QUICK TIPS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT!!!

Here are few quick tips to help protect our environment:

v Clean Air

Ø  Painting your house? Use a latex paint. Oil-based paints release hydrocarbon fumes.

Ø  Get a tune-up. Properly maintained vehicles get better gas mileage and emit fewer pollutants.

Ø  Don’t top off your gas tank. Overfilling causes spills that release hydrocarbons and other toxic chemicals into the air.

Ø  Conserve energy. You’ll lower your utility bills and help avoid peak demands on utility plants.

Ø  Don’t burn your yard waste. It’s illegal in many areas of Ohio because burning yard waste releases mold spores, soot, and other contaminants that can aggravate allergies and cause respiratory problems.

Ø  Plant a tree. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

Ø  Park the car. Walk, bike or use mass-transit whenever you can. Vehicle traffic is a major contributor to smog.

v Clean Water

Ø  Use less fertilizer on your lawn. When it rains, excess fertilizer runs off into storm sewers and pollutes streams.

Ø  Never pour anything – especially waste oil or leftover lawn chemicals – into a storm drain. It will end up in the nearest stream.

Ø  Don’t trash our streams. Volunteer groups sponsoring annual cleanups find everything from old tires to old appliances in our waterways.

Ø  Water your lawn in the early morning, when the water will soak in and not evaporate in the heat of the day.

Ø  Don’t water more than once a week, and then only if it hasn't rained. Established lawns need only one inch of water a week.

Ø  Don’t water the sidewalk - it won’t grow. Set your sprinkler to keep the water on the lawn.

Ø  Mulch around your landscaping. A three-inch layer of mulch holds moisture and prevents evaporation, reducing the need to water.

Ø  Use a bucket when you wash the car, instead of the hose. Letting the water run while you work costs money and wastes water. Only use the hose to rinse.

Ø  Sweep your driveway and sidewalk instead of cleaning them up by spraying with the hose.

Ø  Don’t do the dishes until you have a full load. Your dishwasher uses 12 gallons of water whether it’s full or half-empty.

Ø  Wash a full load of laundry. Your washing machine uses 40 gallons of water. Run it full, or adjust the water level to the size of your load.

Ø  Don’t let the water run while you shave or brush your teeth. Turn it on only when you need it. Every minute the faucet runs, five gallons of water go down the drain.

Ø  Take a shorter shower. And switch to a low-flow shower head.

Ø  Repair leaky faucets and toilets. You can tell if the toilet leaks by putting food coloring in the tank. If color shows up in the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak.

Ø  Install faucet aerators. You can cut your water usage by up to six percent.

v Clean Land

Ø  Recycle. If your community does not offer a recycling program, ask local officials to start one.

Ø  Don’t put hazardous materials in the trash. Save paints, pesticides, lawn chemicals, car batteries, waste oil and similar materials for your local household hazardous waste collection day

Ø  Turn in your mercury thermometer and replace it with a digital one. Mercury is a persistent pollutant that moves up the food chain and can cause serious health problems. Never vacuum spilled mercury. If you have mercury in your home, call Ohio EPA (614-644-3469) to find out how to get rid of it safely.

Ø  Don’t buy more than you need. When it comes to lawn chemicals, pesticides, paints and other hazardous materials, buy a smaller package so you won’t have leftovers to dispose of.

Ø  Paper or plastic? Better yet, take a canvas bag to the grocery and re-use it each time you shop.

Ø  Use both sides of the paper. Set your copier to make double-sided copies and you’ll substantially reduce your paper use.

Ø  Use rechargeable batteries. Many batteries contain metals that are better kept out of landfills.

Ø  Give it away, don’t throw it away. Many charitable organizations accept donations of wearable clothing and gently used household items.

HOW USEFUL ARE TREES TO US?

 Plants and trees are absolutely important not only in the atmosphere but also in our lives. All of us throughout the world would want to grow more trees as it has been proven to be greatly useful and beneficial for our physical growth and the environs.

I would like to share the following to the people out there, some of the many awesome usages (functions and roles) of trees to our mother earth and mankind:

Ø It keeps the air and surroundings clean. Did you know that trees can actually absorb up to 90 lbs. of carbon dioxide per year?

Ø It helps humans to breath clean air because it gives off oxygen

Ø From the world itself it, provides us shady place especially in extreme weathers: the wood insulates us from cold and the shady trees comfort and protect us from the harmful up rays of the sun in warmer days.

Ø It beautifies our surroundings and neighborhood.

Ø It provides humans livelihood and helps boost a country's economy. Excess trees that were lumbered (wood as the raw material) are being utilized in business for man's consumption. Some of it are used for building houses, making  furniture and fixtures, etc., for our school supplies, like pencils and for those in the rural areas, the sturdy wood from quality trees are used for constructing bridges and for the poor, it is used as firewood. The rubber which can be taken out from the sap of a rubber tree are also being traded, for our consumption.

Ø It prevents erosion, mud or landslides, global warming, thus protecting our place and people from destruction as a result of calamities and other fortuitous events.

Ø It serves homes for and protects small animals, vegetable plants, shrubs and vines, and other smaller plants from wildlife damages.

Ø It also gives us medicinal cures from certain diseases.

Ø It helps us enjoy our recreation and picnic under the sun, and

Ø Lastly, it gives us beautiful real Christmas trees during Christmas time.

HEATSTROKE

·        Definition

A condition marked by fever and often by unconsciousness, caused by failure of the body's temperature-regulating mechanism when exposed to excessively high temperatures.

·        Symptoms

These are few symptoms of heatstroke:

1.     Bizarre behavior

2.     Collapse

3.     Confusion/unconsciousness

4.     Convulsion

5.     Dizziness

6.     Difficult breathing

7.     Dry hot skin

8.     Fatigue

9.     Faintness

10.  Hallucinations

11.  Headache

12.  Nausea

13.   No sweating

14.   Pupils constructed

15.  Rapid heart beat

16.   Seizures

17.   Very high fever ( over 41)

18.   Very high temperature (over 103)

19.    Vomiting

20.   Weakness

  Prevention

These are few prevention of heat stroke:

1.     Avoid exercise during the hottest part of the day.

2.     Avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol.

3.     Drink plenty of water.

4.     Protect yourself from the sun.

5.     Rest, rehydrate and recover.

6.     Schedule activities at cooler time of the day.

7.     Spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days.

8.     Stay well hydrated.

9.     Take regular breaks.

10.  Use fans or blowers to improve air flow.

11.   Wear light weight, light colored, loose-fitting clothes.

12.    Work in the shade.

·        Heat stroke first aid

1.     Use a fan to lower temperature.

2.     Elevate feet.

3.     Give fluid.

4.     Cold compresses.

5.     Have a person lie down.

HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEATSTROKE 

·        Difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are two potentially serious conditions that can occur if you get too hot.

They usually happen during a heat wave or in a hot climate, but can also occur when you're doing very strenuous physical exercise.

• Heat exhaustion is where you become very hot and start to lose water or salt from your body and generally feeling unwell.
• Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool itself and a person's body temperature becomes dangerously high (sunstroke is when this is caused by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight).

Heatstroke is less common, but more serious. It can put a strain on the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys, and can be life-threatening.

If heat exhaustion isn't spotted and treated early on, there's a risk it could lead to heatstroke.

·        Who's most at risk?

Anyone can develop heat exhaustion or heatstroke during a heat wave or while doing heavy exercise in hot weather. However, some people are at a higher risk.

These include:

• Elderly people
• Babies and young children
• People with a long-term health condition, such as diabetes or a heart or lung condition
• People who are already ill and dehydrated (for example, from gastroenteritis)
• People doing strenuous exercise for long periods, such as military soldiers, athletes, hikers and manual workers

You're more likely to experience problems if you're dehydrated, there's little breeze or ventilation, or you're wearing tight, restrictive clothing.

10 SMALL WAYS TO CONSERVE AND PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT

You CAN help protect the natural environment!

Here are some reminders about how you can contribute to saving our one and only planet. Population boom and fossil fuel based technological advancements have taken a serious toll on our natural environment. So now we need to do our part in reversing the effects of degradation in order for humanity to continue living in a habitable and sustainable way.

In essence, the 3 Rs –Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are still as relevant and important as ever.

Here are 10 simple ways to conserve and protect the environment through small changes to your daily routine for a better world for you, your family, your community and all living things now and forever.

1.     Create a compost heap in your garden or use a compost bin. This helps recycle food waste and other biodegradable materials.

2.      When going shopping, make it a habit to bring your own eco-bags and say no to plastic bags as much as possible.

3.      Join as many tree planting trips as you can.

4.     If possible, try carpooling to work, business presentations, events, or even to run errands. Think of ways you can reduce the number of trips you make using your car.

5.   Reduce emissions from cars by walking or cycling. These are not just great alternatives to driving, they are also great exercise.

6.     Use public transport, when you can, for everyday travel.

7.   Send your drinking bottles, paper, used oil, old batteries and used tires to a depot for recycling or safe disposal; all these very cause serious pollution.

8.    Do not pour chemicals and waste oil on to the ground or into drains leading to bodies of water.

9.  Wherever possible, separate biodegradable and recyclable waste from non-biodegradable and work to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable or recyclable waste.

10.  Reduce the amount of meat you eat, or even better become vegetarian.

7 WAYS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

We all want to protect our planet, but we're mostly too busy or too lazy to put up big change that would improve our lifestyle and save the environment.

These are 7 simple habits to implement in your everyday life which will make a difference. There is nothing new here but if you follow at least some of these tips, you can be proud of yourself participating in the protection of the environment.

1.     Use compact fluorescent light bulbs:
It is true that these bulbs are more expensive, but they last much longer and they can save energy and in the long term your electricity bill would be reduced.

2.     Donate:
You have tons of clothes or things you want to get rid of. If they are still usable, give them to someone who needs them. You may also choose to give them to associations. These associations may sell them and collect a little money. Not only will you protect the environment, but you will also contribute to a good cause.

3.     Turn off your devices: 
When you do not use a house device, turn it off. For example, if you don't watch TV, turn it off. Turn off the light when you leave a room (even if you intend to return.) It's an easy habit to take up which will help you save a lot of money.

4.     Walk or cycle: 
Driving is one of the biggest causes of pollution. If you want to use your car, ask yourself the following question: do I really need my car? Walk or use your bike if the journey is a short one.

5.     Detergent:
Follow the recommended dose of detergent to wash your clothes or dishes.

6.     Leaky faucets:
Watch leaky faucets, which can cause a significant increase in the water bill. An average of 120 liters of water can be wasted due to a dripping faucet.

7.     Rainwater:
Think of recovering rainwater. This water can be used for different purposes.

This list is far from being exhaustive but in addition to saving the environment, all these tips will help you save money.

Preventing heat-related illness.

The arrival of summer signals long, hot days outside. But as temperatures and humidity go up, so does the risk of heat-related illness. To help ensure a safe, healthy summer, make sure you know how to prevent, recognize and treat heat-related illness.

To work properly, our bodies need to maintain a core temperature of about 37°C at all times. Body temperature is tightly controlled by a "thermostat" in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. When the body's core temperature rises above its "set point" the hypothalamus turns on various systems to help us lose excess heat. These include:

• faster, shallower breathing
• increased blood flow to the skin
• sweating.
• Heavy sweating without replacing lost fluids can lead to dehydration and heat cramps. If the body cannot shed enough heat for any reason, there is a risk of heat exhaustion and, in extreme cases, heat stroke - a medical emergency.
  Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are more common risks forchildren and teens who engage in prolonged or intense physical activity in the sun for example during sports practice. For other children, the main heat-related illness to consider is dehydration.
• • The body tries to shed excess heat when its core temperature rises above 37°C. It is harder to shed excess heat in high temperatures, high humidity and direct sunlight.
  • Dehydration is the most common heat-related illness. If you suspect dehydration, take your child to a cool area and give them water or clear juice.
  • If dehydration is not treated correctly or if children are engaged in prolonged activity in direct sunlight, they can also develop heat cramps, heat exhaustion and, in severe cases, heat stroke.
  • To prevent a heat-related illness, stay out of direct sunlight, especially between 10am and 2pm, rest in shady areas, have your child drink water and dress them in lightweight, light-coloured and loose clothing.