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Just as nourishment and water are biological necessities for most organisms, another key to life includes the exposure to a light source. When electricity was far from human conception, the sun provided everyone with a solar lighting source. Today, the effects of lighting on behavior can come as the result of electrical or natural lighting sources.

1. Bright Light Effects

   • The psychology department at Bowling Green State University in Ohio conducted a study on the effects bright lights have on body temperature, alertness, EEG and behavior. Focusing on the behavioral effects of bright light (BL) and dim light (DL), 43 male subjects displayed immediate psychophysiological and behavioral effects as a result of exposure to these types of photic stimulations. Findings were that exposure to DL at night resulted in a greater sense of alertness and higher EEG beta activity.

   How Lighting Effects Student Behavior

   • In a quasi-experiment conducted at four schools in Alberta, Canada, student achievement, behavior and physiology were all affected by full-spectrum, as well as different light/color, combinations. More specifically, student academic success and physiological effects were investigated. The results concurred with the ideas that ultraviolet lighting rendered beneficial effects. Though these studies only sought out the effects of lighting on elementary-school-aged kids, the color, type of light and combination of the two also have behavioral effects on student success.

   Mood Lighting

   • The way in which the lighting scheme of your house is designated not only works as an element of decoration, but also as a factor in the moods of your home's inhabitants. Sources for mood lighting include, but are not restricted to, lamps, candles and skylights. As soft lighting is more diffuse, its behavioral effect is that it creates more relaxed moods. In addition, higher levels of lighting in your home produce cheerful effects.

   The Health Effects of Sunshine

   • One major benefit of natural sunlight on the human body is the synthesis of vitamin D. Though extreme, extended amounts of direct sunlight are sometimes harmful, as in the case with its effects on skin, the benefits from vitamin D affect the liver, bone health and the cardiovascular system. Behaviorally, the sun has been thought of as a source of natural happiness as well as academic alertness.

Natural gas and propane have become a part of our everyday lives and most of us simply take it for granted. However, a gas leak can be extremely dangerous and cause a tremendous explosion-so it's important that you and everyone in your family know what natural gas smells like-and what to do if you do smell gas. In its natural state, gas is colorless, non-poisonous and odorless. The "rotten egg" smell you associate with gas is a chemical added by gas companies to make a gas leak easier to detect. Here are some pointers on how to react if you smell gas outdoors or inside your home.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Emergency number for your gas supplier (check your bill)

1. How to Handle Gas Escaping Outside

   • 1

     Remain calm if you smell gas and hear the hissing sound of gas escaping outside.

   • 2

     Close all doors and windows in your house to prevent any gas from coming inside.

   • 3

     Put out any open fires or exposed flames.

   • 4

     Get out of your house and call the emergency number of your natural gas supplier and your fire department from a neighbor's home.

   How to Handle Gas Leaking Indoors

   • 1

     Open all doors and windows in your home to allow fresh air inside.

   • 2

     Get out of your home as quickly as possible, leaving all the doors and windows open.

   • 3

     Don't turn any lights, appliances or even computers on OR off. A tiny spark could be all that's necessary to ignite the gas.

   • 4

     Don't use your home phone or cell phone. Call the fire department and your natural gas supplier from a neighbor's home a safe distance away.

   • 5

     Walk away from the immediate area. Don't start any motor vehicles.

   • 6

     Stay away from the area until emergency crews have determined it is safe for you to return to your home.

Tips & Warnings

• Obviously, you don't want to smoke or light matches anywhere in the area.

• If you see flames and the gas is actually burning, don't attempt to fight the fire yourself or pour water on the fire. Leave the firefighting to the professionals.

Ventless gas logs are a heating source in a fireplace that does not vent to the outdoors. If you have a ventless fireplace in your home, follow the manufacturer's directions when using ventless gas logs to avoid a buildup of soot and dangerous gas, like carbon monoxide. You can take several preventative measures to avoid soot while using your ventless gas logs. Normally operating ventless logs should not produce soot, according to the gas log manufacturer Hargrove.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Ventless gas log
• Fireplace
• Caulk
• Manufacturer's directions

1. • 1

     Contact the manufacturer or a professional technician to install your ventless gas logs. A proper installation reduces the chance that the logs will burn incorrectly and build up soot.

   • 2

     Check your home for drafts. Drafts can provide too much air to the ventless gas logs. This can make the fire burn too high. A fire that burns too high and touches the logs will produce soot. Fix any drafts in your home by caulking around doors and windows as necessary.

   • 3

     Adjust the position of the logs according to the manufacturer's directions. If the logs are improperly positioned, the fire may touch the logs and generate soot. Follow the manufacturer's directions or contact a technician to ensure that the logs are positioned properly.

   • 4

     Do not use the blower in your fireplace unless the log manufacturer recommends it. The blower may allow too much air into the ventless logs, which can cause the flame to burn too high and touch the logs.

   • 5

     Schedule regular maintenance cleanings with a technician. If you use the ventless gas logs frequently, dirt or debris may collect in the burner or other parts of the logs. If dirt or debris obstructs these parts, the fire may not burn correctly, which can generate soot.

Tips & Warnings

• Ventless gas logs may create unsafe conditions if used improperly. This could include a buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide. Contact the manufacturer or a technician for installation and maintenance, and any time you believe you have a problem with your gas logs.

Cockroaches can transmit bacterial diseases and hepatitis virus and have been known to spread dysentery and typhoid fever. Many people are allergic to them.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Growth Regulating Insecticides
• Insecticides
• Pesticides
• Sugars
• Baking Soda
• HEPA Vacuums
• Lidded Metal And Glass Containers
• Caulks
• Pipe Insulation

1. • 1

     Eliminate sources of food and water. Store food in tightly sealed metal, glass or hard plastic containers. Remove trash from kitchens promptly, and place in containers with tight-fitting lids. Repair any plumbing leaks in or under your home. Place pet water bowls in a pan of soapy water at night.

   • 2

     Vacuum all corners to remove tiny food crumbs. If anyone in the house is allergic to roaches, be sure that your vacuum cleaner has a HEPA filter.

   • 3

     Prune plants away from vents near your home's foundation where roaches can creep in. Remove piles of debris.

   • 4

     Caulk cracks and crevices wherever possible, both inside and outside.

   • 5

     Check furniture and appliances that have been in storage for egg cases.

   • 6

     Consider insecticide only if you must; cockroaches learn very quickly to avoid fast-acting insecticides such as insecticide spray. If you must use an insecticide indoors, dust a slow-acting one such as boric acid under cupboards and into cracks and corners. Remember that boric acid is permanently ineffective once it becomes damp.

   • 7

     Use baits and sticky traps as effective alternatives to spraying indoors. Add insect-growth regulators to baits to increase their effectiveness. Look for them where insecticides are sold.

Tips & Warnings

• Tropical in origin, cockroaches require humidity and warmth as well as a food source. They prefer to live in cracks and tight crevices and are nocturnal. Bathrooms and kitchens are favorite haunts.

• Avoid the use of aerosol foggers. These can make the problem worse by dispersing the cockroaches over a wider area.