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Safe
& Sound
- Asleep
at the Wheel
Follow these tips and warning signs to stay awake and safe..
- Car
Deals
When is it a great deal, or one of those that's too good to be
true. Spot the difference.
- The
Greener Grass Can be Yours
A change in blade height can save on water bills, improve your
grass and more.
- Not
so Safe Decals
Once thought helpful, these tot-spotters should be removed from
your home.
- Let
'em Shine
Will your house numbers shine in an emergency so you can be found?
- Billions
and billions
The number of text messages are exploding. Make sure yours are
created safely -- not behind the wheel.
-
Checkup on Key Systems
Many home systems need regular inspections by professionals to
ensure they're up to par. Are yours?
Weary
Travelers
Sleepy
facts: Driving while drowsy causes more than 100,000 crashes
each year. Although sleep deprivation can affect anyone, according
to the National Sleep Foundation
you are at increased risk if you fit into one of these categories:
- shift workers,
especially those on night or rotating shifts
- males under
age 26
- workers
who log more than 60 hours a week
- adults with
children still living in the house
Signs of
trouble: You can't stop yawning, don't clearly remember the
last few miles you've driven, or veered onto a shoulder rumble strip.
Quick fixes:
Pull off the road, and grab some caffeine, whether in coffee,
tea, soda, or gum. Because it takes about 30 minutes to feel caffeine's
pick-me-up effects, use the time to take a 15- to 20-minute nap.
It's safest,
of course, to make sure you're well-rested before you get behind
the wheel.
Car
Shopping: Finding deals on wheels
A friend of a friend is selling a used car at a seems-too-good-to-be-true
price. How do you know whether to run away from the deal? Watch
for these problems:
- The air
bags don't work. Air bag fraud is big business, says the Coalition
Against Insurance Fraud. Signs of trouble? The air bag dashboard
indicator doesn't light up when the car starts, stays lit too
long, or starts flashing. Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle.
- It's stolen.
To check, enter the vehicle's VIN number in the free VINCheck
database on the National Insurance
Crime Bureau website. MetLife Auto & HomeŽ is proud to share
its claims information on stolen cars with VINCheck.
- The seller's
name doesn't match the title. Ask to see the seller's driver's
license along with a picture ID to be sure the person is selling
you a car he or she owns. The VIN number in the car's windshield
should also match the title.
The Grass is Always Greener ...
. . . when you raise your lawn mower blade height. According to
WaterUseItWisely.com, taller
grass requires less water because it shades the soil, allowing it
to retain more moisture. With this easy adjustment, you can reduce
sprinkler use, lower water bills, and save water for the firefighters
who need it.
Ditch
the Decals
It sounds like
a good idea: window stickers that direct firefighters to kids' bedrooms
in case of emergency. Take them off, says the Home Safety Council.
They send the wrong message to criminals, who may target this vulnerable
area. Besides, firefighters are trained to conduct thorough searches
for people, no matter what is stuck to the windows.
Safety
in Numbers
Do the pizza
delivery drivers have trouble seeing your house numbers from the
street? If they can't see them, neither can police or ambulance
drivers. Upgrade your sign to one made with reflective materials;
your address will light up when headlights shine on it, whether
it's a fire or a food emergency.
240+
Billion
text messages
were sent in 2007, according to CTIA, a wireless telecommunications
association. Unfortunately, many text messages were typed while
behind the wheel of a car, taking drivers' eyes off the roads. Last
year, Washington became the first state to outlaw DWT (driving while
texting). Because teens are big texting fans, make sure young drivers
in your household don't DWT. Adults also need to take an honest
look at their own behaviors: If you e-mail on a BlackBerry while
driving, you're setting a bad -- and dangerous -- example.
Checkup
Keep your house healthy with regularly scheduled
visits by professionals
| Item |
How
often? |
By
whom? |
Why? |
| Water
heater |
Once
every two years; annually if its warranty is expired |
Plumber |
To check
the anode rod for corrosion, which makes a tank more likely
to leak or burst, says the Institute for Business & Home Safety. |
| Furnace
and central air conditioner |
Once
a year |
HVAC
expert |
Many
homeowners don't realize that their central air operates via
the furnace's blower -- which means your furnace works hard
all year-round. Extend its life with routine maintenance.
|
| Wood-burning
chimneys, fireplaces, and stoves |
Once
a year |
Chimney
sweep |
Buildup
of creosote -- a flammable substance created by burning wood
-- is the culprit in more than 60 percent of chimney fires,
says the National Fire Protection Association. |
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