January 12, 2011
- Household Hunt
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Household Hunt
Pollutants and dangerous chemicals are hiding in your home. You don't have to look far to find them-many are located among your family's cleaning products. Products that are dangerous have warnings that tell you to be careful with them because they can be harmful to your health.
Explosive-a substance that may expand suddenly and violently within a container, causing the container to burst and send pieces of metal, plastic or glass flying (water repellant for shoes, spray paint)
Corrosive-a product that can burn skin or eyes on contact, or, if swallowed, can burn throat or stomach (toilet bowl cleaner, oven cleaner)
Flammable-a substance or its fumes that can catch fire easily if exposed to heat, flame or sparks (solvents, certain glues)
Poison-a product that can cause illness or death if licked, consumed or, sometimes, smelled (windshield washer fluid, furniture polish)
Products like those above are also bad for the environment, because when we pour them down the drain or dump them in the trash, they find their way to lakes, rivers or oceans and pollute them. Go on a hunt with an adult to look for dangerous chemicals in your household. Many communities hold household hazardous waste collection days so that you can safely dispose of these items. Check with your town or city to see if an event is offered nearby. The next time you go shopping with your family, check the ingredients of the products that you buy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has an interactive website where you can learn about the chemicals in your home.
Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think about Outdoor Discovery.
Subscribe to Conservationist magazine-New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles.
Learn the best places to view wildlife at DEC's Watchable Wildlife pages.
Family Fun
Make your Own Green Cleaners
Make-your-own, environmentally friendly cleaners do a great job without harming you or the environment. Besides, they are quick and easy to make. You can even create your own special line of products with essential oils and personalized labels. You will need empty spray bottles, a small jar, vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice and baking soda.
Glass cleaner: Fill a spray bottle halfway with vinegar. Add enough water to fill the bottle and shake it. Create a label for the cleaner and include on it, Apply with newspaper.
Furniture polish: Mix 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice and 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Make a label with the following instructions: For varnished wood. Heat mixture by setting bottle in a pan of hot water. Shake bottle after heating. Apply polish to wood, and rub dry with a soft cloth.
Bathroom cleaner: Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of salt in a small jar. Add a little water to make a paste to scrub tubs and sinks.
It's In the Air
Harmful chemicals and pollutants aren't just found in our cabinets. Pollution is in the air outside, which eventually ends up in our homes. Test how clean the air in your house is with this easy experiment. Have on hand several drinking glasses, tin cans with tops and bottoms removed and some petroleum jelly. Choose a few places within your house to test the air (the kitchen, near a woodstove or fireplace, the garage, etc). Smear the outside of each glass with petroleum jelly, and put one in the first test spot. Cover the glass with a can to keep out regular household dirt and dust. Repeat this procedure at the other test spots. Collect the glasses after one week, and examine them with a magnifying glass. Mark a ¼-inch square area on each glass, and count the number of particles that you see. If there are 15 or less, the area is clean. If there are more than 100, it's time to clean up!
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Paws to Reflect
Saturday, January 15 at 2:00 PM
The World of Weasels
Saturday, January 22 at 10:00 AM
Girl Scout Outing: Learn to Snowshoe
Saturday, January 22 at 2:00 PM
Please call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 to register your troop by Wednesday, January 19.
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Discovery Hike
Sunday, January 16 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Kaikout Kill Barrens (trailhead #6)
Call 518-456-0655 to register and for directions to the trailhead. Cost: $2.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free.
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Western New York
Reinstein Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After-School Escape
Thursday, January 13 and 20 at 4:30 PM
For children in grades K-5. No registration required.
Snowshoeing 101
Thursday, January 13 and 20 at 6:00 PM
Snowshoe rental: $2.00/pair; free for FORNP members
Climate Change Café
Saturday, January 15 at 1:00 PM
Full Wolf Moon Snowshoe Walk
Wednesday, January 19 at 6:00 PM
Snowshoe rental: $2.00/pair; free for FORNP members
Full Moon Cross-Country Ski Tour
Wednesday, January 19 at 6:30 PM
Bring your own skis, or rent a pair. Ski rental: $2.00/pair; free for FORNP members
Winter Wildlife Snowshoe Walk
Saturday, January 22 at 10:30 AM
Snowshoe rental: $2.00/pair; free for FORNP members
Learn to Cross-Country Ski Saturday
January 22 at 1:00 PM
Ski rental: $2.00/pair; free for FORNP members