Backyard pools can be water wasters, so it's imperative to be aware if your pool is leaking. One way to check is to use a grease pencil to mark your pool's current water level. Wait one day and look at the mark: If the water level is half an inch or lower than the original mark, you likely have a leak. It's important to have a professional inspect the pool and determine where the leak is coming from and repair it. Be sure to cover your pool every night: It reduces the amount of evaporation of water into the atmosphere.

If you're planning to spend hot summer nights in your backyard or will be having a picnic in the park, be sure to be extra careful when the festivities are over. Containers that have small openings -- like salad dressing bottles, mustard jars and ketchup containers -- can be tempting to wild animals. They'll even force their heads into bottles to get out the last bits of tasty treats. Be sure to pick up small debris like plastic sandwich bags, aluminum foil and even toothpicks, all of which can harm animals if ingested.

Does your office have furniture, electronic equipment, extra reams of paper or anything else that you'd like to see go to a good cause instead of the landfill? Use the website recycles.org to list the items you have to give. Nonprofit organizations use the site to search for things they need. It matches companies and individuals with items to donate with charities that need them. You can even keep your identity confidential if you wish to give your unwanted goods anonymously.