Make your Home Healthy

Your home should be a haven, safe and comfortable. And it can be, as long as you make smart selections and decisions, both big and small. Whether you're renovating, decorating, or just deciding which lightbulbs or candles to buy, you can create a space that's better for you and the environment.

There are several simple ideas you can implement to make your living room, kitchen, backyard or any other room in your home a healthier sanctuary for you and your family. Here's what to do:
Today, conserving energy is essential. Always turn off lights when you leave rooms; it actually takes less energy to turn them back on than to let them burn continuously. Assess the other energy "vampires" lurking in your home, such as hair dryers and cell phone and MP3 chargers. Even when not in use, their external power supplies -- the parts that make chargers bulkier than traditional plugs -- continually consume electricity. The solution? Either unplug them, or plug them all into a power strip and switch off the entire strip whenever possible. Also, unplug small appliances when they're not in use.
Don't overcool your refrigerator. Use a thermometer to check the settings: The fridge should rest between 37 and 40 degrees, and the freezer, between 0 and 5 degrees. Scrape, but don't rinse, dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, unless you're not running it right away (in which case, you should rinse briefly with cool water). Set your home computer to go into "sleep" mode after a short period of inactivity, instead of relying on a screensaver, which will still draw a lot of power.
If you are painting or want to apply a finish or stain, try to find a natural product. Many products contain toxic chemicals and can act as deadly pollutants.
Avoid using chemical air fresheners and instead use Pot pourri, baking soda, or just simply open the windows which will help to reduce toxic fumes that may be building up indoors.. You can also try homemade air freshening recipes, like Vinegar, Cinnamon and Cloves.

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