MetLife Your Life Logo

In the Swing ... Safely
Yes, relax in your hammock, but use these tips to stay safe.

Pit Stops
Don't let changing fuel prices put you in danger on the road.

Step on It
Take some footwork advice before driving.

Green Security
Save some green while protecting your home.

In the Swing ... Safely

Stretching out in a hammock is one of the joys of a sunny day. But as relaxing as they can be, the low-slung backyard loungers require a certain amount of caution. This is especially true when kids are around, because they find hammocks every bit as enticing as adults ... maybe more so. Never let young children use a hammock unattended. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests consumers read and heed the safety information provided by manufacturers. It also pays to follow these guidelines for a safe and enjoyable experience:

• Inspect wooden frames of hammocks for wear and tear or loose bolts. Wood may deteriorate over time, causing the hammock to collapse.
• Look for frayed fabric or torn ropes. These can give way or even twist around a child's neck.
• Adjust the hammock to the appropriate height. It should be at a level suitable for the person using it at any given time. Tie-down straps can be used to prevent a hammock from tipping over during use.
• Check for recalls. The CPSC has recalled some hammocks that it says pose a risk to users. You can identify these recalled products at cpsc.gov. You can also sign up online to get direct email notification of new product recalls. Be sure, too, to return the manufacturer's product registration card.

Pit Stops

Did fluctuating fuel prices make you wait longer between gas station visits? That's an understandable action, but it's a potentially unsafe one too.

According to reports from across the country, high gas prices led to increases in calls for assistance from stranded motorists. Wishing to postpone the next expensive fill-up, drivers pushed their luck and ran out of gas. This situation, particularly if it happens at night, can be dangerous for you and your passengers.

Whatever the price per gallon, a good rule of the road is to look for refueling opportunities when the gas gauge hits the quarter-full mark. Also, driving on an empty or near-empty tank can overheat your fuel pump. A few gallons of gas are cheaper than a pricey repair bill.

When you do stop for fuel, observe these National Fire Protection Association cautions:

• Don't overfill. It could cause a dangerous spill.
• Turn off your vehicle -- a faulty electrical system could spark a fire if there's a spill.
• Stay out of the vehicle until refueling is complete. Entering and leaving your vehicle can cause static sparks.
• Never fill a portable container when it is in or on a vehicle -- it may carry a static charge.
• Never allow a child to pump gas.

Step On It

One of the odder pieces of advice drivers have received to improve fuel efficiency is to drive barefoot. Some drivers think bare feet make them more sensitive to their vehicles' acceleration and braking. Others think barefoot driving is unsafe.

If you're unaccustomed to driving barefoot, you're probably better off wearing shoes. Otherwise barefoot driving is largely a matter of preference. Extra care should be taken when driving in some forms of footwear:

• Flip-flops or sandals can slip off your feet or catch on pedals
• High-heeled shoes can catch on pedals
• Slick-soled shoes can slip off pedals
• Thick-soled or platform shoes can impede pedal feel
• Shoes with wide soles can depress more than one pedal at a time.

In general, light shoes with a relatively low cut (for good ankle mobility); flat heels (for proper foot positioning); and thin, anti-skid soles (for good pedal feel and grip) make appropriate driving shoes. Deck shoes and many walking shoes fall into this category. Whatever you're wearing, make sure the soles are dry before you drive.

Green Security

Here's a way to protect your home and help the planet: solar-powered motion-detecting flood lamps. Powered by the sun with energy stored in a rechargeable battery, these environmentally friendly lights come on when they detect motion after dark. They're easy to install. You can locate them just about anywhere there's sunshine, and the fixtures don't require wiring.

The battery typically stores enough power to operate the lights even during extended stretches of cloudy weather.

Units cost about $100 or less. For more information search online for "solar-powered motion detector."