For many families, summertime means warm weather trips
to the beach, cool camping trips and fun weekend getaways. Now that it's June, are your kids engaged in a variety of summertime camps, outdoor sports
activities and educational enrichment opportunities? Do you have enough action-packed plans to keep the kids busy until Labor Day?
If you worry about running out of engaging activities that
will keep your kids busy until it’s back to school time, The Energy Experts are
here with another idea. How about running a Do-It Yourself Eco-Friendly Family Camp
this summer? Try using some of The Energy Experts’ healthy, conservation-minded
activities to recharge your regular family routine with some new "green" additions. As you make those much-appreciated contributions to saving the
planet, you might even save a few dollars to spend on something fun for your family.
Here are a few summertime “green” suggestions for your family:
Pack an Eco-Friendly
Lunch: If lunch is for the office or the kids’ summer camp, prioritize
healthy choices with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. You can save time
in the morning by packing left-overs in the lunchbox right after dinner the
night before. Put it in the refrigerator and it’s ready to go the next morning.
Consider making extra amounts of food on Sunday to cover lunch for a few days.
Also, when packing that well-balanced lunch, remember to use a reusable
container and forget about plastic wrappers and bags.
Hike or Bike: Enjoy
the summer weather by walking or biking to your destination. Save gas, cut back
on greenhouse pollution and get your exercise outside of the gym. Often the
indoor air quality at the local gym is less than great. It’s summer, enjoy time
outdoors but use common sense in regards to heat and protection from the sun
and be sure to stay hydrated.
Pull the Plug: Before
you head off on your vacation or even a weekend getaway, don’t just turn off
your electronics, unplug those energy-draining “vampire” devices. These devices
are called vampires because they suck energy even when they aren’t in use.
Electronic devices such as TV’s, computers and video games can draw a
surprising amount of energy with their stand-by functions. Power adapters are
another culprit. Don’t forget to pull the plug on these vampires when you leave
for vacation.
Dressing for Summer Success:
Wearing the appropriate clothing is important not only in the winter, but
also in the summer. Don’t get a reputation for being one of those energy hogs who
sits around the house in shorts and turns on the furnace if they get a chill.
Put on a sweatshirt if you feel cold. Dress appropriately for the outdoor summer
heat by wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing in light colors. In the hot
summer sun, sometimes a bit of coverage is better and don’t forget the
sunscreen.
Trash Talking: Get
the entire family in the mindset of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The three “R’s”
are really important and a key element in keeping your home "green." Teach your
children the importance of recycling at a young age. Create a home recycling system
and label the location for paper, plastic and glass. If your community doesn’t
have curbside recycling service, look online for recycling information in your
area.
Lights Out: If
it’s morning, noon or night, don’t leave lights on if you are the last one to
leave the room. If the light isn’t being used, turn it off. The “lights out”
policy goes for your home, the office or even camp. Additionally, if you are
still using those old-school incandescent bulbs, consider making a clean sweep
through your home and replacing those wasteful bulbs with CFLs. Make it a game
with your kids – let’s see who can locate the most incandescent bulbs and the
family can switch them out. More energy and money will be saved!
The Energy Experts
Each month The Energy Experts present a Blog
that shares helpful information on a wide-range of topics that involve the
intersection of home and health. Are you concerned about energy savings, indoor
air quality, home comfort and family health issues? Then check in with The
Energy Experts each month for more valuable information on these important
topics.