Home chemicals

• Be aware that many chemicals commonly used around the home are toxic. Select less toxic alternatives. Use non-toxic substitutes wherever possible.

• Buy chemicals only in the amount you expect to use, and apply them only as directed. More is not better.

• Take unwanted household chemicals to hazardous waste collection centers; do not pour them down the drain. Pouring chemicals down the drain may disrupt your septic system or else contaminate treatment plant sludge.

• Never pour unwanted chemicals on the ground. Soil cannot purify most chemicals, and they may eventually contaminate runoff.

• Use low-phosphate or phosphate-free detergents.

• Use water-based products whenever possible.

• Leftover household pesticide? Do not indiscriminately spray pesticides, either indoors or outdoors, where a pest problem has not been identified. Dispose of excess pesticides at hazardous waste collection centers.

• Use tea tree oil as disinfectant

• Make your own natural disinfectant

• Remove rust with a environmentally friendly rust remover

• See here for a vast list of non-toxic or less-toxic alternatives to hazardous household chemicals.

• Look here for recipes to make your own non-toxic cleaning products - from all purpose cleaner to stain remover, bleach and wood floor polish.

• Paint tips

Fire-preventer

Here are some top fire-prevention tips

• Fit smoke alarms on each level in your home. Keep them free from dust and test them once a week. Consider buying a 10-year alarm; otherwise change the batteries in your alarm every year.

• Make a fire action plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape if there is a fire.

• Keep the exits form your home clear so that people can escape if there is a fire. Make sure that everyone in your home can easily find keys for doors and windows.

• Take extra care in the kitchen - accidents while cooking account for over half of fires in homes. Never leave young children alone in the kitchen.

• Take extra care when cooking with hot oil. Consider buying a deep-fat fryer which is controlled by a thermostat (if you don't already have one).

• Never leave lit candles in rooms that nobody is in or in rooms where children are on their own. Make sure candles are in secure holders on a surface that does not burn and are away from any materials that could burn.

• Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly, disposed of carefully and never smoke in bed.

• Get into the habit of closing doors at night. If you want to keep a child's bedroom door open, close the doors to the lounge and kitchen, it may well help save their life if there is a fire.

• Don't overload electrical sockets. Remember one plug for one socket.

• Keep matches and lighters where children cannot see or reach them.

• Take special care when you are tired or when you've been drinking.

• Don't leave the TV or other electrical appliances on standby as this could cause a fire. Always switch it off and unplug when not in use.

Accidental snares

Always think about what your throwing away from more than just a pollution perspective... Those innocent looking soft plastic holders for soft drink cans and other products can entangle birds, fish, and small animals. Snip apart each ring before throwing it in the trash, or inquire whether they can be recycled locally.

Rainforests

Saw a lovely documentary about rainforests last night, and thought that we'd pass on some information about what brilliantly splendid ecosystems they are... so check out how you can save them here.