Ever toss some lemons, limes or sliced strawberries into a water bottle or pitcher to infuse your drink with a hint of fruit flavor? It is a favorite way to get more H2O into your diet, but it also can be a health risk. All fruit has a tiny bit of natural bacteria on it, and the sugar in fruit can speed up bacterial growth in water. This is especially true when the water is left at room temperature. You have about four hours to drink fruit-infused water before it needs to be replaced. And always wash all fruits before you slice them up and drop them into water.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

With close to 500 locations, Batteries Plus retail stores are worth seeking out, even if it’s just for this reason: They recycle nearly every type of lightbulb. This includes typical CFL bulbs and harder-to-recycle tube, circular and U-bend-style fluorescent bulbs. You can also recycle old-fashioned incandescent bulbs and a whole host of specialty bulbs at the stores. And, yes, they accept a large variety of batteries for recycling, too, including those that come from cars, phones, laptops and cordless products.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

It’s common knowledge that LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs are the most energy-efficient and long-lasting bulbs out there. And they contain no dangerous chemicals, making them one of the safest, too. But eventually, even LED bulbs burn out and need to be replaced. The good news is that LED bulbs are recyclable, and there are many drop-off points at stores that will accept them. But if you can’t find any, don’t fret over tossing them in the trash. Unlike CFL bulbs, there’s nothing dangerous about LED bulbs going to a landfill.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION