12/26/12

A portable space heater can be an energy-efficient way to heat up the room you're in without having to crank up the thermostat. The best way to use a space heater is to leave it on the floor -- not on a small table -- since heat rises. Leaving it on the floor allows it to heat up cool air as it rises, giving it the maximum amount of efficiency and the highest level of comfort when it's turned on.

12/25/12

After the holiday season, many people wonder: Is gift wrap recyclable? Well, it depends. Since many companies and communities now recycle magazines, newspapers and office paper, one would think you could toss gift wrap into the recycling bin. But with festive gift wrap now coming dyed in laminated colors with flecks of metal, glitter and other plastics embedded in it, these shiny scraps of paper can actually pollute recyclable paper. Instead of risking it, it's best to toss the gift wrap and add only undyed and unembellished paper to the recycling stream. When in doubt, toss it out.

12/24/12

If you would love to adopt a dog as a companion animal but don't have the time or space for it, do the next best thing: Help train adoptable dogs. Volunteering to train dogs to follow basic commands like sit and stay and how to walk calmly helps make them more adoptable to potential families. You'll get your one-on-one time with a puppy, and you're helping your local animal shelter at the same time.