Saving energy is one of the best ways to conserve natural resources. There are many things you can do at home to help your family become more energy efficient.
Energy conservation tips to share with your family
- Turn off lights and appliances when you leave a room--including computers or video game consoles.
- Replace ordinary incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs.
- Use room air conditioners only when you are at home.
- Use the microwave or toaster oven instead of the big oven whenever possible.
- Turn off the oven right after food is cooked.
- Close curtains and blinds to keep out the sun on hot days. Open them up in winter to add warmth.
Easy ways to conserve water
- Take 5 minute showers. Save more than 5-10 gallons of water a day!
- Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. Save 4-10 gallons a day!
- Make it a full load. Only run the washing machine or dishwasher when full. You can save energy too by drying the clothes on a clothes line!
- Have your parents check faucets for leaks. A small leak can waste 20 gallons a day!
- Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge. Running water and waiting until it cools down is wasteful.
- Water plants when it's cooler. Watering in the early morning is best.
Stay safe using electricity
Electricity makes wonderful things possible. Electricity keeps us warm in winter, cool in summer, cooks our food, heats our water, cleans our clothes and powers our TVs, radios, video games and computers. But, electricity is also powerful so we must be careful when using it.
- Never touch broken electrical cords or ones that have wire showing.
- Never stick your finger or any object into light sockets or electrical outlets.
- Do not pull on cords to unplug them. Hold on to the plug instead.
- Do not touch anything electrical while you are wet or standing in water.
- Stay far away from fallen power lines.
- Never fly kites or balloons near power lines – electricity can travel down kite strings or wires.
- Do not climb trees close to power lines.
- Do not touch or go near electrical equipment.
Cool sites
Check out the sites below for more fun activities and other ways to save energy.
If I were a Lineworker Book
Written and illustrated by WPPI Energy
energy KIDS
U.S. Department of Energy; Energy Information Administration
Energy Explained
U.S. Department of Energy; Energy Information Administration
WaterSense Kids
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Tennessee Valley Authority
EPA Student Center
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency