by Susan Trost

 

Smoke Detector Battery Replacement Time! Stock up on batteries right now and actually put fresh batteries in your smoke alarms this fall. Yes, they remind us to do it twice a year, but how many of us really make the effort. Stop delaying as it can cost a life of someone you love. Also, most manufacturers recommend replacing the smoke detector units even 7 years. Be sure to check how old your units are and what your manufacturer recommends.

Get a Carbon Monoxide Detection Unit. Carbon Monoxide is the silent killer that you hear in the news every winter. Get a unit if you don't have one.

Buy Energy Star Appliances: Considering new applicances? If yours are more than 10-15 years old, you should consider it based on energy savings alone. Look for Energy Star appliances that will show you how much the appliance will cost to operate each year. That definitely needs to be a factor in your decision. The Energy Star program involves the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to help you save money and protect the environment with more efficient products. In 2008, the program saved enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equal to 29 million cars and saved $19 billion on utility bills! www.energystar.org

Check out your metal water bottle - some older ones contain BPA too! You threw away your plastic water bottles because of the variety of health concerns about bisphenol-A a few months ago. If you purchased a metal water bottle by Sigg , make sure it was made after 8/08. Prior to that date, the aluminum bottles contain BPA in the epoxy liners.