Tag Archives: Safety

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

THE DANGERS OF WIRING AND HOW TO STAY SAFE (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Jake @ CustardMedia.co.uk

Working with electrical wiring can be very dangerous. This is particularly true for those who have never worked with wiring before. If you are planning to complete a do-it-yourself wiring job, you need to understand the dangers of working with wiring and how you can avoid these dangers. Safety should always be your primary concern. Even though it may be a bit less expensive to do your own repair jobs and home maintenance, it is always a much better idea to call in a professional if you are not completely certain of what you are doing. Electrical shock can be fatal and is one of the most common incidents that occur when homeowners work on their own wiring. Aside from electrical shock, you also risk a fire hazard if your wiring is not done properly. That being said, here are a few tips that will help you to ensure your safety when working with electricity. 

1.       Know when you are in over your head. Again, if you are not a professional electricity expert, you should know when to call one. If at any time you realize that you are completely unsure of what you are doing, stop and call in an electrician. It is much better to pay a few extra dollars and get the job done properly than to risk electrical shock or fire.

2.       Make sure that all power is turned off before you begin working on any electrical wiring. You should turn off the power at the main and check to see that it is indeed turned off. You can turn off each individual circuit as needed as long as you check to ensure that the proper circuit is turned off before you begin. If you are not certain as to which circuit runs the electricity you need to turn off, turn off the entire main just to be on the safe side.

3.       Wear gloves when possible to protect your hands. When working with electrical wiring, there may be sharp points or edges that can cause you to cut yourself. Protect yourself from injury by wearing work gloves whenever you can.

4.       Rubber boots can help to protect you when working with electricity as well. Remember that water and electricity do not mix well so if you are working with electricity and there is any chance that water or dampness may be evident, wearing rubber boots can help you to avoid electrical shock. Rubber boots will stop an electrical current from reaching your body. Make sure that you check your rubber boots to ensure that there are no holes that could allow water to touch your feet.

5.       Safety glasses are very important when working with electricity. These will help you to protect your eyes from dust and debris as well as electrical sparks. If you are working with electrical wiring and you need to cut holes or otherwise drill into a wall or ceiling, safety glasses will ensure that you do not get debris in your eyes that could cause infection or in very extreme cases, blindness. 

This article was written by Electric Point, electrical wholesalers in the UK.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues

WHICH TYPE OF SCAFFOLDING TOWER IS BEST FOR YOUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT? (GUEST POST)

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Submitted by Matthew Wood. 

Scaffolding helps to shape some of the major construction or repair plans of buildings and provides the formwork for the materials that will keep such structures in place.

Without scaffolding we wouldn’t have such glorious architecture in place in our society today. One particular form of scaffolding comes in towers – these are designed for construction workers to make changes to structures above the ground. Hence the appearance of a vertical framework against the side of a building and the name ‘tower’.

Scaffold towers come in three different formats and each has different attributes to them that make them appealing for various construction jobs. 

Aluminium Scaffolding Towers

Aluminium scaffolding towers are lightweight and designed to be easy to use – making them an ideal solution for residential structures and tasks such as painting or installing a window. Typically, scaffolding can be made of steel but the aluminium structure is a much more practical answer if you’re looking for mobility. While aluminium scaffolding can be more expensive than steel, it is more durable and rust free.

Fibreglass Scaffolding Towers

 Fibreglass scaffolding towers are developed to provide functionality while prioritising safety. Because the structure is made of fibreglass, it can prevent hazards such as electrocution – making it the only solution for environments where electricity is present. Durable and easy to use, the fibreglass scaffolding tower is the most expensive type of scaffold tower on the market. These units come with straight forward setup instructions and are built by simply piecing them together. This also makes them a fantastic portability option – some structures even come with wheels so you don’t have to dismantle them.

Steel Scaffolding Towers

Steel scaffolding towers are the most traditional and common type of formwork structure on the market. Noted for being extremely durable, steel scaffolding towers are predominantly used when workers are dealing with large, heavy and articulated materials. However, these structures are difficult to move – mainly because of their excessive weight – and therefore should only be used for specific jobs that don’t require mobility. For all operations that require the use of heavy-weighted materials, steel scaffolding towers really are the only answer to your problems.

In conclusion

With the use of this article, assessing the respective needs of your construction and the requirements of the job in hand should now be able to help you to make an informed decision when choosing which scaffolding to invest in or hire.

An experienced and talented copywriter, Matthew Wood writes SEO savvy content for a collection of online publications and web projects.  Matthew’s latest work involves writing creative and engaging content on the subjects of Scaffolding Supplies and Formwork for the established online brand Unit Plant Services.

I might add that safety harnesses and safety lanyardsshould be used when working on scaffolds.  Thanks, Matthew, for this advice on selecting the right scaffolding tower.  pb

 

General Safety Issues

WHY CONGESTION CHARGES WORK (GUEST POST)

By James Maloney

Transportation in urban areas around the world has been bogged down due to heavy congestion. There are simply too many vehicles for the roads to handle. However, in 2003 Transport for London found a simple, yet effective way to reduce congestion – they applied congestion charges. Congestion charges are fees that vehicle owners have to pay for their vehicles to be on the streets of London between 7 in the morning and 6 in the evening during weekdays (excluding official holidays).

Transport for London claims that the scheme has reduced the number of vehicles on city roads by as much as 70,000 per day thereby reducing congestion by 25%. Right now, this would hardly be noticeable as there are still many streets that are always busy, but the main reason for congestion is still the number of works done on roads and gas lines.

The primary benefit of the congestion charging scheme is of course to reduce congestion in urban areas, but there are quite a number of other benefits as well.

For instance, the fees that are accumulated during the scheme are used to improve the London public transportation systems – more busses have been improved and also the subway system (known locally as the Tube) is constantly being improved to accommodate the billion passengers it takes every year. Pollution on city streets has also been greatly reduced, creating a healthy environment. Reducing the number of vehicles on the roads by 70,000 has definitely reduced the amount of carbon that enters the atmosphere.

Safety has also improved in Greater London and within the charging zone. Collision reports have been reduced by as much as 6%. In the charging zone, this was reduced by as much as 8%. A reduction in congestion has meant that vehicles were able to get to their destination a lot faster. The delivery of goods and services has improved and London is running smoother.

The congestion charging system is very effective. The charging zone has been fixed with over 300 high quality cameras that take photos of vehicle license plates. The plate numbers are then entered into the database and matched against the plate numbers of those who have already paid the congestion charge and those that are exempted from paying.

The ones left are those that have not paid the congestion charge either before they entered the zone or within the day. Penalties are quite heavy for those who weren’t able to pay the congestion charge. The penalty is £120 ($190 U.S. dollars, ouch!), but is dropped to £60 ($85)  if it is paid within 14 days or two weeks. Paying the fee on time will save a vehicle owner a whole lot of money from having to pay the penalty.

Drivers do not know whether or not a photo of their license plate was captured whilst they were in the c-zone. If they drive within the zone and do not pay the congestion charge, a notice will be sent to them by mail with the corresponding amount that they will need to pay in penalty charges.

The congestion charge ranges from £9 ($14) to £12 ($19)  and discounts are offered to those who are driving “green” and eco-friendly vehicles or vehicles that use alternative sources of fuel. There are many popular car brands focus their marketing efforts on their cars being cheaper to run in London because they use alternative sources of fuel like electricity, hybrid hydrogen, and other sources of fuel.

The congestion charging scheme has certainly helped London reduce the number of vehicles on the city streets and improve the quality of their public transportation systems, and the quality of life of their residents at the same time.

 This would probably compare to U.S. Toll Roads.  Any way to reduce busy highway traffic is great.  Our thanks to James Maloney for this great info!  Also, for telling me how to convert your pounds into U.S. bucks! pb

@JamesOnCars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

TEN TIPS FOR KEEPING THE PEACE AMONG SIBLINGS (GUEST POST)

This weekend, we are going to feature various articles about child care that are important to all parents and caregivers.
This article from BabySitters.net gives us some insight into the mystery of peace among brothers and sisters.  I could have used this when my three were growing up! pb

For parents and caregivers of multiple children, keeping the peace among siblings can seem like a full-time job in and of itself. Siblings may fight for a parent’s attention, they may fight over a toy, or they may fight because their developmental levels are so different from one another that it’s hard for them to relate to each other. If siblings have opposing temperaments, such as when one is laid back and one craves a rigid routine, they may also bicker constantly because they are simply wired differently, making it hard for them to connect.

Fortunately there are things parents and caregivers can do to help keep the peace among siblings.

These include:

Allowing them their own space. Siblings spend most of their time together, and often it is not by choice. Allowing each child to have their own space and to play independently can help defuse feelings of resentment. While siblings should of course learn to play nicely together, allowing children to play alone at times gives them permission to take a much needed break from a sibling when needed. When a child says he wants to play alone, insisting other children allow him to do so provides an opportunity to teach about respect.

Allowing them their own things. While most of the toys in your home will be available for any and all children to use, each child should have a few cherished toys that they aren’t required to share. When children have their own things they are forced to take responsibility and ownership of them. Having a few toys that are share-free can help children to feel like individuals, which is important for their self-esteem.

Laying the ground rules.When it comes to acceptable and unacceptable treatment of siblings, the rules should be clear and few. Your rules may read something like this: “In our home we are kind to our siblings. We don’t hurt our siblings with our hands or our words.”  Make a simple sign and hang it on the fridge so everyone is reminded of the rules.

Staying out of it. At all costs, parents must avoid taking sides. Trying to assign blame or figure out who did what only makes the situation worse. When safety isn’t an issue, stay out of it for as long as possible to give the children a chance to work it out on their own. If you do need to intervene, instead of trying to referee, insist that both children stop doing whatever they’re doing wrong.

Teaching them to talk it out.For a child, learning to communicate their feelings with words, rather than fists, doesn’t always come naturally. Get out a paper towel tube and give it to one child at a time. Encourage them to use “I and when” statements to communicate their feelings with words rather than fists. “I feel hurt when you won’t let me play trucks with you.” While you may have to model and coach them through their dialogue at first, teaching them to talk it out is a life lesson that’s worth the time invested in instruction.

Insist they kiss and make up. When the children fight, encourage the instigator to apologize and say something nice to his sibling. When you do this, it forces the child to consider something nice about his sibling and allows the child who was hurt to hear something nice about himself. Teaching children to never go to bed angry is another life lesson worth teaching.

Appreciate each child. While it can be tempting to compare siblings, don’t. Appreciate each child for the unique being she is. If one child loves dance and the other baseball, encourage them to each pursue their own interests and passions. Don’t expect all siblings, even twins, to be cut from the same mold. As each child is unique, so is each sibling.

Spend time alone with each child. Carving out one-on-one time for each child every day can significantly reduce sibling rivalry. Each child wants to know that they are special to you and valuable enough to have your undivided attention. Whether it be giving each child a bath, reading a book to each child before bed or going for a short walk with each child after dinner, spending time with each child individually is vital to helping siblings to get along.

Foster a friendship. Your children are siblings by blood, friends by choice. Encourage your children to become friends. Provide opportunities for them to help and support each other. From attending school events in support of each other, to getting a diaper for a baby sibling, adopting an “I am here to help and support you” attitude in your children will foster lasting friendships for life.

Praise good behavior. When you see your children treating each other kindly and with respect, call them out on it. “I saw how you shared your last piece of candy with your brother. That was so kind and something a good friend would do. I am so proud you made the choice to share.”  When you call attention to desirable behavior, you naturally reinforce it.

While almost all siblings will bicker and argue from time to time, with a little planning and support from parents and caregivers, the overall relationships between siblings can be peaceful. 

It is a wonderful gift to be able to see your grown children truly become best friends, and be there for each other. pb

General Safety Issues

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GYM (Guest Post)

Okay, gang, we’ve just finished the Labor Day holiday, and it’s back to work!  Well, it’s not all work, and no play, so enjoy this article about how to find the gym that is right for you….No excuses!  Let’s exercise! pb

Whether you’ve been sitting on the couch every night for the past 10 years or you’re just looking to change up your workout, joining a gym is an excellent fitness decision. Access to knowledgeable people and expensive equipment will help get you moving and in the best shape of your life. But choosing a gym isn’t as simple as walking in and signing up. It’s important to find one that suits you so that you’ll actually follow through with your fitness goals. When checking out the gyms in your area, keep these seven things in mind.

  1. Location:

In real estate, it’s all about location, location, location, and it’s no different when choosing a gym. You may love the state-of-the-art facility on the other side of town, but it’ll be that much harder to motivate yourself to go if you know you have to drive or walk far out of your way to get there. A good rule of thumb is the 15-minute rule. If the gym is more than 15 minutes away from your home or work, you shouldn’t buy a membership there. 

  1. Price:

Besides being committed to working out regularly, you have to be committed to paying for your membership each month before you sign up with a gym. Of course, you get what you pay for.  You have to determine what you can afford and what services you’ll actually use. Check around town for the best rates, and check out whether you can pay less if you’re not going to take any group classes or personal training sessions. And always read the fine print to make sure you’re not getting suckered into a three- or five-year commitment. That could be a lot of wasted money if your situation changes and you can’t go to the gym anymore.

  1. Friends:

Ask around when you start your gym search to see if you have any friends who love their gyms. Not only can you get great suggestions (or reasons to avoid a certain gym), you might also find a workout buddy. If you don’t know anyone who’s already a gym member, try to find someone who wants to join with you. Having a gym partner will keep you motivated and hold you accountable, helping you get your money’s worth.

  1. Amenities:

The price of your membership will probably reflect the amenities that are included, so you should consider what you need and what you can do without. Do you want top-of-the-line offerings, such as a juice bar, sauna, and Jacuzzi? Will you be unhappy if towels aren’t provided for you? Will you be using the locker room showers or the child care center? Decide which of these amenities are important to you and ask to check them out on your gym tour.

  1. Clientele:

One of the biggest hindrances to people who want to get in shape is that they are often embarrassed by how out of shape they are. If you’re worried about getting sweaty or jiggly in front of super-fit gym members or the hot girl or guy on the treadmill next to you, you might consider that fact when trying to find a gym where you can work out until you are an unattractive, stinky mess. Look for clientele who look similar to you, whether that means mostly the same sex, mostly the same age, or mostly the same fitness level. You wouldn’t want to end up at a gym for body builders when you’re just trying to slim down.

  1. Size and popularity:

The reason you’re probably joining a gym is so that you can use their expensive fitness equipment, so it’s important to find a gym that has enough equipment to go around. During peak hours at popular gyms, it’s not unusual for you to have to wait for a machine and be limited on how long you can use it. For most gyms, the busiest hours are mid-morning and early evening. If you know what time of day you’ll want to work out, visit the gym at that time to see how crowded it is and what kinds of machines are open. The other perks of the facility won’t be worth it if you can’t get the kind of workout you want.

  1. Staff:

The front-desk staff should be friendly and helpful, and there should always be a staff member on hand willing to help out members who need help or explanations of machines. The staff members will probably treat you very well when you’re considering joining, so keep an eye out for how they treat current members as you walk through on your tour. If you think you might take personal training sessions in the future, you should also ask what kind of experience and certifications their personal trainers have. You don’t want to be stuck with a trainer who doesn’t know the difference between your biceps and your gluteus maximus.

This article was sent by Liz Nutt, of http://www.insurancequotes.org/.  Thanks, Liz for the great tips.

 

 

Eye Protection, First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues

SAFETY ADVICE FOR LABOR DAY, 2012

For the United States and Canada, Labor Day (Labour Day), is officially celebrated on the first Monday of September.  Other countries observe their Labor Days on May1st, or other chosen dates annually.  In the U.S. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894.  This day was to celebrate workers and improve their working conditions.  It was a day of celebration and/or rest. 

Now, Labor Day describes the last major holiday before Thanksgiving, and the last chance for a long weekend to wrap up summer activities.  Despite the high cost of gasoline, many choose to travel at least more than 50 miles from home.  It is predicted by AAA that approximately thirty-three million Americans will be on the roads between Thursday, August 30th, and Monday, September 3rd.   Eighty-five per cent of them will go by car, an estimated eight per cent will fly, and others will be on trains, buses, or cruise ships. 

If you drive, please observe speed limits, no use of cell phones or alcohol while driving, and obey the law.  State troopers will be watching, to ensure that you do just that.  Be sure all passengers are buckled up and leave early enough that you don’t have to rush to reach your destination.  Have someone riding with you to “man” the cell phone; if you are alone, just turn it off and get your messages later.  If it’s off, you won’t be tempted to text and drive! 

There are plenty of things we can do to be entertained at home or gatherings with our friends.  It is wise to stay off the roads during this holiday, which has been shown to be the second deadliest holiday of the year, with Thanksgiving #1.  Volunteering is always a great day to spend a holiday, and many folks can use the help! Should you plan a barbecue or picnic, keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot and don’t invite the insects.  Keep some insect repellent handy wherever you are, remember, West Nile Virus has hit pretty hard in places such as north Texas.  Pack the usual necessities for picnics, hiking, cookouts, boating, camping, fishing: along with insect repellent, add sunscreen, a first aid kit, sunglasses, and a NOAA weather radio, just in case of a rapid change in the weather. 

There still remain thousands of workers who haven’t found work, so let’s hope that they have something to celebrate next Labor Day – a job!  Have a safe holiday, and return home safely.

General Safety Issues

ONE MEANING OF THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – SLOW DOWN!

Many things go through our minds when school starts – for parents and children, it’s the beginning of a whole new school year – and it carries different meanings for everyone.  For the kids, it’s a brand new start – a chance to do better, strive to make better grades, and have fun!  For parents, it’s a rushed time to  prepare their lunches, or be sure they have lunch money, get them all to school on time,  and ensure that they arrive safely.    Parents should set the alarm a little earlier than usual, allowing for interruptions that might cause their child to be late to school, resulting in tardiness at work for them, as well.  For the rest of us, whose children are grown-ups, it’s a time for us to slow down – literally! 

Too many accidents happen because someone is in a big hurry.  We’re used to driving down the street that the school building is on at a speed that’s a little faster than the limit during school hours.  In many states, cell phones are banned in school zones, so put that cell phone away until you are safely away from the school zone.  Remember to watch for little ones.  This applies to parents, teens, and all other motorists.  One mistake caused by careless or hurried driving could change many lives, so slow down.  Regardless of how children are going to get to school, they must understand safety precautions.  Before school starts, if your child is going to walk to school, take a few practice walks with him/her.  Be sure they know to stop and look both ways, and never  dart out in front of a car.  If they want to ride their bikes, be sure they wear their helmets, and that they understand the rules of the road.  If a school bus is to be their mode of transportation, go to the bus stop with them the first few times to be sure they know how to get on and off the bus, and that they always stand six feet away from the curb.  Motorists must stop for school buses that have stopped to load or unload passengers. 

According to the National Safety Council, in 2009, over 230,000 children visited hospital emergency rooms because of playground injuries – many could have been prevented.  Children should use playgrounds with a soft surface.  Playgrounds with concrete, grass and dirt surfaces are too hard.  Monkey bars are unsafe and should not be used by children of any age.  Those under the age of four should not use climbing equipment. 

Last, but certainly not least,  an age-old problem in schools is bullying.  It’s sad but true  that there is some child that is going to pick on another child and make their day miserable.  Parents are responsible to teach their children that this is not acceptable; if theirs is the bully, and they are aware of it, they must put a stop to it.  If your child is the victim, encourage him/her to stay with a group of friends who will stand up for him.  All children should be taught to treat everyone the way they want to be treated, and this rule can be learned at a very young age.

Teachers should not tolerate bullying behavior and inform parents about what is going on so they can correct it.  Times are different than back in the “good old days”, when there was a certain amount of picking on or teasing someone, but it seems that it has reached a new level, and become even life-threatening in older teens on some occasions, such as online cyber-bullying.    

Hopefully this will be a happy and safe 2012 – 2013 school year for all.  Parents, cherish these times because they go by all too fast!  Support your kids in their extracurricular activities and studies, and take the time to ask them about how their school life is going.  They need to know you are interested.  Again, have a good school year, and keep our kids safe by driving slowly in school zones and paying close attention to their safety.

General Safety Issues

SAFETY TIPS WHILE HANDLING ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (Guest Post)

Safety Tips While Handling Electrical Appliances sent by Penny Cooper.  ‘Penny is an expert associated with Pass Ltd., providers of PAT training and PASS training & development courses in and around England. Click here for more information.’

Taking precautionary measures when you handle electrical equipment is highly imperative. If you aren’t careful and don’t follow best practices, there is a high risk of injury resulting from electrical shock to you and those around you. Whether it’s your home or your workplace, accidents can happen at any time if you do not follow the safety rules properly. Safety and health training teaches people how electrical equipments and sources can be dealt with in a responsible and safe manner. It is important to follow these rules to keep electrical dangers at bay. Following is some crucial information in safety and health training. 

There should be no moisture around electrical equipment or cords. You should not use damp hands to handle electrical equipment. Doing so can cause an electric shock or fatal injuries. Torn or broken cords must be replaced immediately. Workers must familiarise themselves with the exact location of circuit breakers and fuses in a building. This could be very important in times of crisis or an emergency situation. Safety posters with procedures for electrical safety must be put up in rooms that are prone to electrical hazards. 

The importance of testing and maintaining electrical equipment  

Make sure that you get conductors and circuits tested before a worker can handle them. You should also put tag-out and lockout procedure into place when you handle electrical equipment. These methods play a major role in ensuring your safety and keeping you away from injuries. You must test and maintain electrical equipment on a daily basis so as to ensure safety. When electrical sockets are not being used, it is important to cover them with safety covers. This reduces the risk of getting an electrical shock. 

Check for signs and eliminate hazards  

If you want to ensure that your home or workplace is free from electrical dangers, you must look into a few things. Check for signs of overheating or burning when you are using any electrical equipment or cords. See if you get small jolts of shock when you use a certain electrical appliance. Make sure that all of your electrical equipment is working fine, and if not, ensure that only certified electricians are carrying out the task of repairing them. Make sure that all extension cords and wires are arranged properly so as to ensure that no one trips and falls. Also make sure that all appliances that are being used are properly grounded.

 Training courses for health and safety will encourage you to pay attention to the electrical outlets and ensure that not too many plugged items are overloading them. These courses will also teach you how an electrical burn injury must be dressed. If someone is stuck to an electrical current, the training teaches you to find the source of power and then shut the electrical current as soon as possible in such situations. If you’re afraid of shutting off the current directly, you may use anything that is made from wood to move the person away from the current.

General Safety Issues

TIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR SUMMER ROAD TRIPS (Guest Post)

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Tire Safety Tips for your Summer Road Trip

By Jack Payton

Jack Payton is a car nut in the purest form. He loves to write about everything gear related, and rebuilt his first engine at 15. He works as the online publisher for the online tire retailer http://www.tires-easy.com/.  In his spare time he enjoys cruising, attending car shows, and collecting vinyl.

            My favorite part of summer is traveling. Now, I don’t mean anything fancy there is no call for lavish trips to Europe or the Bahamas; often I find the best trips are found a little closer to home. Road tripping is the unsung epic of the new American west, and from the week long trips as a child in the old family van to my day drives into the mountains on the weekends, I have many fond memories of road hopping from point A to point Basking in the sun on some beach somewhere. But before you hit the road this summer, don’t forget the importance of safety. I’m going to give you the same advice your grandmother would give you, only I don’t have to put my teeth in first to deliver: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound cure. When it comes to tire safety, here are some tips to keep you and yours square on the road.

            Check tire pressure: This should be performed at least once a month, but absolutely before you leave on any distance drive. It is typical for tires to deflate 1 psi per month, as well as 1 psi per 8-degree loss in ambient temperature. According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on tire-related crashes, the leading cause of tire failure is under inflation. Inadequate inflation will also lead to a drop in gas mileage and an increase in tire wear, costing you more money in the long run.

            Rotate your tires: “Don’t they rotate every time I drive?” Ignore my daughter’s sarcasm there. Tire rotation is a very important practice to be performed at your local auto and tire tech. Rotation is essential to ensure even tread wear. Excessive loss of tread can cause the vehicle to lose its balance of grip on the road, and can become a major problem waiting to happen.

            Adjust the alignment regularly: Misalignment of the steering and suspension, can adversely affect the steering feel and stability of a vehicle, as well as cause rapid and uneven tire wear. If you feel the steering pulling in one direction or another when traveling straight ahead on a flat road with no crosswind, or if you notice uneven wear on the front tires, you should have the alignment checked and adjusted as soon as possible.

            Replace tires in pairs or complete sets: Installing different tires on the right and left side of the vehicle can tendentiously affect its balance and handling. For this reason, it is imperative that tires are replaced in front or rear pairs, or in a complete set—never one at a time. Regardless if the vehicle is rear, front, or all wheel drive, the new pair of tires should always go on the back, as maximum rear traction will ensure stability of the entire vehicle. By no means should you ever put tires of differing construction—such as radial or bias ply—on opposite ends or sides, because handling will be adversely affected.

            Select the right tires for the right driving environment: Most drivers are comfortable with all-season tires; so that most new vehicles now come equipped with them. However, more specialized tires for performance, rain, snow, off-road and touring have made the idea of matching your environment much easier, and this certainly has its advantages. Just consider that excellent qualities are most likely achieved at the expense of others. Determine what your crucial needs are, and narrow your choices accordingly. Then, if possible, drive a similar vehicle equipped with the tires you are considering.

            This summer, get the most out of your vacation and your tires. Avoid the short cuts that can cost you more in the long run, and remember to take a little extra time to play it safe. Memories of the good times will be your reward at the end of the road.

Thanks, Jack, for this very entertaining and informative article. pb