Home Safety
* Save gas by doing close-to-home outdoor recreation activities, such as skating and making snowmen with your children.
* Choose non-toxic toys for children, such as ones made from solid and recycled wood (not pressed wood) and non-toxic paints and finishes. Avoid toys made of PVC plastic; xylene, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate.
* Get the lead out! Contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) atcpsc.govabout recalled toys and other household products that contain lead. Find out how to dispose of them.
* Send electronic greeting cards and letters or ones made of recycled paper.
* Wrap gifts in recycled paper, the funny papers, a pillow case, etc. Give gift certificates, movie and concert tickets, etc. that do not need to be wrapped.
* Instead of using a cut live tree, buy and decorate a large potted house plant. Or use a potted small tree which can be planted outdoors. If you use a live tree, recycle it. Find out how from your local waste department.
* If you decorate with lights, turn them off when you can, to save energy and to make the lights last longer.
* Use glasses, dishes, and silverware instead of disposable products.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine