With pumpkin-carving season around the corner, many DIY blogs and crafters recommend spraying bleach or smearing petroleum jelly on the cut part of the pumpkin to extend its life. While these tips do work to keep the pumpkin from disintegrating quickly, it can be harmful to animals like dogs and other wildlife if they ingest any part of the pumpkin. To prevent your jack-o-lantern from becoming a tempting treat, be sure to thoroughly scoop out every single seed from the inside; this is what's most appealing to critters. Rub a beeswax paste on the cut edges so you can extend the life of the pumpkin without the fear it could be harmful to the family dog.

Paper carton containers that hold food products like milk, juice, soy milk, soup, broth and even wine are pretty easily recyclable in most curbside recycling programs. They are a desired recyclable and are made into a whole variety of new paper products. When you toss them into the recycling bin, be sure to remove the plastic caps that come with them and toss those into the trash. There is no need to wash out the containers, but if your recycling bin does not have a lid, it might be a good idea to lightly rinse them out to help deter wildlife from raiding your bin.

We all know that items like lighter fluid, paint and chemical insecticides are considered household hazardous waste and should never be thrown in the regular trash. But did you know there are some common personal care products that are also considered hazardous? Items like nail polish, nail polish remover and even hair care products found in aerosol cans are hazardous. The one thing these beauty products have in common is they contain ingredients that are flammable, which is what makes them hazardous waste. Dispose of these unused personal care products whenever hazardous material is collected, or use it up and look for more natural and organic brands when you restock.