How to Properly Check Tire Pressure and Condition for Increased Driving Safety

Copyright 2006 David Maillie

Tire pressure and condition is one of the most overlooked safety aspects on our cars.  Most people just assume their tires are fine and that they will be safe because they look fine – the tires are not flat and the car runs.  Rarely do we ever see someone get out of their car and check their tire pressure or place their hands on the tire and feel for problems with their tire condition.  What most people don’t know is that proper tire pressure will improve your gas mileage, make your brakes and suspension system last longer, and it will improve your gas mileage.  It will also make you safer.  According to AAA, it is best to have your tires pressure and condition checked for driving safety every time you fill up your gas tank and prior to any long drives or vacations.

Before checking your tire pressure you should check your tires condition. Your tires are what holds you to the road and if there are any problematic wear patterns, bubbles and cracks, etc your driving safety can and will be greatly compromised.  Look over all your tires and your spare.  Place the palm of your hand on the tire and feel it is it round?  This may sound obvious, but you can quickly find early signs of cupping (which can indicate bad struts), irregular wear (could be improperly balanced wheels), cracks, and deep wear that would make your tires unsafe.

Take out a penny and make sure President Lincolns head is covered by the tread.  If it isn’t that means you need to replace your tires as they are worn too low.  Every time I go to the local grocery store half of the cars I see have bald or nearly bald tires and tires in bad condition and replacement.  This can cause hydroplaning and very unsafe driving conditions if the roads were wet from a recent rain. If you notice anything irregular take your car to a service station or tire store.  Have your tire condition checked and have your tires replaced as necessary as your driving safety may be compromised by worn tires or another serious tire condition (Walmart’s tire service stations will check your tires for free).

To properly check your tires pressure you must use a tire pressure gauge.  Going by touch isn’t good enough.  Just because the tire doesn’t look flat doesn’t mean it isn't improperly inflated.  Your car or trucks owners manual and tire manuals in your glove box will tell you the recommended tire pressure for your tires.  Check all four tires and your spare.  Remember your spare if it is a doughnut or half sized spare may have different pressure requirements (see your owners manual).  You wouldn’t believe the number of people that assume their spare is fine and haven’t checked it in several years.  Some don’t even know if they have a spare or tire changing tools like the jack and lug wrench.  Some people don’t even know where to look for their spare tire or how to even change a tire.

Most tire pressure gauges have an indicator that will be raised by the amount of pressure in your tire.  More expensive ones are digital.  Both are rudimentary and easy to use and can easily and cheaply be obtained at gas stations and car parts stores.  If you find you are under inflated most gas stations have an on site air pump.  Fill and check again to ensure proper pressure.  Do not go by the air pumps gauge if it has one.  It has been abused and is probably incorrect.  Always replace the caps on your tire stems when you are done.  This keeps the elements out and corrosion can and does cause leaks.  If you have too much pressure then let some out by pressing a key or screwdriver into the release valve and then check it again.  If your tires have too much pressure it can cause them to prematurely wear in the middle and reduce the actual surface area of the tire that meets the road and can reduce your driving safety.

There you have it, how to properly check your tires condition and pressure for increased driving safety.  By having safe tires you are increasing both your driving safety and the driving safety of those around you.

How Secure is Your Neighborhood?

Before you go out and spend thousands of dollars on a new home security system, it's a good idea to find out how secure your neighborhood is. Or to put it in blunt terms, find out how many crimes are being committed where you live. This information can have a big impact on what steps you take on the home security front.

This may sound like information you can't get without going door-to-door and interviewing everyone within a four-block radius. Have you been robbed in the last year? Has anyone broken into your car? Has anyone stolen mail from your mailbox? It sounds like a pain, doesn't it?

Fortunately, you don't have to do this. Chances are the police station has this information already. As you might or might not have suspected, most police agencies keep detailed statistics of these things. They have records of crimes committed, and can often narrow down the statistics to the block level.

As a resident, you're entitled to this information.

So, head down to your local police station (the one closest to your home), and ask to talk to the public affairs officer (or whoever is in charge of public relations). Request the crime statistics for your neighborhood. You might not get a list of who committed the crime, but you should be able to get information on how many break-ins, auto thefts, rapes, etc. have taken place over the last few years. Sometimes the records go back for decades.

This is the best way to find out how safe your neighborhood is. Do remember that the crimes that have been committed on your street in the past aren't always perfect indicators of what will happen in the future. Just because no one has been robbed on your street this year doesn't mean someone won't be burglarized tomorrow. However, if there have been a lot of crimes committed in the past, this is a pretty good indicator that a similar trend will continue.

If there have been quite a few home break-ins in your area, you may want to consider an aggressive home security plan, such as a whole home security system that can protect your house and your family by sending the police if someone tries to get in. On the other hand, if there hasn't been a break-in for years, you may feel safe with a less aggressive approach. Maybe you'll feel it's enough to install common sense home security items (i.e. replacing weak door and window locks) and adopt good security practices (i.e. don't leave doors unlocked, don't leave garages doors up, and don't leave tools in the yard burglars could use to break in, etc.).

Remember, the first step to protecting yourself and your family is to find out how secure your neighborhood is.

Disaster Preparedness: The Essentials Of Emergency Supplies

Whether it’s earthquake, flood, tornado, hurricane, or brush fire, we’re all encouraged to be prepared. And what better way to ensure your family’s wellbeing than to have the emergency supplies you need always at hand? When people feel prepared, they cope with emergencies better. So make it a family project to assemble what you need. Before disaster strikes Although you can’t always know in advance when a particular disaster will strike, seasonal or regional patterns can often tell you what to expect. Be sure to have on hand the supplies your family will need. Water: You should store at least one gallon of water per person per day, for a minimum of three days. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking. Other needs include washing, cooking and sanitation. Children, nursing mothers, and those who are ill need more water. High temperatures can double the amount of water needed. To be prepared with the safest emergency supply, it is recommended you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and don’t open it until you need it. Store the containers in a cool, dark place, and rotate them every six months. Food: Include a three-day supply of non-perishable food per person, avoiding items that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content. Stock canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that don’t require refrigeration, cooking, water, or special preparation. Individuals with special diets and allergies will need particular attention, as will babies, toddlers and elderly people. Nursing mothers may need liquid formula, in case they are unable to nurse. Canned dietetic foods, juices and soups may be helpful for ill or elderly people. Other Emergency Supplies: Include these items in your emergency kit. •Emergency Radio •Emergency Sanitation Supplies •Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener •Shovel and other useful tools •Emergency Lighting •Household liquid bleach to treat drinking water •Money and matches in a waterproof container •Fire extinguisher •Gas and Water Shut off Tools •First aid kit and manual •Photocopies of credit and identification cards •Special needs items, such as eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries •Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers •Other items to meet your unique family needs Clothing: If you live in a cold climate, you must think about warmth since you may be without heat for a time. Be sure to include one complete change of clothing and shoes per person, including: •Jacket or coat •Long pants •Long sleeve shirt •Sturdy shoes •Hat, mittens, and scarf •Sleeping bag or warm blanket Storage: Just as important as putting your supplies together is maintaining them so they are safe to use when needed. Here are some tips to keep your supplies ready and in good condition: •Keep canned foods in a cool dry place. •Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests and to extend shelf life. •Throw out any canned good that becomes swollen, dented, or corroded. •Change stored food and water supplies every six months. Be sure to write the storage date on all containers. •Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family needs change. •Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as an unused trashcan, camping backpack, or duffel bag. Ensure you are ready for future events by restocking your emergency supply kits now. Then, if things go wrong, you’ll be prepared.

Car Seat Safety Suggestions

Using a car seat is the most important step in helping to secure the security of your kids in the car. But just owning a car seat is not enough in itself: the car seat needs to be used, and it has to be used properly. Here are helpful steps to follow to help assure that your kids will be as secure as possible in their car seats.

- Always be sure to read and understand the manufacturer's recommendations on how to use the car seat properly. Improper car seat usage is the main cause of car seat failure. Also completely read the owner's manual for your car as it relates to the usage of car seats. Most car owner's manuals have specific instructions for car seat installation and these instructions must always be adhered to.

- To increase the security of your children, only put the car seat in the rear set of your vehicle, not in the front seat. Ideally, you should put the car set in the middle of the rear seat to increase protection against intrusion during side-impact collisions.

- If your car seat can only be used in the front seat (if there is no back seat), only install it there if there is no front seat airbag or if the airbag can be disabled. And then make sure that the airbag is indeed off. Never use a car seat in the front seat of a vehicle if the passenger-side airbag is enabled.

- Keep your infant in a rear-facing car seat for as long as they meet the size and weight restrictions for that car seat when it is rear-facing. In general, it is safer for your kids to be facing to the rear.

- When you place your child in their car seat, be certain the straps fit snugly and be sure to use the chest strap. The chest strap should go over the chest as per the manufacturer's instructions. If this strap is too low, your child may not be secure in the event of an accident. If the chest strap is too high, it may crush your child's neck in an accident.

- Once your child gets to big or heavy for their car seat, you should use a booster seat until such time as the seat belt fits them properly. This is typically until they are about 4' 9" tall or 80 pounds. Check your vehicle owner's guide for the exact limits on your vehicle. When it does fit correctly, the shoulder belt should fit over the shoulders, not on the neck, and the lap belt should fit across the hips, not on the belly.

- After you suppose you have the car seat correctly put in, have it examined by a certified car seat technician. This can usually be done in minutes, usually at no charge. Check http://www.seatcheck.org/ to locate the closest seat check location to you.

- Avoid used car seats unless you know the history and age of the car seat. Do not buy car seats more than five years old, or car seats that have been in an accident. Be certain that used car seats still have all of their labels with the manufacturing information, manufacturing date, and model number. In addition, make sure that the manual is available; never purchase a car seat without the manual.

- If your automobile comes equipped with the LATCH system for car seats, make sure you get LATCH-compatible car seats. Using the LATCH system makes for easier installation, leading to increased security and reduced chance of installation mistakes. Despite this, the installation should still be checked by a certified car seat technician.

- Check out the web site for the manufacturer for your vehicle. Many times, automobile manufacturer's website will list, on a per-model basis, the car seats that they recommend for usage in their cars.

Back to School: Bus Safety Tips

Beginning in early August and all the way through much of September, schools throughout the country begin welcoming students back from their summer hiatus. Whether you are a parent, child, school administrator, driver, or a concerned citizen, the following tips will help keep our nation's students safe.

1. Bus Stop. Your child's bus stop should be in an area that is well lit, easily accessible, and away from traffic. If it is not, contact school administrators to have the stop moved. In some situations you may need to contact the school board instead. If you live in an area where there is heavy snowfall, make sure that the stop is sufficiently free of snow, ice, and related debris.

2. Clothing. Children should be wearing bright colored clothing, especially if waiting for the bus before sunrise or getting home after dark. Place removable reflective tape on their outer garments including on their hats and coats.

3. Boarding. Teach your children to only move forward to board the school bus when it has come to a complete stop and the driver opens the door. Children should line up single file as they await entrance.

4. Seating. Virtually all school buses DO NOT come equipped with seatbelts, nor are seats strong enough to resist impact in the event of a crash. Teach your children to be seated at all times and facing forward. Study various brace positions to prepare for the possibility of an accident. Learn optional exit strategies including using the emergency door or windows.

5. Exiting. When exiting the bus, children must move far away from the vehicle to allow the driver to see that they have cleared the bus and are safely away from traffic. Instruct your children to stay away from the bus' rear wheels at all times.

6. Awareness. Teach your children to be aware of other traffic in the area. Do not assume that drivers will stop for them or even see them. If children must cross the street, they are to do so only with the driver directing them. Have them constantly looking both ways as they cross the street until they are safely on the other side.

Every year children die or are injured in school bus related accidents. Many die as a result of a collision involving their bus with another vehicle while others are killed or hurt as they fail to clear the area around the bus or are hit by oncoming traffic.

You can keep your child safe by raising their awareness of potential hazards while the rest of us can make school bus safety a priority by obeying the rules of the road. Let's make this school year a safe one.

Using a Bath Lift Safely

Using a Bath Lift Safely

Bath lifts are designed to aid people with mobility restrictions in enjoying a bath. They are installed on the side of the bathtub, and the user simply sits in the seat and is lowered into the tub. When the bath is finished, the seat then returns the user to the side of the tub.

These are wonderful devices for people who can not step into or out of a bathtub, however, knowing exactly which one you need can mean the difference between a nice bath, and a possibly dangerous situation.

A powered bath lift can be used without any help from outside caregivers. The user simply sits in the seat, which is situation outside the tub, and is “swiveled” into the tub and then lowered into the water. Once again, when the bath is complete, the user is raised out of the water, and again returned to the side of the tub above the floor. This is the best choice for someone with serious mobility restrictions.

Other types of bath lifts, however, can be used by people with less restriction in movement, but may prove harmful to those who can not support any weight on their legs. There are models that simply sit in the tub and then lower the user to the water. If someone who has no, or little, use of their legs were to use one of these lifts, they would have trouble getting up from the seat, and could very easily fall and hurt themselves.

When choosing the proper bath lift, it is imperative that you select the model that suits your needs individually. Choosing the wrong model could be disastrous. For instance, air pressure lifts normally have no back support. They would be very unstable for someone with sever balance difficulties.

Choosing the correct bath lift is very important for the safety and well being of the user. Choosing a lift simply based on price is not a recommended practice. Find out before you buy the lift exactly what the weight restrictions are, and how it works. You will need to know if it swivels to return you to the side of the tub, particularly if you have trouble stepping over the tub. Doing some research into the many models available is strongly encouraged before you purchase. Bath lifts are designed for safety and enjoyment, but if you choose the wrong one, then the design is useless. Make sure that you know exactly which lift you need to prevent any accidents, and allow yourself the freedom and enjoyment of a bath.

Family Safety Tips For Fairs, Festivals, And Amusement Parks

: How do you keep your child “stranger proof” this summer? When children are out of school, there is more time for families to make life-lasting memories when going out to enjoy fairs, festivals, and amusement parks. Here’s a plan to keep them safe. Parents, you know there is always an increased stress when it comes to the safety and security of your family during an outing. Can’t stand the anxiety? Not sure where to start? Take a few minutes with a family safety plan by following some of these easy steps so it’s not just the kids having all the fun…you can too! Before going to the event, tell your child... ... to have fun while paying attention to where they are and who they are with at all times. ...they should not be alone in the park or become isolated with anyone, even characters in costume. Tell them not to accept any prizes, offers, or gifts from anyone until they have checked with you FIRST. ...they should be cautioned not to engage in conversation with or offer assistance to anyone until they have checked with you. ...to tell you if anyone approaches them or makes them feel uncomfortable. Tell you children if they are approached by anyone who tries to take them to yell “This person is not my father (mother)!” and do whatever they need to do (kick, punch, scratch,) to get away from that person. ...if you become separated in the park to go to the closest “Help/Information Center” to ask the people there to “find my parents and bring them to me here at this Center” or, in the case of older children, make the “Help/Information Center” the spot where you can “meet up”. Make sure your child understands they should never search for you on their own or look for you outside the park, especially in the parking lot. ...these rules also apply when they are taking part in a field trip through their school or youth group. If you are not joining them for the trip, they need to check first with and tell the responsible adult in charge or a designated chaperone if anything is wrong. As a parent you should... ...get all the information about the park prior to you trip, and review the park guidelines, particularly those regarding lost children. Discuss the information with your family, including what to do if you become separated. As your children what they would do in certain situations, and practice appropriate actions and responses with your children. ...get a map immediately arriving, identify the “Help/Information Centers” throughout the park and reinforce the idea these are the places for children to go to in case you become separated in the park. Making a plan before hand, in case you are separated, should greatly speed up the reunion. ...talk to your child about who can help them if they become lost, need help, or are in trouble. Examples: park personnel with nametags or uniforms or mothers with strollers and children. ...never let your child use public bathrooms or changing facilities alone. ...not put your child’s name prominently displayed on clothing, backpacks, or jewelry. ...make sure your child has emergency contact numbers with them if they ever need assistance including your cell phone numbers. ...dress your child in or asking them to wear brightly colored clothes so you can easily spot them in the park. ...accompany young children on rides in the park. Older children should stay in groups and take a friend with them wherever they go in the park. If you decide to let young children go on rides without you, wait with them in line, watch them enter the ride, and immediately meet them when they exit the ride. ...immediately report any suspicious or inappropriate behavior to authorities. ...make certain your child has change to use the telephone. If you have a cell phone or pager, make certain your children know those numbers and how to activate them on the phone. Parents might want to invest in two way radios so family members can keep in contact with each other. ...immediately report your child missing if you become separated. Be prepared to give an accurate and detailed description of your child. You should carry a recent photograph and be able to accurately describe the clothing the your child is wearing ...make certain there is going to be qualified supervision of the children by responsible adults when granting permission for your child to go on a field trip. By taking the time to share with your family a safety plan for your next trip to a fair, festival or amusement park fun can be had by all, without the worry of a family member missing or lost.

Establishing Communication To Promote Online Safety For Children

Allowing your children to surf the Internet is a great learning experience. Children online have access to resources from all over the world as no generation before them has. Unfortunately, they are also exposed to people all over the world – both good and bad. What can parents do to protect children from online dangers? Keeping an open line of communication with children is the most important step towards online safety. By talking to your children, you establish yourself as a trustworthy confidant and children feel they can come to you with anything. You’ve probably already cautioned your children against talking to strangers. Remind them that the same rule applies to the Internet as well. Calmly remind them to not give out their full name, address or telephone number over the Internet. If they already have given out information, ask them about the situation. Is it someone from a nearby school or out of state? Ask them if the person has mentioned meeting, calling or sent pictures? If you have good communication with your child and they trust you, they should be willing to share this information if you ask with genuine interest. Think of what you are going to ask and how before you do it to avoid asking in a confrontational way. Also, don’t be afraid to discuss with your children dangers they may encounter on the Internet. Children like to be treated with respect just like adults, so be open and honest with them about the possible Internet dangers. Respectable news sources, such as Dateline and People magazine, have done features on Internet predators that form online relationships with children. Don’t be afraid to share these resources with your children, especially teens. Tell them, in an age appropriate way, that there are adults who prey on children online and often send them to inappropriate web site addresses or even send them pornography. Listen to how your children respond. They may already know more about online safety than you think they do. Many children are exposed to computer usage at a young age now, but some don’t know the full potential of the Internet. Many think it is simply a place to meet and chat with others. While that can be one rewarding aspect, you can also teach your children about other online resources. If they are interested in history, show them the Smithsonian home page. If you have a teen looking to attend college, point out that sites such as Yahoo have an extensive listing of colleges all around the country that they can visit online. If they love sports, look up the URL to their favorite team’s home page. Make the Internet fun for your children and share in these experiences with them. Online crimes may be impossible to eliminate completely, but parental involvement in their children’s online activities can help decrease them.