Children learn by example. If you litter and fail to recycle, and dump your lawnmower's used oil down the sink, that is how your children will act when they grow up. But, if your children see you take protective green measures, they might be more likely to care about the environment as well.

Its not hard to be a good role model. Here are some good first steps:

1. Properly dispose of household hazardous products after you are finished using them. The temptation to dump these materials down the toilet is so great that you really may have to work to resist it. When you do properly dispose of chemicals, involve your children in the process and teach them how important this procedure actually is to our collective well-being.

Explain to them that dumping a little leftover oven cleaner, floor cleaner, ammoniated window cleaner, and crank case oil will probably cause little harm by itself. But it is not just YOU. It is you, your neighbor, his neighbor, and his neighbor, and his neighbor, etc. In all, this amounts to a great deal of hard core contamination.

Show your children that you do care by never disposing unwanted hazardous household chemicals onto the ground or down a drain. Explain to them that improper disposal can pollute your soils, your drinking water, your rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. Household chemicals should be taken to local hazardous waste collection centers. In all likelihood, your local or county health department will have information about disposal locations and times. Visit these centers with your children.

2. Batteries. Let your children know that batteries contain metals which once again can poison the earth and the groundwater. Batteries should be properly disposed of at a facility designated just for this purpose.

3. Opt for less toxic alternatives went purchasing households cleaners. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends the following mixture for household cleaning: mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with ½ cup of white vinegar, and 1 cup ammonia in a bucket. Then, add one gallon of warm water, stirring until the baking soda dissolves. Why not mix this formula with your kids?

For furniture polish, the EPA recommends that you use beeswax. And for a window cleaner, the EPA recommends that you mix three tablespoons of ammonia with one tablespoon of white vinegar and 3/4 cup of water. This mixture should then to be placed into a spray bottle for use.

4. Teach your children that pesticide use must be taken seriously and must be in accordance with labeling instructions. Many people believe that because pesticides can be readily purchased, they really on not that dangerous to humans. That is not so. Pesticides must be used sparingly, always away from food and pets. And they must be properly disposed of after their application has been completed.

5. To the extent practical, limit fertilizer use as well. Try not to use these products before or during a rain storm. Rain water will carry fertilizers and pesticides into the ground and nearby water bodies.

6. Select plants which require low water and less fertilizer. In addition, demonstrate to them that existing trees need to be preserved and new trees and shrubs should be planted to avoid erosion.

7. You already know that lawn clippings should be maintained on your lawn so that the nutrients are recycled back into your lawn. By recycling your grass clippings, you also conserve limited landfills space. Teach your children why it is important to conserve landfill space for the future and develop an awareness of this issue.

Published: April 13, 2000

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