Safe Green Tips from DNRP

Summer safety at home

Expecting guests this summer?  Worried about what they may find in your bathroom or garden beds?

Garden pests – the uninvited visitors

The Grow Smart, Grow Safe guide can help you solve garden problems quickly and get back to the grill. With the New online Grow Smart Grow Safe, you can:

• Find practical ways to reduce pests
  
  
• Check products for health and environmental risks
  
  
• Discover least-hazardous tactics that match your garden problem
  
  
• Get info on pesticides and children’s health

Greener cleaning – safer

• Using green cleaning tips helps reduce dirt and harmful chemicals in your home. And they are economical – saving your money for the fun fund.
  
  
• Bring less dirt/chemicals in your home by leaving shoes at the door. 
  
  
• Use products that say CAUTION or WARNING and avoid those that say DANGER or POISON.
  
  
• Prevent indoor air pollution by using unscented products and avoiding air fresheners; open windows for fresh air.
  
  
• Make your own safe and economical cleaners by following recipes on Healthy Home Tips. Available in Spanish, Chinese, Somali and more.
  
  
• Use dry or damp microfiber dust cloths to dust, clean, and polish without cleaning products! Wash when needed and use over and over. FREE cleaning cloth to the first thirty callers; call 206-263-3042.

Prevent temptation and accidental poisonings: secure your medicine cabinet

Who will be in your home this summer? Kids, grandkids, their friends, house/pet sitters?  Keep your visitors and medicines safe:

• Dispose of unwanted medicines at a secure medicine take-back location: www.takebackyourmeds.org/what-you-can-do/locations
  
  
• Lock up the medicines you want to keep. Susan Heim, parenting author and "Chicken Soup for the Soul" editor shares her thoughts on a product for keeping your medications out of the reach of children.

Find out what else you can do: www.takebackyourmeds.org/what-you-can-do