Problem: Article: When you have small children, it is best to keep some household items out of reach. This does not mean you must eliminate them from your household. Instead, put them in high cabinets and consider getting child safety locks. You also can put special covers on doorknobs to prevent access to some closets or rooms. Items to remove from the reach of children include: Latex balloons Magnets Figurines Decorations like tinsel or Christmas tree ornaments Rings Earrings Buttons Batteries Toys with tiny parts (e.g. Barbie shoes, Lego helmets) Little balls Marbles Screws Safety pins Broken crayons Staples Erasers Small rocks Toys with small pieces are not intended for young children and should include a warning label. Follow age guidelines on toy packaging. Do not give children toys from vending machines as these do not have to follow safety regulations. At restaurants with kids' meals, ask for an age-appropriate toy. If you spill a bag of pasta, for example, pick it up immediately. Check under tables and chairs for extra pieces. Anything on the floor is fair game for a child to place in his mouth. When your older children play with items like Legos or Barbie shoes, ask them to pick up their messes. Explain that they too need to be careful about small objects. Consider making it a game for school-age children to see who can find the most small items. Although you cannot watch children 100% of the time, try to be as vigilant as possible. If you see them getting into something they should not, intervene immediately. Set ground rules for items that they can and cannot touch.
Summary: Childproof your house. Check recommended ages on toys. Clean up any messes involving small objects. Ask older children to clean up. Watch children when they play.

Problem: Article: Off-the-grid living requires that you develop energy-independence for your home. The best option is to retrofit your home with solar panels. Consult a solar power installation company in your area to get a better idea of how you can connect your home to a solar panel system. Total installation costs of an average solar power system including solar panels, a battery, a backup generator, and professional installation averages around $40,000 USD. A backup system can supplement your solar panels, which can come in handy on cloudy days. If you're near a river or creek, you could get a micro hydropower turbine installed as a backup system. Otherwise, you could get a wind turbine installed near your house. Talk to renewable energy companies in your area about your options and, if you wish, get a backup system installed. A domestic wind turbine costs around $10,000 USD. Micro hydropower turbines have a wide range of costs. A small one can cost around $7,000 USD, while a large one (which produces more power) can cost over $55,000 USD. Since you're using electricity off the grid, it's important to take steps to ensure you don't use too much power. To keep energy costs low, replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. This simple change can reduce electricity use by 75%. Additionally, turn lights, TVs, and other appliances off when you're not using them. Since you won't be connected to a central water system, you'll need to use well water. Getting a well drilled will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of around $7,000 USD. A septic tank is a watertight chamber that collects sewage in the absence of a sewer system. Having a septic tank installed generally costs around $5,000 USD. The septic tank will need to be emptied by a vacuum truck periodically. A greywater system will treat water used in dishwashing, sinks, showers, and baths so that it can be used again. While it's less of a necessity than a septic tank or a well, greywater systems can extend the lifetime of your well by allowing you to use water that has already been pumped up to the surface. Recycled greywater can be used as toilet water or in irrigation.
Summary: Install a solar power system. Have a backup power supply installed. Reduce your energy usage. Drill a well. Get a septic tank installed. Have a greywater system installed.

Problem: Article: Cargo skirts fit in a similar way to denim. The fabric doesn't flow very much, so they can look boxy if not paired with a the right shirt. Throw on a figure-flattering, fitted shirt to highlight your curves. If you prefer a looser blouse, tuck it to highlight your waist while smoothing over your tummy. If you're rocking your cargo skirt on a chilly day, throw on a pair of black tights and a comfy pullover sweatshirt. To maintain the figure-flattering shape of your look, tuck the front of the sweater into your skirt. You can also throw a dark vest on over your t-shirt for a layered, outdoorsy look. Cargo skirts are great for a casual overall look, so pair them with your favorite pair of sneakers. For a slightly dressier but still relaxed look, wear a pair of flats that match the color of your top. Protect yourself from the sun with a baseball hat, which plays well with the sporty look of a cargo skirt. On a colder day, throw on a slouchy beanie to match your top.
Summary:
Go with a fitted shirt, or tuck in a looser blouse. Wear a casual sweatshirt and tights if it's cold. Grab a comfortable, sporty pair of flats or sneakers. Accessorize with a hat.