Author: David Maillie
Winter driving can be hazardous and stressful. Wind, snow, ice and blizzard conditions increase the normal dangers of driving. There is a lot you can do before the winter driving season and during a storm to protect yourself and your family.

Before winter arrives, have your car inspected to be sure it is ready for the road conditions. You can do this yourself or take it to a qualified mechanic. Check the battery, wipers and fluid, thermostat, brakes, ignition system, antifreeze, exhaust system, lights, oil level, heater and defrosters. Make sure everything is in good working order to keep you safe throughout the cold weather.

Check your tires to be sure they are road ready. Install tires that are appropriate for the driving conditions. In moderate amounts of snow, all weather radials will do the job nicely. If you live in a climate where you experience a lot of snow, consider snow tires. These have better tread to deal with snow and ice.

Prepare an emergency kit to keep in the back of your car. This will ensure that you are prepared in the event that you get stuck in the snow. Things to include in the kit:

Ice scraper

Small broom

Small shovel

Kitty litter or a bag of sand (to give traction if you get stuck in snow or ice)

Blankets or a sleeping bag

Flashlight with batteries

Flares or warning triangles

Plastic bags

First aid kit

Tool kit

Jumper cables

Bright cloth to use as a flag

Help sign for back window

Extra hat and gloves

Food and water to sustain you if you get stuck

A book, Bible or Prayer Cards to keep you busy and calm in the event you get stuck.

Charged cell phone (always carry this, especially in the winter)

Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. This adds weight to the car and will ensure that you won’t run out of gas in the event you get stuck.

Driving in the Snow

Pay attention to the weather forecasts and road conditions in the winter months. If the weather is bad, stay home if at all possible. If you must venture out, travel in the daylight. You are more likely to find help if you get stuck during the day. Never warm up your vehicle in the garage. This releases carbon monoxide, which is toxic and can kill you.

When driving, always wear your seatbelt. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun reflecting off the snow. Know your car and how it handles in the snow. Features like traction control and antilock brakes can be useful in bad weather conditions. Know how these work and if your car is new, practice driving it in a snow covered parking lot before venturing out on the road.

Take it slow, especially in icy conditions. Don’t tailgate and be sure to allow a safe distance between vehicles. Do everything slowly, stopping, accelerating and turning. Leave plenty of time and space to maneuver. Sliding and skidding usually happen when turning, stopping or accelerating. Going extra slow will ensure your safety.

If the visibility is low, slow down even more. Consider getting off highways and driving even slower. This will take you out of the path of large trucks that can cause accidents. Use only your low beams, as your high beams will reflect back off the snow and won’t increase your visibility. Turn on your hazard lights to be sure other drivers see you.

In the event your car gets stuck, don’t get out. Put up the hood and tie your cloth to the antennae. This will make you more visible to emergency vehicles and other drivers. Keep the windows, air grill and tail pipe clear of snow. Wrap up in blankets and huddle up with passengers to stay warm. Run the heat for fifteen minutes each hour to keep from freezing. Move your body around to stay warm.

Keeping your car clean throughout the winter is important. Salt on the roads is important for safety, but will wreak havoc on the finish. If left on for long periods, it can cause rusting. Wash your vehicle weekly to remove salt and wax to protect the paint. Salt also leaves a coating on your headlights that can impair their operation. This will make you less visible to other vehicles. Headlight cleaner and restorer will return the lights to like new condition.

Author: Stephen Betzen
Wind chimes have come a long way since their banging, clanging days of old. Today’s precision-tuned wind chimes produce a melody as inviting, sweet, and clear as the song sung by pristine waters cascading down a mountain side on a hot summer’s day. That didn’t happen by accident. More than an enhancement to home décor and garden yard décor, a quality wind chime is crafted using a scientific approach to achieve the best sound possible.

The lengths and placements of tubular pipes might look as though they were put together haphazardly. In reality, their placement is dependant upon where each pipe will vibrate most when struck by the clapper.

Areas of the pipe called “anti-nodes” resonate with a clearer, truer sound. These special points are found at each end of the pipe, as well as in the center. String placement is also important. Holes for the string are drilled where the pipe vibrates least. This is known as the “node of vibration.”

That eye-catching wind chime hung from a tree limb to complete garden yard décor and landscape design is more than just lovely. It is a high precision instrument that joyously plays nature’s song. It is conduit to feng shui philosophy, based on the invisible yet tangible presence of universal energy flowing throughout our environment.

Wind chimes sound best when tuned to the pentatonic scale, the same used as the black keys on a piano. This type scale is best for generating pleasing but random notes – like those generated by the wind. Type of material used is also important. Some materials provide a clearer sound than others. For decorative purposes, the pipes on some wind chimes are made to look like copper. Some clappers are made from metal, some from wood, or another material to produce variations of sound, different from one another.

Besides making harmonious sounds generated by the force of air current, the wood and metal used in the production of wind chimes further enhances their connection to the feng shui philosophy and the importance of elements.

A wind chime is among the most perfect gifts for Mother’s Day. They also make meaningful anniversary gifts, and great personalized housewarming gifts. That is because they not only enhance home decorating and add interest to garden yard décor. They also are symbolic of harmony and peace…important elements of any relationship.

A quality set of tuned wind chimes can be found in lawn and garden stores, department stores, and some specialty shops. For your best selection and competitive pricing, however, purchase wind chimes on line.

Wind chimes…a unique and lovely way to set the tone for peace and harmony, while adding beauty and charm to your home or yard.

Author: Manuel Salvacion

Driving under extreme weather conditions poses danger. According to the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, 7,400 people are killed and 690,000 people are injured in weather-related vehicle accidents each year.

When driving in icy and snowy weather, drivers must remember these things:

• Good visibility – For all-round visibility, maker sure that windows are clean. Scrape off all ice and snow but never use hot water. Also, make sure that all the mirrors are clear and the defroster has cleared the insides of the windows.

• Driving on snow or ice is dangerous so be cautious. Be on the lookout for black ice on corners, bends and roundabouts. Black ice forms when running water or standing water freezes on the road. Black ice does not automatically disappear even when sunrays warm the surroundings.

• Low winter sunshine reflecting off snow can be blinding, so keep a pair of anti-glare glasses in the car.

Reduced visibility and slippery roads make winter driving hazardous. Good observation of road conditions must be taken to ensure your safety while driving in snow.

To avoid accidents when driving during winter, here are driving tips you can follow:

• Monitor weather reports
• Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s winter weather operating characteristics. Front-wheel drive vehicles have better traction on slippery roads.
• Clear windows of snow and ice, including head, tail and brake lights
• Turn on your wipers and headlights when driving.
• Take caution when crossing bridges which become slick during winter
• Fill your gas tank at least half full before a long parking to prevent fuel freeze.
• Leave ample distance between you and the vehicle in front of you as brakes
• Check your vehicle’s anti-lock braking system
• Give information to those at your destination
• Heat your key, if your vehicle locks freeze.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth on the driver-side of your vehicle.
• Keep another cellular phone as a reserve communication.
• Clear the exhaust pipe of snow.
• Run your engine for ten minutes every hour.
• Use flare to let people know you are stranded in your vehicle.
• Use mats, seat covers, and blankets for added warmth inside the vehicle.
• Keep bottled water in the vehicle.
• If you are stranded, remain calm and wait for rescue.

You can also try to make adaptations to your vehicle to make it easy to handle and drive during winter or in snow-covered roads. A vehicle tune-up will help you save wear and tear of your batteries. You can also try buying snow tires and chains for your tires. As an added measure, always keep a safety and emergency kit in your vehicle.

Here are some tips on how to take care of your vehicle during winter:

• Check the coolant level of your radiator and its hoses and belts.
• Consult the manual to see if a lighter grade of motor oil is recommended for winter driving.
• Check headlights, taillights, and turn signals.
• Make sure each tire’s treads are one-sixteenth inch deep for good traction.
• Make sure the brakes are in good working condition.
• Keep a bottle of window washer fluid.
• Clear the exhaust pipe of snow.

Driving under extreme weather conditions often require more than good driving skills. To ensure safety while driving under the snow or icy conditions, it makes more sense to consider the situation before going out.