To protect the indoor air quality at your home, never leave a car idling in the garage, even if it’s just for one minute. The fumes from the car can enter the home and contribute toward an unhealthy indoor air environment. The same goes for turning on gas-powered outdoor tools; always do it away from the house, on the driveway or lawn. And use a charcoal grill away from the house, never right by the door. The harmful emissions from these household items need open air for proper dispersal.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It’s believed that we throw away enough broken umbrellas every year to build 25 Eiffel Towers. Rather than constantly purchasing “disposable” umbrellas that break at the first gust of wind, look for greener alternatives, like umbrellas made from waterproof cork, biodegradable plant-based resins and post-consumer recycled nylon (which is still a conventional material, but at least it’s recycled). And when your umbrella does break, repair it! There are tutorials online that show how to use simple wire and pliers to fix almost any damaged umbrella.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

The nonprofit organization Arts and Scraps serves thousands of kids in the Detroit area and helps them reimagine materials and “think, create and learn.” Twenty-eight tons of materials (that would otherwise be landfilled) get repurposed and reimagined every year! The list of items they need is long, but it includes things like Styrofoam peanuts, broken crayons, scratched-up CDs, shopping bags, wine corks, plastic/silk flowers and empty potato chip “cans.” To learn more and find out where to donate, visit artsandscraps.org.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION