Holiday Green Tips and Safety Guide

1.       Make your own wrapping paper
Most mass-produced wrapping paper you find in stores is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. Be creative! Wrap presents with old maps, magazines/newspapers, or children's artwork. Scarves or dish towels are good substitutes and double as a gift!

2.       Use Energy-Saving Holiday Lights
LED lights use up to 90% less energy than traditional holiday lights, which will save you money off your energy bills during the holiday season.

3.       Add Organic and Local Foods to Your Holiday Feast
Support local farmers who grow sustainable meat and produce. Not only does it taste better, you'll be doing your part for the planet too!

4.       Keep the Oven Closed
Don't open the oven door to check on what's cooking inside. Use the oven light instead to see through the oven window. Opening the oven door lowers the temperature inside - by as much as 25 degrees - which increases cooking time and wastes energy.

5.       Multi-Task With Your Oven
Cook several items at the same time to save energy. Be sure to leave enough room for the heat to circulate around each dish. 

6.       Be Smart with Range Cooking
Match the size of the pan to the size of the burner. The burner should not be larger than the pan it is heating. More heat will get to the pan and less will be lost to the surrounding air. As little as a two inch difference will waste more than 40 percent of the energy!

7.       Use Smaller Appliances
Don't overlook your smaller cooking appliances. Microwave ovens use up to 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens, and they don't heat up your kitchen. Crock pots are perfect for busy families. On average, they will cook a whole meal for a very small electrical charge.

8.       Keep Using the Grill
If you're adventurous and/or live in a milder climate, don't confine your cooking to the kitchen. Using your grill can add a twist to a classic holiday meal.

9.      Save Refrigerator Energy
Help your refrigerator and freezer operate efficiently and economically by keeping the doors closed as much as possible so the cold air doesn't escape. However, leaving the door open for a longer period of time while you take out the items you need is more efficient than opening and closing it several times. It's easy to keep your refrigerator and freezer full over the holidays and also energy efficient, because the mass of cold items inside will help your refrigerator recover each time the door is opened. Don't cram it so much, however, that cool air can’t circulate properly around your food. 

10.   Conserve Dishwasher Use
Wash full loads only. If you must rinse your dishes before loading them, use only cold water so you’re not running up your energy bill by heating water unnecessarily. Don’t forget to use the energy-saving cycles whenever possible. Dishwashers that feature air power or overnight dry settings can save up to 10 percent of your dishwashing energy costs.

Stay Safe Over the Holidays

Gift Wrap

Food Safety

• Bacteria are often present in raw foods.  Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.
• Wash your hands frequently, and never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.
• Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separately, and use separate utensils when preparing them.
• Thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
• Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

Holiday Lighting

• Before decorating, check all light sets for frayed wires, damaged sockets, or cracked insulation. If you find any defects, replace the entire set.
• All outdoor cords, plugs and sockets must be weatherproof. Keep electrical connections off the ground, and make sure wiring is kept clear of drainpipes and railings to prevent any risk of shock. It's also a good idea to use a ground fault circuit interrupter on each circuit. If current leaks through frayed or damaged wires, the interrupter will shut off the lights.
• Don't overload your electrical circuits. Circuits in older homes carry a maximum of 1800 watts each. Most newer homes can handle 2400 watts each.
• Remember that hot bulbs can ignite dry tree branches. To avoid disaster, keep trees well watered and keep extension cords and light strings away from the water. For safety's sake, light your tree only when you are at home and awake to enjoy it. As an extra precaution, keep a fire extinguisher handy, and be sure your home's smoke detectors have new batteries and that they're working properly.
• Don't mount lights in any way that can damage the cord's wire insulation.  To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples--don't use nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.