[ShareTompkins] from the EPA: Cooking Down a Hot Summer

[Patricia Haines]

EPA's Fifteen Hot Tips for a Cool Summer


 Save money, water, energy while protecting health and encouraging
environmental learning


 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released today
a list of 15 tips for the summer season, which kicks off June 20th. Whether
relaxing at home or off exploring the great outdoors there are many ways
people can save money, cut energy costs and continue to protect the health
of their families while still enjoying the summer.

 Tips for a safe and enjoyable summer:

 1. Energy Star savings for your home: The average home spends almost 20
percent of its utility bill on cooling. These cooling bills can be lowered
by simply changing out incandescent light bulbs with EPA's Energy Star
qualified lighting, which use less energy and produce approximately 75
percent less heat. Raising your thermostat by only two degrees and using
your ceiling fan can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent too.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home

2. Increase your gas mileage: Obey the speed limit; go easy on the breaks
and avoid hard accelerations; reduce your time idling; and unload
unnecessary items in your trunk to reduce weight. If you're not using your
removable roof rack take it off to improve your fuel economy.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov

3. Prevent skin cancer and be SunWise: Skin cancer is the most common form
of cancer in the U.S. and is the most common cancer among 20 to
30-year-olds. Remember to practice safe sun habits.
http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/actionsteps.html

4. Heading to the beach? Check the water: Americans take almost two billion
trips to the beach every year. Beaches are a place to play, watch wildlife,
fish, and swim. Learn more on how to plan a safe trip to the beach and
check out state specific beach advisory and closing notifications.
http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/whereyoulive_state.cfm

5. Take EPA's apps with you on your smartphone: The AirNow app gives
location-specific current air quality information to use to protect your
health when planning daily activities and the Ultraviolet (UV) Index app
provides daily and hourly forecast of the UV radiation levels from the sun
so you can better prevent overexposure to the sun.
http://m.epa.gov/apps/index.html

6. Enjoy the outdoors and capture the State of the Environment: Almost 40
years ago, EPA's Documerica project captured thousands of images across the
nation as EPA’s work was just beginning. Now it’s your chance to mark the
progress and submit environmental photos to EPA's State of the Environment
photo project. http://blog.epa.gov/epplocations/about/

7. Protect yourself with insect repellents: Mosquitoes and ticks can carry
diseases but you can protect yourself by choosing the right repellent and
using it correctly. Read the product label before using; apply just enough
to cover exposed skin and clothing; and look for the protection time that
meets your needs. Children can use the same repellents as adults unless
there is a restriction on the label.
http://epa.gov/pesticides/insect/safe.htm

8. Water wisely: A large percentage of water we use at home is used
outdoors. As much as 30 percent of that outdoor water use can be wasted due
to evaporation by watering in the middle of the day. Water in the morning
when winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Look for the new WaterSense
labeled weather-based irrigation controller that uses local weather data to
determine whether your sprinkler system should turn on.
http://www.epa.gov/watersense

9. Clean greener: If you're going to wash the car, deck, boat, or RV– be
sure to look for the Design for the Environment (DfE) label to quickly
identify and choose cleaning products that are safer for families and also
help protect the environment. Look for the DfE label on grill cleaners as
well. http://www.epa.gov/dfe

10. Improve your indoor air: About 90 percent of people's time is spent
indoors. While inside this summer, make sure to free your house of mold,
test your home for radon, check your carbon monoxide detector and ask those
who smoke to go outdoors. http://www.epa.gov/iaq

11. Check into an Energy Star hotel: On average, America’s 47,000 hotels
spend more than $2,000 per available room each year on energy. Look for an
Energy Star certified hotel--they perform in the top 25 percent of hotels
nationwide, use an average of 35 percent less energy and emit an average of
35 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than peers.
http://www.energystar.gov/buildinglist

12. Waste less and remember to recycle: Each year, Americans generate
millions of tons of waste in homes and communities but it's easy to reduce,
reuse, and recycle. Recycled items such as glass can be used in roadway
asphalt (glassphalt) and recovered plastic can be used in carpeting and
park benches. Learn what you can do to waste less.
http://www.epa.gov/waste/wycd/summer.htm

13. Season firewood: Summer is a great time to season firewood in
preparation for fall and winter. Remember to split firewood to the proper
size for your wood stove or fireplace, but no larger than 6 inches in
diameter; stack firewood to allow air to circulate around it; cover the top
of the stack to protect it from the rain; and store your firewood for at
least 6 months before using it. http://www.epa.gov/burnwise

 14. Looking for a summer project and tired of the heat? Try composting:
Composting can be a fun and educational summer project that saves landfill
space, helps feed the soil and prevents methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm

15. Let summer inspire you and submit Six Words for the Planet: Keep the
creativity flowing beyond the school year and into the summer by submitting
a meaningful story or idea in just six words.
http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2012/04/sixwords/

 More local information from MyEnvironment:
http://www.epa.gov/myenvironment/

 More hot tips for a cool summer: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hi-summer.htm

 All year long you can Pick5 for the Environment: http://www.epa.gov/pick5/

 R105

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