Busy families don't have much time for home chores these months. School's out, travel's in and it's easy to let life slide on the home front.

Still, summer will run more smoothly if you keep tabs on these important areas in the Summer Cleaning Chore Checklist.

Our checklist list tackles hot-weather issues, summer health and safety:

About the House:

1. Pest patrol: inspect yard and garden for carpenter ants or termites. Call an exterminator if you see signs of infestation. Beware of fire ants in the South! If you see telltale mounds, treat with grits or borax. Keep borax away from children.
    
2. Control garbage can odor with a can clean-out. Rinse garbage cans with a hose, dump the water, then spray with disinfectant. Let the cans sit for 10 minutes, then rinse again. Turn upside down to dry.
    
3. Inspect gutters, and clean out any leafy debris. Summer thunderstorms won't faze you if your gutters are in good working order.
    
4. Make a safety inspection of children's outdoor play equipment. Tighten loose bolts and cover with plastic protectors.

The Inside Story:

1. Prepare the medicine chest and first aid kit for summer's little medical emergencies. In the bathroom, dispose of outdated medication as recommended by local health authorities.
    
2. Tackle patio and sliding door tracks. Grab a bottle of all-purpose (degreasing) cleaner, a screwdriver and a couple rags. Spray the tracks generously and let sit for a few minutes to soften. Wrap the screwdriver with a rag and make several swift movements along the track to get out all the gunk.
    
3. Check washing machine hoses. Replace them if you find cracks or bulges--or if they're over two years old.

Visit organizedhome.com for a complete summer checklist.

Ingredients:

• 24 (3.5-ounce) ice-cream sandwiches, unwrapped.
• 6 medium bananas, peeled and thinly sliced.
• 1 (12.25-ounce) jar hot-fudge sauce.
• 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped.
• 1 (8-ounce) package milk chocolate covered toffee bits, divided.
• 1 (12.25-ounce) jar butterscotch ice-cream topping.
• 1 (8-ounce) container frozen nondairy whipped topping, thawed.

Directions:
Line a 13 by 9-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Place half of ice-cream sandwiches evenly over bottom of pan, completely covering bottom, cutting sandwiches to fit, if necessary. Top evenly with banana slices. Pour hot fudge sauce over bananas. Top with cherries and 1/2 of the toffee bits and pour butterscotch evenly on top. Layer with remaining ice cream sandwiches and spread whipped topping over sandwiches; sprinkle with remaining toffee bits.
Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours. Remove from pan, using foil handles. Cut into squares and serve.

Visit the Food Network for more fun and simple summer recipes.

• Travel at off-peak times
  Flying at less crowded times is not only a great way to save money on a plane ticket, but it can be less of a hassle, according to a new Union of Concerned Scientists' travel guide, which is chock full of many useful tips. Chances are you won't hit traffic going to the airport (so you'll save money on gas), and you'll experience fewer delays (which can waste fuel and produce even more carbon pollution).
   
• Shop at the local farmer's market
  There's a long list of reasons why it's a good idea to eat local foods that are in season. They are fresher, taste better, and don't need to travel as far as the produce in a typical grocery store. Buying directly from a local farmer often costs less. And replacing packaged foods with fruits and veggies is also better for your pocketbook, your health, and the planet's
   
• Find creative ways to stay cool
  Movies are a common escape when temperatures rise because of the allure of free air-conditioning. But the price of movie tickets (and snacks) can add up quickly. Consider spending some time at the library reading your favorite magazines and books (for free) while soaking up the cool air. Or find out when nearby museums offer free or reduced admission. Turn your AC up to 78 degrees when you're at home and raise it even more when you're out or sleeping.
   
• Line dry clothes
  Summer is the perfect time to give your dryer a break. It's better for your clothing (which will likely last longer if you're not constantly over-drying it) and your wallet (since you'll save around $43.60 by air dying your clothes for the entire season).
  
• Visit yard sales instead of going to the mall
  It's cheaper to buy used stuff, and it's better for the environment since it keeps perfectly good things out of landfills and resources aren't needed to make new products from scratch. Better yet, turn your trash into a treasure by hosting your own garage sale. It's a great way to earn extra cash for even more fun summer activities and get rid of all the clutter you've accumulated.
  
  
  Visit green.yahoo.com for more tips on how to save cash this summer.