Earth Saving Tips from Earth Share

Itís back-to-school time. Why not help make the earth part of every lesson plan? The environment can be integrated into nearly every academic subject: English, math, science, history, geography, current events, even physical education. Whether you are a parent or teacher, here are tips to make every school day Earth Day.

• Use simple explanations. Try to find real-life examples of things kids can relate to. Help bring lessons to life through everyday activities at home, at school, and in the local community.

• Give positive steps to take. Kids get frustrated if they canít solve a problem. Show them what they can do in their lives. Praise or reward their green actions much as you might other responsible behavior.

• Get outside. Visit a park, science center, landfill, recycling plant, zoo, or any other place to help learn about environmental issues firsthand.

• Admit what you donít know. Itís okay to shrug your shoulders when you canít explain something. (Even the scientists donít have all the answers.) Most environmental problems are very complex. It might be an opportunity for you to find answers together.

• Avoid scare tactics. While environmental problems may be serious, thereís no need to scare kids into action. Instead, empower them to take action.

Where can you learn about the environment from a kidís perspective? Here are ten Web sites that even parents can understand:

• Earth2Kids (www.earth2kids.org), from Environmental Defense, offers kidsí art, poems, games, and resources for teachers and parents.

• Earthforce (www.earthforce.org) is a national youth organization that empowers kids to help solve local environmental problems.

• EduGreen (edugreen.teri.res.in) covers air pollution and energy issues, allowing kids to learn through games, poems, stories, and an ask-an-expert feature.

• Explorers Club (www.epa.gov/kids) offers games, pictures, stories, and activity books, from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

• GreenScreen (www.greenscreen.org) features environmental education by kids, for kids.

• Kidlink (www.kidlink.org) is a network for kids through age 15. It links 110,000 young people around the world to discuss problems and work together to solve them.

• Kids for Saving Earth (www.kidsforsavingearth.org), offers preschoolers through teenagers things they can do to help care for the earth.

• Planetpals Earthzone (www.planetpals.com) offers card games, a free recycle kit to print, coloring book, and lots of interesting facts.

• Ranger Rickís Kid Zone (www.nwf.org/kids), from the National Wildlife Federation, focuses on water, wetlands, endangered species, and more. Also: EarthSavers (www.nwf.org/earthsavers) a national network of 3,500 elementary school clubs.

• Recycle City (www.epa.gov/recyclecity) shows kids what happens to garbage and why recycling is important. Includes a game and other activities.

• Always store pesticides and other chemicals, including chlorine bleach, out of childrenís reach ó preferably in a locked cabinet.

• Before applying pesticides or other chemicals, remove kids and their toys (and pets, too) from the area. Keep them away until the pesticide has dried.

• If your use of a pesticide or household chemical is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), properly reclose the container and remove it from childrenís reach.

• Never transfer pesticides to containers that children may associate with food or drink (like soda bottles).

• When applying insect repellents to children, do not apply over cuts or irritated skin; do not apply to eyes, mouth, hands, directly on the face, or under clothing.

• Wash childrenís hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often, and regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces to reduce potential exposure to lead dust.

For more information on pesticide safety, visit Beyond Pesticides (www.beyondpesticides.org), call the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network at 800-858-7378, or look in the phone book under ìPoison Control Centers.î

• Fix engine problems like hard starts, rough idling, stalling, and poor power. A tune-up can be a life saver as well as a gas saver.

• Check and replace dirty filters ó air, fuel, PCV, etc. ó which can increase fuel use.

• Scrape off battery corrosion and clean its surfaces. If itís more than four years old, consider replacing it.

• Have your cooling system flushed and a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze added.

• Cooling system hoses and fan belts can deteriorate with age, but are easy and inexpensive to replace.

• As it gets cold, add fuel de-icer to the gas at every fillup. Try to keep at least a half-tank of gas at all times to prevent water condensation, which can block gas flow and waste gas and money.

• Check and rotate tires and check tire pressure regularly to improve gas mileage and safety on slippery roads.