full. You could save 1,000 gallons a month. - Soak pots and pans rather than let them sit under running water while you scrape them clean. - Turn off water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute - that's 10,000 gallons a year for a family of four. - Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk. You could save up to 80 gallons of water every time. - Use a commercial car wash that recycles its water. FACT: Nearly 97% of the Earth's water is salt water. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% as fresh water suitable for farming, recreation, manufacturing, washing, and drinking. PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM POISONS Whether you are doing spring cleaning or toiling in the garden, here are some simple steps that can help save you from environmental hazards around the home: - Always store pesticides and other chemicals out of children's reach - preferably in a locked cabinet. - Read directions carefully. Pesticides, household cleaners, and pet products can be dangerous or ineffective if too much or too little is used. - When spraying chemicals inside the home, be sure to open windows and allow for proper ventilation. - Before applying pesticides or other chemicals, remove children, toys, and pets from the area. No one should return to the area until the chemicals have dried and the smell dissipated. - If your use of a pesticide or chemical is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), re-close the container and remove it from children's reach. - Never transfer pesticides to other containers that kids may associate with food or drink (like soda bottles). - When applying insect repellents to children, do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. Do not apply to eyes, mouth, hands, or directly on the face. Use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothing. - Wash children's hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often, and regularly clean floors, windowsills, and other surfaces to reduce potential exposure to lead dust. - When buying or renting a house or apartment built before 1978, ask about lead hazards. Sellers and landlords are required to disclose them. MAKING FLEAS FLEE AND TICKS TAKE OFF Every spring and summer, fleas and ticks cause misery to people and animals. On pets, they can spread disease and parasitic infections. Bored with frolicking in fur, they may decide to feast on humans. Ouch! How do you get rid of them - without harming your family or the earth? Here are some tips: - Most commercial flea and tick sprays contain carbaryl, which works by attacking pests' nervous systems. But carbaryl also can harm developing fetuses in both animals and humans. - Fortunately, there are less-toxic alternatives. For example, some pesticides contain pyrethrin, a natural ingredient made from chrysanthemums. It works just as well, though it still should be used with care. - Many pesticides don't affect insects' eggs and larvae, which represent 95% of the flea population. That may require a kind of pesticide called a "growth regulator." They keep eggs from becoming adults. - Another way to keep fleas off pets is to add garlic and brewer's yeast to pets' meals, which makes pets taste bad to bugs. Many such products are sold in pet supply stores. But pets may need to take these remedies for several weeks before they work. - Don't overlook the basics. Keep your pet clean. Use a fine-toothed flea comb on your pet to remove existing fleas. And don't forget to dust and vacuum regularly. Fleas simply hate clean homes. FACT: For every flea found on your pet, there may be as many as 100 more lurking nearby! Earth Share, a federation of America's leading non-profit environmental and conservation charities, promotes environmental education and charitable giving in employee workplace giving campaigns. For more tips or to find out how your workplace can help the earth, visit Earth Share's Web site at www.earthshare.org, call 800.875.3863, or send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] 3400 International Drive,N.W.,Suite 2K,Washington,D.C.20008
