Viewer Tip: If just 10 percent of the estimated 65 million garage-owners in the United States cut idling by five minutes per day, we’d save about 84.5 million gallons of gas in a year! Remember that driving your car is the best way to warm it up. Excessive idling can actually damage your car’s engine, but frequently restarting the engine has little impact. Cut-down on idling even more by turning off the engine if you are sitting in a drive-through or school pick-up line for more than 10 seconds – 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

This information is provided by Living Lands and Waters.  Learn more at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

(Sources: California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center: Should I Shut off the Motor When I’m Idling my Car? 2006-2011.  http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html; Rogers, Elizabeth and Thomas M. Kostigen. The Green Book. 2007.)

What is radon? Radon is a radioactive gas produced when uranium in soil decays; it can be found all over the United States. Radon gas moves up through the ground into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation, becoming trapped inside. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about one out of every 15 homes has elevated radon levels. You can’t see, smell or taste radon, but it can be harmful – it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Viewer Tip: Winter is a great time to test your home for radon. When windows and doors are sealed tightly, radon levels inside your home can rise. Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes a few minutes. For details, visit www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html#howtotest.

If you find high levels of radon in your home, the problem can be fixed! Some radon reduction systems can reduce levels in your home by up to 99 percent.

Additional resources:

• Reducing Radon Levels in Your Home: www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html
• State Radon Contacts for local information: www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html
• Radon-Resistant New Construction for home-buyers: www.epa.gov/radon/rrnc/index.html

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon.” www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html)

Wild Weather

As record has it, the English settlers and Wampanoag Indians had nice weather during the first Thanksgiving harvest celebration in 1621 – but not every Thanksgiving holiday has been so pleasant. A major winter storm in the Eastern United States in 1950 generated near 100-mile per hour wind gusts in the northeast, crop damage and record-low temperatures in the south and southeastern states, heavy flooding along the northeastern coast and significant snowfall in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. On Thanksgiving Day, Springfield, Illinois set a rainfall record of 1.47 inches in 1968; Buffalo, New York saw record snowfall of 10.3 inches in 1952. Oakland, California even saw a record low temperature of 36 degrees last year. More memorable Thanksgiving weather events.

The number of long-distance trips increases by 54 percent over the Thanksgiving holiday. Whether you are traveling 50 miles or 500, it is important to be ready for all kinds of weather.

Stay Safe on the Roads

• Get a check-up. Check tire pressure when tires are cold and adjust as necessary (don’t forget the spare!), replace worn or broken wiper blades, add freeze-resistant windshieldwiper fluid if needed, and check battery connections and cables. If your car battery is more than three years old, you may want a professional to test it.
• Build an emergency kit. Make sure your car is equipped with a scraper, flashlight, blankets, cell phones, booster cables and emergency flares or cones. Have water and non-perishable food like energy or granola bars on hand, too.

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• Slow down. Allow yourself at least eight to ten seconds of stopping time – even longer if driving on ice.
• Stop before you talk. If you need to use your cell phone, pull into a parking area or to the side of the road before making the call.
• Steer clear. Know what to do if your car skids:
  • Rear wheels skid: Remove your foot from the gas pedal, steer the wheel in the direction you want your car to go and pump the brakes gently if you have standard brakes or apply gentle pressure to the brakes if you have anti-lock brakes (ABS).
  • Front wheels skid: Remove your foot from the gas pedal and put the car in neutral. The wheels will start to skid and slow the vehicle down, as traction starts to return steer the car in the direction you want it to go then put the car in drive and accelerate gently.
• Be ready for rain. During periods of heavy rain, reduce your speed and put on your car’s hazard lights so that other drivers can see you more easily. If it is difficult to see through heavy rain, pull over and wait for the storm to pass.

Save Gas

• Carpool. The average long-distance trip during Thanksgiving is about 215 miles. If you have friends and family nearby that are going to the same place, travel together to save gas and reduce the number of cars on the road.
• Go easy on the gas pedal. Accelerate gradually to get better gas mileage.
• Don’t idle. If you stop to eat or stretch your legs, turn the car completely off. Idling for two minutes uses the same amount of gas used to drive one mile!
• Pack lightly. Extra weight in the car or trunk decreases fuel efficiency.

Snow image above courtesy of NOAA.

(Sources: Examiner. “Thanksgiving cold weather breaks record across California.” http://www.examiner.com/top-news-in-san-francisco/thanksgiving-cold-weather-breaks-records-across-california; AAA. “Five Things AAA Says Drivers Should Do Before Thanksgiving Road Trips.” http://newsroom.aaa.com/2010/11/2010-thanksgiving-road-trips; Research and Innovative Technology Administration. “U.S. Holiday Travel.” http://www.bts.gov/publications/america_on_the_go/us_holiday_travel/html/entire.html; Iowa DOT. “Safe-driving tips for the holidays.” http://www.iowadot.gov/tips.pdf; Environmental Protection Agency. “Tips to Save Gas and Improve Mileage.” http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/17-tips.pdf; Green Your. “Avoid Car Idling.” http://www.greenyour.com/transportation/car/car-driving/tips/avoid-car-idling)

Viewer Tip: It’s wise to wear long sleeves and long pants if you’re walking in brushy areas. Treat potentially affected areas right away. Also avoid burning these plants, which can inflame your lungs. You may react more to uroshiol-containing sap over time and react to other plants in the sumac family.

This tip is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. For more information, visit www.wildflower.org.

Viewer Tip: The “rag” in ragweed comes from the ragged edge of the leaves found on these inconspicuous green plants.  Common ragweed grows up to three feet tall and has muted green flower stalks with white or green blooms.  As with other ragweeds, these plants use wind to disperse their pollen – to our sneezing chagrin.  Tall goldenrod uses insects to transfer pollen and can grow as tall as common ragweed.  Goldenrod’s showier yellow flowers appear while hay fever is at its peak, so it’s easy to be confused.  Don’t pull it up, though, as it provides nectar for Painted Lady and other butterfly species.  Ragweeds also are butterfly hosts and they may be so widespread that clearing your yard won’t solve the problem.

This tip is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. For more information, visit www.wildflower.org.

Viewer Tip: Public lands make up 30 percent of the nation’s land area! You can lend a hand to public lands on September 24 by participating in an NPLD event in your community. Search volunteer opportunities by state or zip code at www.publiclandsday.org/npld-sites.  Most NPLD events take place rain or shine, so check the local forecast to be prepared.

NPLD is a fee-free day on many federally managed lands. And, volunteers who participate are given coupons for second free entry into their favorite federal public land areas that have entrance fees.

(Source: National Public Lands Day, www.publiclandsday.org)

Viewer Tip: September is National Preparedness Month. Are you prepared? Make sure you have the supplies and information you need to stay safe if a natural disaster or other emergency occurs in your area.

• Get a Kit. Keep an emergency supply kit at home that will cover the basics of survival: food, fresh water, clean air and warmth. Find a list of suggested emergency supply kit items at www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html.
• Have a Plan. All family members should know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in different emergency situations. Find out if workplaces, daycares and schools have emergency plans. Get tips for making an emergency plan at www.ready.gov/america/makeaplan/index.html.
• Consider Your Needs. Remember that additional planning may be required for older individuals, family members who are disabled or require special medications or medical treatments, and pets.
  • Tips for older individuals: www.ready.gov/america/getakit/seniors.html
  • Tips for people with disabilities or special needs: www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html
  • Tips for pet owners: www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html
• Know Your Stuff. Find out what kinds of natural and man-made disasters may occur in your area. Know how you will be notified of an emergency in your community (TV or radio broadcasts, sirens, telephone calls, etc.), and learn about emergency plans established by your state or local government. Links for community and state preparedness information can be found at www.ready.gov/america/local/index.html.

(Sources: NOAA NCDC. “Billion Dollar U.S. Weather/Climate Disasters.” http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/billionz.html#chron’ National Preparedness Month 2011. http://community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM)

Viewer Tip: A child’s body can warm three to five times faster than an adult’s because children’s ability to regulate body heat is not as efficient. Never leave a child unattended in a car – even for a minute – and use these simple tips to keep children safe:

• Check car seats and seat belts buckles to make sure they aren’t too hot when putting your child in a car.
• Teach kids not play in or around cars.
• Always lock car doors and trunks, even at home. Keep keys out of reach.
• When driving, put your purse or briefcase in the back seat as a reminder that you have a child in the car.

Remember that pets can also quickly become sick or die if left in a hot car. Leave furry companions at home with shade and water on hot days.

(Sources: NOAA National Weather Service. “Heat: A Major Killer,” http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml; Null, Jan. “Hyperthermia Deaths of Children in Vehicles,” Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University, http://www.ggweather.com/heat/index.htm; Humane Society of the United States. “The HSUS Advises Pet Owners to Keep Pets Cool during Heat Wave.” http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2011/06/heat_alert_pets_060811.html)

There are many sources of nitrogen and phosphorus, including agricultural livestock waste and fertilizer; fertilizers and pet waste from home yards and gardens; and detergents and soaps. Rain water can pick up these substances and carry them into storm drains and local water bodies. Sometimes, nitrogen and phosphorus can impact waters far from where the nutrients originate.

Viewer Tip: Reducing nutrient pollution at home will help protect waters nearby and downstream.

• Apply fertilizer and other yard care chemicals only when necessary.  Wait for dry weather to apply.
• Pick up pet waste at home and on walks. Avoid walking pets near streams and other waterways.
• Use a commercial car wash that filters and recycles water. Or, wash your car on a grassy or gravel-covered area where water can soak into the ground. Use soap sparingly.

(Sources: United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Nutrients: The Problem,” http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/nutrients/problem.cfm and “Nutrients: Take Action,” http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/nutrients/action.cfm

Viewer Tip: Encounters with yellow jackets tend to increase at this time of year because they are foraging for food outside the colony to feed new larvae. Yellow jackets typically reserve aggression for protecting the colony, so passing by or walking over a colony could result in an attack. If you have yellow jackets on your property, it’s best to avoid the area where the colony is located. If the colony can’t be avoided, you may need to remove or destroy it. Seek help from a professional who is experienced in pest removal – spraying water, burying or otherwise bothering a colony is likely to result in many stings.

(Sources: eNature. “Nature Watch: Summer Stingers.” Available from www.enature.com/articles/detail.asp?storyID=324)

Viewer Tip: About 80 percent of pollution in our oceans and lakes comes from the land. No matter where you live, you can help protect water quality at local beaches by always picking up after your pet on walks and in your yard. Dispose of waste in a trash can or flush it down the toilet. To help control waste from wild animals, don’t feed geese and other water fowl. This encourages flocks to hang around shorelines and stay put through the winter months.

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Beaches.” http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/index.cfm; Long Island Sound Study, “Sound Health: Status and Trends in the Health of Long Island Sound,” http://longislandsoundstudy.net/2010/12/sound-health-2010/)

Viewer Tip: If you have a swimming pool at your home, make sure everyone knows how to swim safely while having fun.

• Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool. Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
• Take time to learn first aid and CPR.
• Don’t run near a pool.
• When spending time at the pool, keep a phone nearby so you do not have to leave children unattended or in case of an emergency.

Swimming at a community pool? Find additional safety tips at www.poolsafely.gov/pool-spa-safety/staying-safe-pools-spas/community-swimming-pools/.

(Sources: ABC Pool Safety, “Learn the ABC’s of Pool Safety,” http://www.abcpoolsafety.org/ABCs_of_Pool_Safety.377.0.html, Current Results, “Sunniest Cities,” http://www.currentresults.com/Weather-Extremes/US/sunniest-cities.php)

Viewer Tip: In 2011, there have been 13 lightning fatalities* in the United States – all of them have occurred outdoors. Lightning may strike up to ten miles outside of heavy rainfall.  Keep these tips in mind to stay safe.

• Look and listen for cues. If you hear thunder, you are in danger from lightning.  Seeing lightning and hearing thunder very close together means that lightning is striking nearby.
• Avoid “natural lightning rods.” Lightning is attracted to metal, poles and rods.  Avoid golf clubs, baseball bats, fishing poles, bicycles, tractors and camping equipment during a storm.
• Find shelter. A sturdy building is the safest place during a thunderstorm.  Avoid gazebos, baseball dugouts, picnic shelters, golf carts, bleachers and other isolated objects in open spaces.

Find more lightning safety tips from National Weather Service: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm.

*This number has been updated. For the latest statistics, visit http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/fatalities.htm.

(Sources: National Weather Service. “When Lightning Roars, Go Indoors!” http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/ and Coalition of Organizations for Disaster Education. “Talking about disaster: Guide for standard messages.” https://www.crossnet.org/disaster/disasterguide/; NWS Lightning Safety: Fatalities, http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/fatalities.htm)

Viewer Tip: To prevent insects from spreading and breeding on your property after heavy rains or a flood, use these tips:

• Empty any kind of standing or stagnant water from buckets, flower pots, children’s toys and other places likely to hold water.
• Clear out clogged gutters and check on flat roofs that may have poor drainage.
• Clean up any debris such as twigs, stones and piles of lumber where insects may breed or hide.
• Patch any damaged screens to prevent insects from coming into your home.

(Sources: North Dakota State University Extension, www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension; Alabama Cooperative Extension System, www.aces.edu/main)

Viewer Tip: July is UV Safety Month. Stay safe in the sun with these tips:

• Wear sunscreen: Sunscreens with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 and above provide protection by preventing ultra violet radiation from reaching your skin.
• Wear sunglasses: Protect your eyes with sunglasses that have 100 percent UV protection. Check the label for the protection level.
• Work and play in the Shade: When you are outside, wear tightly woven clothing and a wide brimmed hat to reduce the amount of UV radiation coming into contact with your skin. Remember that pets need shade, too.

Before you head outside, check the UV Index at www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html.

(Sources: EPA SunWise Program. “The Sun, UV, and You: A Guide to SunWise Behavior.” http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/doc/sunuvu.pdf)

Viewer Tip: As the temperature rises, give these tips a try to save energy at home while staying cool.

• Bump the thermostat up to 78 degrees when no one is home. For each degree you raise the thermostat, you’ll save three to five percent on air conditioning costs. Close shades and curtains during the day to keep the heat out.
• Run a ceiling fan to create a breeze. Raising the thermostat by just two degrees and using a ceiling fan can reduce cooling costs by up to 14 percent! Remember that fans only cool people – turn them off when you leave a room.
• If you are purchasing a room air conditioner, look for the Energy Star label. Energy Star qualified models use at least ten percent less energy than standard models.

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Heat Island Impacts.” http://www.epa.gov/heatisld/impacts/index.htm; U.S. EPA, “EPA Offers Cooling Tips for Every Budget this Summer.” http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/386ebff0a635644f8525773c004d84d3!OpenDocument)

Viewer Tip: With rain in the forecast, keep your eyes peeled for signs of flooding.  Never drive through flooded roadways or bridges and do not attempt to cross flood waters on foot.  Stay away from arroyos, river and stream beds, and low-lying areas that may flood easily

(Sources: NOAA National Weather Service, www.nws.noaa.gov; NOAA/USGS Demonstration Flash-Flood and Debris-Flow Early Warning System, http://landslides.usgs.gov/advisories/warningsys/)

Viewer Tip: Older individuals are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. The body’s cooling mechanism doesn’t work as efficiently as we age and living alone or being confined to a bed can further increase vulnerability.  Keep these tips in mind to help older family members and friends stay healthy:

• Seek out A/C – A few hours per day in an air-conditioned building can reduce risk of illness. If your home does not have A/C, visit a senior center, movie theater, library, mall or designated community cooling center. A fan may provide some relief, but when temperatures reach the high 90′s, electric fans do not prevent heat-related illness.
• Dress the Part – Wear light-weight, loose clothing that is light in color.  Drink plenty of fluids and avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar, which can cause dehydration.
• Check Up – If you have a family member, friend or neighbor who is at risk, visit them regularly.  If you see signs of heat-related illness – confusion, hot and dry skin, hallucinations, or aggression – seek help immediately.

Learn more at www.epa.gov/aging/resources/epareportst.htm#temp.

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Heat Island Impacts.” http://www.epa.gov/heatisld/impacts/index.htm; and “It’s Too Darn Hot – Planning for Excessive Heat Events.” Publication number: EPA 100-F-07-025, www.epa.gov/aging)

Urban Heat Island profile image courtesy of U.S. EPA.

Viewer Tip: Removing or altering the places that allow mosquitoes to lay their eggs is your first step in the fight against these irritating insects.

• Water is necessary for mosquitoes to lay their eggs, so eliminate places that collect standing water. Frequently empty the water out of toys, old tires, recycling containers, any other items that may inadvertently serve as containers. Also replenish bird baths or pet bowls often.
• If you have water on your property, consult area experts to see if adding mosquito fish to your ponds can help you naturally reduce the mosquito population.
• Sometimes mosquitoes can carry diseases. Because you cannot completely remove all mosquitoes, it’s important to protect yourself. Using a deck fan, protective clothing and avoiding being outside during dusk and dawn will help reduce your risk of bites.

This information is provided by the Georgia Wildlife Federation. For more information, visit www.gwf.org.

Viewer Tip: Recreational shell fishing can be a fun family activity but you will need a state license and must follow all regulations. Check for beach closures and red tide closures by going to the State’s Department of Health web site.

For more information on shellfish harvest rules, visit wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/.

For more information on safe shellfish consumption: www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/default.htm.

This information is provided by Restore Americas Estuaries and People For Puget Sound. Learn more at www.PugetSound.org.