Saturday, August 28, 2010

How green are you?

We can never discuss this topic too often. Just how much water do you see washing down the streets from irrigation systems set improperly. Are you trying to show you have money to burn or just rather have landscaper set it and not be bothered (The landscaper is not paying the bill). There really is no reason to set watering for 3-6 intervals a day. Get a grip on you utilization of our most precious natural resource and take heed of these excellent tips shared on Rismedia. Tip # 1 contains the best one, in my eyes, after you re-adjust your watering times....use the footprint test.

Keep the faith........

RISMEDIA, August 28, 2010--Soon, summer will be on its way out and the rains may even slow. Still, it's more important that ever to conserve water. From checking the kitchen faucet to watching your laundry loads, there's plenty we can all do to save water.

Here are some tips from Pennsylvania American Water (effective in any part of the country) on how you can conserve water and reduce the environmental impact of water consumption both indoors and outside the home:

1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. An easy test to tell if your lawn needs water is to simply walk across the grass. If you leave footprints, it's time to water. (An added benefit of watering less often is that fewer, deep-soaking waterings encourage deep root growth and stronger turf.)

2. Water in the early morning. As much as 30 percent of water can be lost to evaporation by watering during midday.

3. Set your lawn mower one notch higher to make your lawn more drought-tolerant.

4. Use drip irrigation hoses to water plants, and water in the early morning or evening.

5. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your sidewalk, driveway, or patio.

6. Forego the hose and wash your car with a bucket and sponge instead. According to EPA WaterSense, a hose left running can waste as much as six gallons per minute while a bucket and sponge uses only a few gallons to do the job.

7. Keep a bottle of cold tap water in the refrigerator. You'll avoid the cost and environmental impact of bottled water and you'll have cold water available in the summer without running the faucet.

8. Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are full. If you have a water-saver cycle, use it.

9. Adjust the water level of your clothes washer, so that it matches your load size.

10. Regularly check your toilet, faucets and pipes for leaks and have them fixed promptly. An easy test for toilet leaks from EPA WaterSense: Place a drop of food coloring in the tank. If the color tints the water in the bowl without flushing, there's a leak. Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

What your Burgular will not tell you.....

Here are some notes taken from the September 2009 Reader’s Digest issue about burglars, which came from the book “Burglars On The Job” by criminology professor Richard T. Wright. Another resource is “crimedoctor.com”. 1) OF COURSE I LOOK FAMILIAR. I cleaned your carpets, painted your home or delivered your new refrigerator. 2) THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME USE YOUR BATHROOM WHILE I WAS WORKING AROUND YOUR HOME. I unlatched the window to make my return easier. 3) LOVE YOUR FLOWERS AND THE NICE KID’S TOYS THAT ARE LEFT OUT. Makes me wonder what nice things are in the house and the types of computer gaming systems are there. 4) MIGHT LEAVE A PIZZA FLYER IN YOUR FRONT DOOR TO SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES YOU TO REMOVE IT. 5) THANKS FOR HAVING YOUR ALARM SYSTEM CONTROL PAD IN VIEW OF A WINDOW. Now I can see if it is on or off before I break in. 6) I DO NOT TAKE A DAY OFF BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER. 7) I ALWAYS CHECK THE DRESSER DRAWERS, BEDSIDE TABLES AND THE MEDICINE CABINET. 8) I ALWAYS KNOCK FIRST. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions or offer some yard service work (doesn't matter if you do not take me up on it). 9) I WON’T HAVE TIME TO BREAK INTO YOUR SAFE. But, if it small enough and not bolted down, I am taking it with me. 10) LEAVING A RADIO ON MIGHT DETER ME. 11) THANKS FOR LEAVING YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPEN ENOUGH TO SLIDE UNDER IT, I COULDN'T FIT BUT MY FRIEND IS SMALL. 12) I DO NOT WANT YOU TO CHECK http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/article-8-more-things-a-burglar-wont-tell-you/article156681.html FOR MORE THINGS I WON’T TELL YOU.

These are tips worthy of reading and implementing. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but make it easy on yourself-study hard... and

Keep the faith!