Car Idling
For every two minutes a car idles, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to drive one mile. While it may be tempting to idle your car for a few minutes to “warm it up” during winter, 30...
View ArticleBurn Wisely
The distinctive smell of wood smoke is a sign of the heating season. It may smell good, but wood smoke can impact indoor air quality and your health. Smoke is a mixture of tiny particles and gases...
View ArticleAnatomy of a Pothole
A winter with heavy snow or rain and many cycles of freezing and thawing can mean lots of potholes in the spring. Why does this happen? Water from melting snow and ice seeps into pavement and the...
View ArticleNational Severe Weather Preparedness Week
Are you ready for the kinds of severe weather that could impact the area where you live? National Severe Weather Preparedness Week takes place from March 3-9, 2013. This is a great time for you and...
View ArticleSpring Cleaning
How much hazardous waste does the average American household accumulate in one year? The typical home accumulates over 20 pounds of household hazardous waste in just one year! Think of paints,...
View ArticleFlood Safety Awareness Week 2013
March 18-22 is the National Weather Service’s Flood Safety Awareness Week. Flooding occurs from coast to coast at all times of the year – and there are many factors that contribute to flooding events....
View ArticleAC Check-Up
Spring is the perfect time to give your home cooling equipment a check-up. Fixing any problems now will help you avoid air-conditioning problems when hot weather arrives for good. And, well-maintained...
View ArticleIowa Severe Weather Awareness
Iowa observes Severe Weather Awareness Week from March 25-29, 2013. This is a great time to make sure you and your family are prepared for the kinds of severe weather you might experience in your area....
View ArticleManaging Mold
Mold spores are naturally present in the air at harmless concentrations, but with added moisture can grow to levels that spur allergies and asthma in susceptible individuals. After heavy rains or when...
View ArticleSpotting Spring Migrants (Upper Midwest and Northeast)
This is the time of year when migratory birds are on the move! Migratory birds are traveling from their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America to the U.S. and Canada, where they feast...
View ArticleBike to Work Week
May is National Bike Month and May 13-17, 2013 is Bike to Work Week. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey shows that number of Americans commuting by bike has increased by 47 percent...
View ArticleStorm Smarts
While only about 10 percent of thunderstorms occurring in the U.S. each year are classified as severe, it is important to be prepared for the heavy rains, high winds and hail that can be associated...
View ArticleIowa’s Rivers
Did you know that Iowa is home to more than 70,000 miles of rivers? Freshwater rivers and streams sustain our communities by providing drinking and irrigation water, wildlife habitat, recreational...
View ArticleProtecting Pollinators
The next time you bite into a slice of melon or take a sip of coffee, think about this: Worldwide, about 1000 plants used for food, beverages, spices, fibers and medicines need to be pollinated by...
View ArticleLightning Safety Awareness Week –“When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!”
Summer is the season to be outside. Warm weather compels us to run, swim, hike and ride, and the long hours of sunlight provide ample time to enjoy this most active of seasons. Summer is also prime...
View ArticleTurn Around, Don’t Drown
The Centers for Disease Control estimate that more than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into flood waters; the next highest percentage of deaths is from walking into...
View ArticleHousehold Energy Use (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD)
Households in the central U.S. – Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota – spent an average of nearly 1900 dollars on energy in 2009. But what do we use that energy...
View ArticleAmerica Recycles Day
America Recycles Day is November 15! When you hear the word recycle, you probably think of things like paper, plastic, aluminum and glass. But did you know that motor oil, electronics, batteries and...
View ArticleHoliday LEDs
Colorful neighborhood lighting displays and glowing trees are a sign of the season. But all those twinkling lights can drive up energy demand and result in big home energy bills. Viewer Tip: What’s a...
View ArticleUnderstanding Allergies
Ah-choo! High pollen levels throughout much of the country mean that millions of Americans are sniffling, sneezing and itching. Spring allergies are usually caused by tree pollen, while grasses are...
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