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Dads Going Green
Courstesy of the National Fatherhood Initiative
You've heard the buzz about "going green" and April is officially considered Earth Month, so it's a great time to take to step back, look around, and get the whole family feeling green. And, you might even save some green (money, that is) while you're at it!
Get Out. Turn off the lights, the TV, and the computer and get outside! Take your kids on a hike, or just let them run around at the playground. You'll conserve some energy, save a few bucks, and give everyone an appreciation of the outdoors.
Fix It. If you've got a leaky toilet or a dripping faucet, you could be wasting 200 gallons of water a day! So break out your tool belt and see if you can't fix some big water wasters. Plus, if your kids are old enough, they can help you with the fixes.
Drive Smart. Underinflated tires lower your fuel efficiency and wear your tires down. Aggressive driving (frequent accelerating and braking) can also guzzle gas. So do a quick tune up and remember to drive friendly, especially if you've got teens who are learning how to drive!
Walk It Out. Save yourself some gas money and take a break from using your car. Walk or bike short distances or take public transit.
Clean Up. Many local parks and neighborhoods host clean up days during April, so check with your local and state parks. Or, organize your own clean up day! All it takes is some protective gloves and a few garbage bags and you and your kids can make your neighborhood clean - and more green - in no time.
Going green doesn't have to be difficult or expensive, and it's a great way to educate your kids about the environment, and their responsibility to help keep it clean and healthy.
Source: Dad E-Mail, May 2008, www.fatherhood.org.
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