Timer switches are an easy way to control how long your lights are on. In the past, installing these switches meant hard-installing special switches to go with your lights. New technology couldn’t be easier: Timers now simply go over your light switch and can be activated to turn on or off through your smartphone. There are no special tools needed; you just place it over the switch, and a mechanism switches the lights for you. Over time, using a timer can help you save electricity and money.

Many people like to feed wild waterfowl like ducks and geese as a fun way to interact and “help” them. But when you raid your kitchen pantry for food like bread, crackers and cereal, you are doing more harm than good because these items have little if not zero nutritional value. If the birds fill up on these carb-heavy treats, they can get a disease that’s known as “angel wing,” which is a deformity that causes the last joint in the wing to twist outward due to improper bone growth. If you do want to feed them, try fresh lettuce, corn, peas or oats.

Homes built before 1978 likely have lead-based paint inside. A well-maintained home should not pose a serious problem for exposure to lead, but areas that are frequently used could lead to dust, chips and lead exposure. For things like windows and doors, which are opened and closed frequently, be sure to use a damp towel to clean up dust particles. Look for peeling paint, and scrape or sand it off; be sure to use a damp mop to pick up particles. Using a broom only moves the particles and can make lead particles airborne.