Past L.E.A.F.™ Eco-Tips of the Month

Winter Bird Care

Offer several types of feeders and food to attract and feed many types of birds in the winter months. Small tubular feeders are good for small bird species, while flat platform types of feeders are good for most all species of birds, especially larger ones that prefer to sit and eat.
Offer clean water daily. Water is as important during the winter as it is during the summer.
Dust baths are taken by some species of birds throughout the year. Place a flat platform on or near the ground and put equal parts of ash, sand and dirt for the birds to use to bathe.

Preparing for Fall

Clean your home air filter or change it once a month.

Check your rake and other home tools for wear and repair if needed. Oil if needed and store in a dry place if they won't be used until spring.

Plant fall cover crops if the growing season is over. Think about planting cool weather crops, such as lettuce, for a late harvest.

Prepare a mulching container if you don't have one. You can also buy them at home centers. Mulching the fallen leaves instead of burning them saves the air and gives you rich nutrients to use on your garden next spring.

Dangers to Your Household Pets

Common household cleaners such as bleach and detergent should be stored in a locked cabinet and well away from roaming paws. (Animals have been known to open cabinets.) Do not forget your yard fertilizer and antifreeze as well!

Certain plants can cause sickness or death if eaten by your pet.

Exotic birds can be fatally allergic to non-stick surface fumes. The fumes are caused by cooking with the non-stick pans. Make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated if you have such birds and watch for signs of stress when using such products.

Mini blind cords can choke a playful pet. Shorten the cord or hang on a high peg after each use.

Cats can be choked to death by collars that are not specifically made to stretch or "break away" when caught on something. Check your cats' today.

Dog choke collars can choke your dog to death if caught on something when the collar is not fitted properly. Make sure your dogs' collar is the correct size.

Recycle

Utilize your local recycling programs whenever possible. You save energy by recycling from the curb.

Newspaper, glass, and plastic can be dropped off at most recycling sites.

Cardboard, aluminum cans, and magazines are purchased by some companies. Check to see if you have local companies that buy recyclables.

Vegetable scraps and leaves can be mulched to improve your garden. There is no need to fill landfills with useable waste.

Test Your Refrigerator Seals to Save Energy!
How to test yours: hold a piece of newspaper halfway inside your refrigerator, (check the freezer, too!) and close the door. Pull on the newspaper. If it slides out easily, give the gasket a good cleaning with soapy water or replace it. If the gasket seal is tight enough, the newspaper will tear as you try to pull it out. This is an easy way to save energy and help the environment.

Ways to Conserve Water

Turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth.

Set a garbage pail outside to catch rain water with which to water your plants.

Purchase a water-saving toilet or place a half-gallon milk jug full of water (or any container that will fit) inside the top tank of your toilet. This conserves the amount of water displaced every time you flush.

Replace any leaky faucet's gaskets. Leaky faucets can waste gallons of water a day!

Ways to Conserve Energy

Turn off lights as you leave the room.

Set your thermostate to 68 degrees in the winter and 72 degrees in the summer. Each degree above or below those settings increases your energy bill (in the US) by 10 percent.

Close the doors and vents to room(s) not regularly in use. You will not be heating/cooling these room(s), thus saving energy.

Keep your automobile's tires inflated to the manufacturer's specifications. This saves gasoline every time you drive and the tires last longer.

Pretend there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal when accelerating your automobile. Fast starts waste gasoline.

Drive the posted speed limit to conserve gasoline.

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