Parenting: Go Green

Weeklong Early Show Series Shows How Families Can Help Environment

(CBS)  The Early Show is looking at ways to make our lives better for the environment, in a weeklong series.

We hear a lot about global warming but the advice we get support realistic. So, the March issue of Parents magazine focuses on simple changes any family can make. Kate Lawler, the executive editor, showed some examples Monday to co-anchor Harry Smith.

A good place to start is right in the kids' bathroom sink. Disposable cups are a waste of paper. A great alternative for a quick drink is the Whale Faucet Fountain attachment. It turns your faucet into a water fountain, and it saves water when kids brush their teeth and when they want a drink in the middle of the night.

Also available are Sigg bottles, which are "kid-friendly" water bottles, fun bottles that can be re-filled with tap water so kids have their own special bottles.

Power strips make sense, because when your appliances are plugged in, even though they are not on, they are using electricity. But it's a nuisance to remember to pull all those plugs. If you plug everything into a power strip, there is just one switch to flip on and all.

Nontoxic dish-washing liquids are easier on the water system than triple-concentrated laundry detergent. It uses a third less soap for a normal-size load.

If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or washing machine, the Energy Star logo ensures it uses 40 to 50 percent less electricity than the old model.

Think about ways to re-use things around your house. For instance, use an old toothbrush holder to carry baby utensils when you travel, pr a disposable baby-food container to carry snacks for older children. Also, you can use tissue paper from the dry cleaner to pack clothes so they remain free of wrinkles.

Turn off your engine. Whenever you're waiting in your car (outside school, dance class, the supermarket), turn off the engine. An idling car not only burns unnecessary fuel, but it emits exhaust that creates smog and can aggravate kids' asthma and other lung and heart conditions.

Have a light monitor. It's not realistic to put a sensor on every light switch ion your home, but it is easy to forget that you've kept lights on around the house. Add "light monitor" to your family's list of household chores and that person makes periodic sweeps of the house to make sure lights are off in unused rooms. When lights are on, the culprit has to put a quarter in a penalty jar.

Organic isn't just food-related these days. Some baby clothes are made from cotton grown without pesticides. "No one is saying you have to replace all your baby clothes," says Lawler, "but there's a ton of options out there."

• onesie $24 (www.ninaandtom.com)
  
• baby washcloths $10 (www.underthenile.com)
  
• frog teether $11 (www.peacefulcompany.com)
  
• Sage Creek natural wooden rattle $11 (www.lalanatural.com)
  
• bumGenius baby wipes $10 (www.cottonbabies.com)
  
• bib $10 (www.underthecanopy.com)

And to help save time and money, take a look at The Busy Woman Web site.

© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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