Don't Store Anything on Your Car's Passenger SeatYour car will sense the weight on the seat. If you are in an accident, the passenger airbag will deploy. It is expensive to replace airbags. This can make the difference in your insurance company deciding whether or not to total your car or repair it.
Check your License Plates RegularlyIt is very important to be familiar with your license plate number, or at a glance, know your license plate. Sometime last year, we had our rear license plate stolen and replaced with a different license plate. We noticed because when we went to close the trunk, the license plate rattled because a screw was loose.
Check Your Car's Lights RegularlyIt is important to check all your headlights, blinkers, brake light and signals to see if they are working properly. I do this bi-weekly, just a few minutes out of your day.
Nibble to Stay Awake on Long TripsOn those long trips where time is of essence, fight sleep by nibbling on any type of food/snack. The act of chewing uses face muscles that affect your eyelids. As long as you are using the muscles it takes to chew on something your eyes will stay focused and your eyelids will not droop.
Keep a Blanket in your Car for EmergenciesI find that keeping a blanket in your car for emergencies is a wonderful idea. I used to keep a sleeping bag when I lived in areas that would have snow in the winter for warmth.
Reduce Your Chance Of Auto TheftHere are several ideas I've learned over the years. Many of these are everyday common sense things to keep in mind that we already know about but others are, "Why didn't I think of that?" to use as added protection ideas.
GDTYL - Gotta Drive, Text Ya LaterTelling the kids to ignore the texts while they're driving doesn't cut it because the person texting just keeps it up until they get a response. Tell your kids to text "gdtyl" at the next traffic light and then wait until they can safely have their texting "conversation."
Don't Use Cruise Control In The RainI use my cruise control on an open road. It saves gas. I would like to caution you about using cruise control on wet roads. Don't use it on wet roads! Your tires may hydroplane, and the cruise will keep increasing the speed of the car.
Keep Emergency Supplies in TrunkI keep a small suitcase in my car's trunk with a change of clothing, personal hygiene products, and some spare money for emergencies.
Carry an Emergency Kit in Your CarMy friend was stranded in her car last evening when she went to use her cell phone it was dead. She told me she was so thankful she had listened to her Dad's advice which I decided to pass along to you for yourself or someone you care about.
Wait To Unlock Your Car DoorWhen I am in parking lots going in or coming out of the store, I see people all the time clicking their car unlocker. They are like 20 or 40 feet away from the car. Please don't do that! Every time I see some one do that I think, wow, they are calling attention to themselves saying here I am and that is my car and it is now unlocked.
Turn Wheels To Lessen Impact In A Car AccidentTo lessen front end impact when you see you're about to be rear-ended, turn your front wheels so you'll not hit the vehicle in front of you square on.
Safety Tips For Road TripsA very dear friend was recently stranded in her car on a very cold winter night. She ran out of gas and wasn't nervous about it until she went to use her cell phone and the battery wasn't charged.
Roadside Assistance TipsA lot of people pay for roadside assistance but don't have the numbers handy. Check to make sure you have numbers to call in your wallet or purse and program them into your cell phone.
Don't Stop For Unmarked Police Cars(?)This was recently submitted, similar versions are making their way around the internet and have been for years. It's an urban legend but probably worthy of mention.
Don't Drive Through Flood WatersTo save yourself a bunch of heartache, headache, possibly your life and the life of your automobile, do not drive through flood waters. You could be thinking that it's not very deep, when the road could possibly be washed out.
Double Check Your Tire Changing ToolsWhile at home, before going on a trip, check the original manufacturer's tire tool kit to see if you can change the tire if needed.
Emergency Information on Car SeatsRecently at a kids day event, they were handing out orange emergency stickers you could put on your child's car seat/booster in the car. I had more than one child in car seats so I decided to make something emergency personnel could use.
The Value of Cell Phones When TravellingMy son and I learned a valuable lesson about cell phones in a car this fall. We left to make a trip to Frankfort (which is probably 100 or more miles away) to obtain a birth certificate copy. Outside Lexington we hit a construction area and picked up a nail having a flat.
Emergency Cell Phone For Your CarSo you're on you're way home and you get into an accident or your car breaks down. You're trapped in your car. You have no way out. You can't afford cell phone service. What do you do? Did you know that if you keep any cell phone new or old charged even WITHOUT paying for service that you can dial a 911 call in case of emergencies to get the help you need.
Emergency Car KitYou never know when you could break down in bad weather and eventhough you have a cell phone, you never know how long it will be until the tow truck will be there. So here are somethings you should keep in a plastic tub in your trunk:
Check Your TiresBe sure to look at all your tires before getting in the car, as one might be low and cause you to have a blow-out and wreck.
By Terri H.
Emergency UmbrellaKeep a small folding umbrella and a plastic bag (for when you have a wet umbrella) in your car so that if the weather changes, you are prepared. Its easy to slip into a purse or pocket.
Keep Reflector Tape In Your CarLets hope this doesn't happen, but if you become stranded at night and need to make your car seen. Put a large X of reflector tape across the inside of the trunk lid and on the inside of your hood. Lift the trunk and hood, and your car can be seen from a distance.
By Tracey
