According to the U.S.Department of Energy, there is a checklist of items which you can look at around your house to determine if you are doing your fair share to support your home in its energy conservation program. You see, your house wants to save energy. If you could ask, it would tell you so.

Houses which have higher efficiency rankings also have fewer problems related to mold, mildew, rot and decay. An energy efficient house is not as prone to moisture damage caused by condensation as a poorly insulated house is. When thinking about water damage to homes, flooding is the first major cause, leakage from above is second and condensation due to poor insulation runs a close third.

It's pretty easy to stop your little one from eating things you don't want them to. A sharply stated icky!, yucky!, naughty! or no! will usually do the trick. However, how do you stop your child from ingesting a substance which you most likely can't see, such as lead?

I have here for you some excellent ideas and strategies from the Parent Center Newsletter for keeping lead out of your little one. If you have a toddler or know someone who does, you may wish to read the complete article.

Here are a few ideas for you: