Aug 11, 2019 | Accident prevention, Car Accidents
If there’s one thing any driver hates, it’s car problems. Car issues can lead to potential breakdowns, and some seriously costly repairs. However, performing some good car maintenance can really help keep your car in good shape. Doing so will help save you headaches and cost in the future…
Car Maintenance: Keep Your Car Going
Check your tires
It’s very easy to take your tires for granted. However, it turns out that 738 accident-related deaths were caused by poor tires in 2017 alone. Therefore, it’s important not to neglect your tires. Instead, you want to regularly check them for issues as part of your car maintenance, both the obvious and the harder-to-spot kinds.
First, check for anything like screws, nails, or tears which weaken your tires and lead to leaks. It also helps to check your tire pressure once a month, and get it up to its proper level if needed. Tire rotations also help improve your tread life, and should be done every 6,000-8,000 miles.
Inspect the oil & other fluids
Drivers also tend to gloss over their car’s fluids, but they’re a key part of proper car maintenance. Your oil, for instance, is crucial for keeping your engine running right. Therefore, it helps to check it every month or so to see if it’s time for a change.
However, your car has other fluids besides oil. Remember, you have power-steering, automatic transmission, wiper, and break fluids as well. Try to give these fluids a look each time you check your oil.
Other components
There’s a lot of different components that go into your car that you’d want to look over as part of your car maintenance. For instance, your lights are very important for safely driving, so check them out to see if they still work and aren’t burnt-out or cracked. Don’t forget about checking your windshield wipers too.
Of course, you’ll want to check the internal core parts too. While you don’t have to do anything crazy, simply keeping your battery free of corrosion and cleaning your radiator can go a long way. For those harder-to-reach areas, it helps to bring your car to an auto shop and have them check things out for you.
Aug 8, 2019 | Accident prevention, Truck Driving
A truck driver has a number of important responsibilities they must take on. One of those includes watching their weight limits. Not only do overloads hurt a company’s reputation, but it also can bring on hefty overweight fines. However, there are some steps you can take to make sure you avoid these fines…
Overweight Fines: Ways To Avoid Them
Double-check your load
One way you can avoid overweight fines is by double-checking your loads. Remember that truck scales check more than just if your truck and trailer are over their acceptable weight limit. They also check how that weight is distributed. If a weight station finds that your truck isn’t carrying the weight properly, you can still be hit with an overweight fine.
Therefore, it’s important to double-check what you’re carrying if you can. Make sure that the load you’re carrying is secure and well-balanced too. If you need to, use things like ties or other restraints to ensure your load is secure and balanced enough to meet the weight requirements.
Consider your fuel
At first, you might not think that fuel adds that much weight to your truck. However, having a full tank can add a considerable amount to your weight. That weight could be enough to put you over the weight limits, and result in overweight fines.
Therefore, you’ll want to do your best to balance out your fuel levels across your trip. It might be more beneficial in the long run to make more stops for fuel than load up during one stop. That way, you can avoid an overweight fine due to having too much fuel. Plus, these stops will give you a chance to stretch and rest during your trip.
Plan out your route
Planning out a good route can really help you avoid overweight fines. A good, efficient route can help you save both time and money. While there are many things you’ll want to plan your route around, some of the important ones are truck scales, truck stops, and gas stations.
Some people might try and plan their routes around permanent weight stations. However, many officials carry portable scales with them as well. Therefore, it’s best to make sure you meet the weight requirements at all times just in case.
Jul 25, 2019 | Accident prevention, Work
While the summer months definitely bring the heat, they also bring allergens. Many people see their allergies flare up during these months, and they can carry over into the workplace. Workplace allergies can seriously get in the way of your work, just like any work injury. However, there are ways for you to manage and overcome them…
Workplace Allergies: Ways To Manage
Recognize your allergies
In order to manage your workplace allergies, you first need to be aware of what your allergens are. Most people tend to get allergy tests as kids to see what they may or may not be allergic too. However, over time, new allergies could develop, or you could grow out of old ones. Therefore, it doesn’t hurt to get checked again as you get older.
It’s also important to know how severe your allergies are. For example, some allergies might just be annoying, like pollen allergies. However, others may be life-threatening, like food-based allergies. Knowing how severe your allergies are can help you take the appropriate steps to keep yourself safe.
Your allergies & your work
Once you recognize what your workplace allergies are, then it’s time to see how they may show up in your work. This depends on both the kind of work you do, and what your allergies are. For instance, a pollen allergy might impact you more if you work outside instead of inside.
However, some allergies might get in the way no matter where you work. The most apparent kind might be food-based ones. You could run into co-workers who have food you’re allergic to. Or, your work might offer foods that you don’t know the ingredients for, putting you at risk.
Managing your allergies
As it turns out, managing your workplace allergies doesn’t have to be all that complicated. The first thing you’ll want to do it take steps to limit your exposure. Of course, this goes beyond you just staying away from your allergens. It helps to let your co-workers and boss know about them too. That way, they can help make the workplace safer and more comfortable for you.
Still, some allergens might be out of their control. In these cases, it helps to take some extra precautions. You may want to wear some extra protective equipment when working, especially if you’ll constantly be around an allergen. Plus, you can see if allergy medicines can help minimize the symptoms.
Jul 12, 2019 | Accident prevention, Work Injuries
Cuts are some of the most common injuries in the workplace. Now, you might not think a simple cut is all that bad. However, depending on the location and depth, cuts can cause some serious damage. Not to mention, potential infection. As a result, it’s important to practice proper cut prevention techniques. That way, you can remain safe while on the job…
Cut Prevention: Avoiding Workplace Injuries
Good tool safety
Cuts are most commonly caused by sharp tools, objects, or blades. For example, you could be working with a pair of scissors, knives, a saw, sheet metal… There are plenty of hazards in every workplace that has the potential to cause injury. Therefore, it’s important to observe the workplace, acknowledge hazards, and practice proper tool safety in order to achieve injury and cut prevention.
Always try to be careful when handling any sharp tools. For example, make sure to keep them away from your body when using them. You’ll also want to keep them properly put up whenever you’re not using them. Make sure to use good quality tools as well. Your chances of injury go up when you use broken or dull tools instead of safer, sharper ones.
Take your time
People tend to make more mistakes when they rush through things. For instance, you probably know that if you try to rush through your work, it won’t be as good as when you take your time. This same principle applies when using sharp objects. As a result, patience is key when practicing cut prevention techniques.
Try to take things slow when you’re using sharp objects. Rushing could increase the chances of you accidentally cutting your fingers or hands. Also, follow any special instructions that are related to what you’re doing. Trying to do your own thing, even for something you might see as “simple”, could prove to be dangerous.
Use safety gear
Proper safety gear goes a long way for proper cut prevention. This kind of gear is very useful for preventing cuts and other potential injuries. However, it’s important to make sure you pick the right gear for the job.
For example, good cutting gear can include goggles, cut-resistant gloves, and long-sleeved shirts. Goggles will help protect your eyes from the sharp tools in the event that they slip or break. The gloves will, of course, help keep your hands cut-free. Long-sleeves also cover your arms, keeping them shielded from the sharp tools.
Jul 3, 2019 | Accident prevention, Driving
As a driver, there’s going to be a point when you’ll have to get new tires. Whether it’s because you got a flat, or because they’re too old, you’ll want to make sure you get the best ones for your car. Therefore, it’s important to know what to look for when shopping for tires…
New Tires: What To Look For
Weather capabilities
It’s important to know how your new tires will fare in your local environment. There are a few different types out there depending on the weather. For instance, if you experience a lot of snow and ice, consider getting a winter set with better grip. If you get a lot of rain, higher performance tires that can handle the wet and dry roads might be good.
However, the weather can always change. In fact, maybe you live somewhere without a constant climate. In these situations, it might be a good call to get some good all-season tires. That way, you won’t have to change them for each season.
Gas mileage
New tires can be a great way to boost your gas mileage. Some sets can even be specially designed for this purpose. For example, some may have thinner sidewalls and shallow treads. This helps reduce weight and resistance, meaning better gas mileage for your car.
However, you don’t have to buy special tires to improve your gas mileage. Just keeping them well maintained can also give you a big boost. One of the biggest culprits is pressure and inflation. According to the Department of Energy, keeping your tires properly inflated can result in big gains in your gas mileage.
Personal preference
Your own personal preference is also important when getting new tires. Some people prefer to have the smoothest ride possible. In these cases, they may want smaller tires with larger sidewalls. However, others may prefer performance above all. They may enjoy the higher-performance models instead.
There’s also your own familiarity to consider. New tire sets can be pretty pricey. If your last set worked perfectly, there is no reason for you to shake things up. Simply replace the old with the new.
May 31, 2019 | Accident prevention, Traffic Ticket
Sharing the road can be increasingly frustrating when the drivers around you aren’t driving like they should. Maybe they’re swerving, tailgating, or driving fifteen under the speed limit. For whatever reason, you’re experiencing road rage. There are plenty of road rage causes that are common amongst drivers. While you want to be able to stay calm, cool, and collected behind the wheel— that’s not always a small task.
Road Rage Causes: What’s Making Me Angry?
The Last Parking Space
One of the most common road rage causes comes from fighting over parking spaces. Whether you’re shopping at the mall, or making your way through the parking deck, spots can be hard to come by in busy areas. Therefore, when there’s only a few spots, some people will be willing to fight for it— literally. So, try to avoid these parking lot confrontations before they turn into a brawl, or a passive aggressive honking match.
Furthermore, if someone was at the spot before you, let them have it. Parking can be stressful. Try and make it easier by finding lesser known parking areas, leaving earlier, or generally just finding your calm when you know that it’s going to be difficult. There are plenty of road rage causes, so let’s look for solutions along the way.
The Infamous Cut Off
Being cut off is one of the more common, and frustrating, road rage causes. Nothing can be quite as irritating as someone jumping in front of you without a real purpose. Not only is it upsetting, but it’s dangerous as well. In most cases, you may need to slam on the brakes or swerve to avoid hitting them. In this instant, you might begin to throw your hands up, yell obscenities, or try and retaliate in some form or fashion. We’re here to say: don’t. It’s not uncommon for you to lose focus, or driving abilities, when you’re trying to make a point. While what the driver did is infuriating, what’s even worse is getting into an accident afterwards.
The Box Out
Not allowing someone to pass will most likely cause anger. In some cases, the driver may need to move over to make a turn or get to an exit. Or, in other situations, maybe the driver’s around them just aren’t fully observing the speed limit, or road rules. Therefore, the boxed in driver might be looking for a way out. We all know that this is frustrating, and absolutely one of those road rage causes we’ve been talking about. So, make sure you’re not doing this to others. Pay attention to drivers around you, make sense of what they’re trying to do, and allow them to pass when safety allows.
The Excessive Honk
Honking too often, or for too long, is also one of those common road rage causes. We’ve all been there– the driver up ahead isn’t paying attention to the light or they cut you off. You blow your horn once but then lay on it again to really send the message. While this might make you feel better, it can cause them to become angry and retaliate in some way. So, try to use your horn for defensive driving only. Use it when you need to make a driver aware of you. But do so sparingly to avoid unnecessary confrontation.
