Category: Tips

A second nationwide day to collect unwanted, expired and unused drugs is planned for April 30. Local police departments are partnering with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency to host collection sites across the nation. To find a collection site near you, visit www.dea.gov. This program will help combat the misuse of prescription drugs, and avoid the […]

Recent storms have interrupted electric service to a large number of Pennsylvanians. The Office of Consumer Advocate offers the following tips to help you and your family stay safe in the event of an electric service outage. What to do before an electric service outage Have a first-aid kit with current supplies. Have flashlights and […]

Check for air leaks: Areas that leak air into and out of your home can cost you lots of money. On a windy day, check carefully around windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches, and other places where air can leak in and out of your home. Caulking, sealing or […]

Release date: 03/11/2011 Contact Information: Richard Yost, yost.richard@epa.gov, 202-564-7827, 202-564-4355 WASHINGTON – Across the country, household leaks waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water per year – enough to supply the water needs of Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles combined. Easily corrected household leaks can increase homeowners’ water bills by 12 percent. To help consumers find and […]

HYPERTHERMIA: TOO HOT FOR YOUR HEALTH Heat-Related Illness Advice for Older People From the National Institute on Aging: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News National Institute on Aging (NIA) <http://www.nia.nih.gov/> Thursday, July 22, 2010. Hot summer weather can pose special health risks to older adults. The National Institute […]

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Tips For Older Adults To Combat Heat-Related Illnesses Risk of Heat-Related Problems Increases with Age As we age, our ability to adequately respond to summer heat can become a serious problem. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, […]

How Much Water Are We Using? The average American uses 60 gallons of water each day. This excludes outdoor uses such as washing the car or watering the lawn. Do you know how much water is used in your daily activities? Household faucet: 3-5 gallons per minute Shower: 5-10 gallons per minute Bath tub: 50 […]

HYPOTHERMIA: A COLD WEATHER RISK FOR OLDER PEOPLE Almost everyone knows about winter dangers such as broken bones from falls on icy steps, sidewalks or streets. But cold weather also can cause an important, less obvious danger that can affect older people. Older adults are especially vulnerable to hypothermia, which can be deadly if not […]

Consumer Tip for January 2009 How to Make A Donation to a Hardship FundWinter weather is upon us. There are many Pennsylvanians who could use help in paying their energy bills. Your donation can assist needy households to keep their gas and electric service on this winter. Consider donating to your company’s hardship funds. Click on the […]

Recycling Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs  Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs have become popular as a way to save energy and money. However, many consumers have been reluctant to use them because of uncertainty in how to dispose of them properly. Recently, Home Depot announced it will recycle CFL bulbs for free at all of its nearly […]