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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Monday, October 02, 2006 - 9:37 am
NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON This warning should be listed, on the driver's seat sun-visor - NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY, along with the airbag warning. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry. 1. Hydroplaning occurs when water builds up in front of your tires faster than your car's weight can push it away. That's when the water gets between your tires and the road so that your car feels like it's gliding and possibly OUT-OF-CONTROL. 2. When hydroplaning, RESIST the urge to slam on the brakes! Take your foot off the pedal and let the car slow down. This allows your tires to reconnect to the pavement gradually and keeps you from skidding. If the cruise control is on and your car begins to hydroplane -- when your tires lose contact with the pavement, your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and you take off like an airplane. Your car can actually travel through the air at 10 to 15 miles per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 8:47 am
Another driving hint: The Facts Most deer crossing accidents occur between October and December. Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight and at sunrise. Motorists should dim their headlights when a deer is noted - it may be startled from brights and freeze in the road. Slow down for wildlife, take note of warning signs, and report all collisions to the police. Don't swerve - if a collision seems inevitable, hit the deer and maintain control of the vehicle. Call 911. (The officer will check the status of the deer and put it down if necessary to relieve it of its pain.) Try to come to a stop as far in front of the deer as possible so it can leave the roadside without panic. Source: The Deer Collisions Project BBC.CO.UK
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Ophiliasgrandma
Member
09-04-2001
| Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 2:24 pm
UG, just checked with Snopes and it says the cruise control/rain warning is TRUE. Thanks for sharing that with us. We here in Oregon do have an awful lot of rain.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 6:14 am
Parking on a hill: When you park: On a sloping driveway, turn the wheels so the car will not roll into the street if the brakes fail. Headed downhill, turn your front wheels into the curb or toward the side of the road. Set the parking brake. Headed uphill, turn your front wheels away from the curb and let your vehicle roll back a few inches. The back of the front wheel should gently touch the curb. Set the parking brake. Headed either uphill or downhill and there is no curb, turn the wheels so the car will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail. Always set your parking brake and leave the vehicle in gear or the park position. If you follow these instructions your toddler won't end up in traffic when he/she decides to pretend to drive your car.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 6:17 am
OG, thanks for checking on my facts. I encourage any of you to correct me if I'm wrong.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 8:11 am
Skids. Skidding is caused by the driver braking, accelerating or steering too harshly or driving too fast for the road conditions. If skidding occurs, ease off the brake or accelerator and try to steer smoothly in the direction of the skid. For example, if the rear of the vehicle skids to the right, steer quickly and smoothly to the right to recover.
  Rear of car skidsDriver steers to the rightto the right -> ABS. The presence of an anti-lock braking system should not cause you to alter the way you brake from that indicated above. However in the case of an emergency, apply the footbrake rapidly and firmly; do not release the pressure until the vehicle has slowed to the desired speed. The ABS should ensure that steering control will be retained.
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 9:52 am
Upon looking at the pictures of the car above, I'd say that driver's main problem is his front tires are on top of his car's hood! 
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Eeyoreslament
Member
07-20-2003
| Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 10:31 am
LOLOLOLOL!!!!
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Scooterrific
Member
07-08-2005
| Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 10:44 am
Who...ROTFLMAO
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 11:07 am
Good one, Who!
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 7:32 am
At least you noticed the tires, Who!
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 7:44 am
Winter warm-up: save heating costs by getting your house ready now Article By: Cynthia Ross Cravit Avoid a winter of discontent caused by high heating costs. Performing a few maintenance chores this fall may pay dividends when the weather turns cold. Experts say that when it comes to saving on home heating costs, it pays to sweat the small stuff. Now, for example, is a good time to schedule a furnace checkup to make sure it is working efficiently, rather than waiting until the furnace kicks in for the first time. And check to see if the air filter is clean. Experts advise changing normal furnace filters every month and high-efficiency ones every three months. While the weather is still mild, it is easier to tackle home weatherization projects. Check weather stripping and caulk around doors and windows to keep out the winter chill. And for some homeowners, heat is literally going through the roof. Make sure your attic is properly insulated to help keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It's also a good idea to check insulation in the basement and in household air ducts, exterior walls, crawl spaces and around electrical outlets. Each year the chimney also should be inspected for creosote buildup, which could be a source of fire. And now is also a good time to check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to see that they are working properly. If you are in need of a new furnace, enquire about the high-efficiency models that will save you money in the long run by burning less fuel. You may also wish to consider replacing old windows with more efficiently designed models. Steps to meet winter head on Here are some other ways to save on home energy costs this winter: Check to see that doors shut and latch properly. Check your window locks. Locking windows can help to prevent cold air from seeping through. Put up storm windows and hang heavy drapes over drafty windows. Replace mail slots with external mailboxes. Schedule a furnace tune-up at least once a year. Experts say you can save as much as five per cent on heating costs by scheduling a service appointment for your furnace before the cold weather arrives. This helps to ensure your furnace operates at its peak efficiency throughout the winter. Manage your thermostat. You can save about 10 per cent on heating bills by turning the thermostat down 10 degrees for eight hours a day, experts say. If you are away from your home for an extended time, however, dont turn off the heat. This can lead to frozen pipes and costly repairs. If possible, lower the thermostat to 13 degrees C at night and when you are away. Check the clothes dryer vent at the outside wall for a draft. Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. Keeping it open is like keeping a 48-inch window wide open during the winter, according to experts. Turn the water heater's thermostat down to the low setting to save energy. For some models an insulated jacket that slides over the water heater also can help hold the heat in. Remove hoses from outside faucets, drain them and store them away for the winter. * Or go south or out of the country to a tropical place like Juju and Bigdog do every winter. For more information, go to: http://www.petro-canada.ca/eng/prodserv/fuels/10531.htm
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 10:43 am
Great tips, Urgrace! The only thing that needs to be added is about turning the thermostat down 10 degrees. If you have hot water baseboard heat (like I do), you are advised to never turn it down more than 4 or 5 degrees. The BTU's it takes to reheat the water for circulation is greater than leaving it near *peak* temperatures. This was told to me by the guy who just installed my new furnace, and was also in the instruction manual. Just thought it might be important and unknown news to anyone with hot water baseboard heating.
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Callasin
Member
06-21-2005
| Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 10:59 am
Thanks Hukd I never realized that about our hot water baseboard heat.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 11:51 am
Great tip on the baseboard heat, Huk! Thanks for adding it.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 11:53 am
More tips about water faucets and plumbing: * If you expect the temperature to drop below the freezing point, follow these winter safety tips to prevent weather-related damage to your home: >Locate and mark your main water shut-off valve with paint or a visible tag. Test the valve in advance. >Turn off outside water lines and open the outside spigots to drain standing water from the pipes. >To prevent water pipes from freezing, wrap outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated areas with an insulating material. >Wrap electric heat tape around any pipes that have previously frozen. >Find a trusted plumber and electrician; keep their names and phone numbers handy. Special winter safety tips for severe cold: >Keep a trickle of water running from the indoor faucet farthest away from your main water pipe (where water enters the house). This will help to keep any indoor pipes from freezing. >If your home is unheated for an extended period, drain the water pipes and turn off the main water shut-off valve and the water heater. >If a water pipe freezes, wrap it with cloth and pour hot water over the cloth until the pipe thaws and water starts flowing again. Once the water is running again, remove the cloth strips and wrap the pipe with dry insulation. >If a water pipe breaks, close the main water shut-off valve and call a plumber. If the pipe is easy to reach, you can use a pipe repair kit purchased from a hardware store.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 2:25 pm
what are hot water baseboards??
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 3:39 pm
Texannie, check THIS out.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 4:03 pm
They look like this, Tex:
We had them installed in our house in the 1960's. It's an even heat distribution and very clean. It was great as a kid being able to put our frozen toes underneath them after playing outside in the snow all day!
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 7:29 am
P A S S Rules of Using a Fire Extinguisher Pull - Aim - Squeeze - Sweep Pull the pin. This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher. Aim at the base of the fire. If you aim at the flames (which is frequently the temptation), the extinguishing agent will fly right through and do no good. You want to hit the fuel. Squeeze the top handle or lever. This depresses a button that releases the pressurized extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. Sweep from side to side until the fire is completely out. Start using the extinguisher from a safe distance away, then move forward. Once the fire is out, keep an eye on the area in case it re-ignites. 
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Skootz
Member
07-23-2003
| Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 7:38 am
Great thread Urgrace, I really enjoy reading these tips.

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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 8:18 am
Thanks Skootz. I know you can appreciate the last tip! Hope you are feeling better, too.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 8:37 am
guess you have to live in colder climates to need those! LOL
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 8:41 am
Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street. Wear sensible shoes.
Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms.
Cross the street only at corners.
Don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.
Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)
Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
Carry a flashlight to light your way. Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flamable.)
Visit homes that have the porch light on.
Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.
Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.

Be cautious of animals and strangers.
Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.
 
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Karen
Member
09-07-2004
| Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 2:29 pm
A general tip about fat going down your kitchen drain... Most people think, when cleaning a pan with residual melted fat, that using hot water will keep the fat liquid while it's rinsing down the drain, and thus prevent clogs. But really, this only causes the fat to stay liquid and ends up creating a thick buildup around the inside of the pipe as it solidifies inside the pipe. If you use cold water when rinsing the fat down the drain, the fat solidifies instantly and gets pushed through the drain as solid pieces, eliminating a lot of the fat that can cause clogs.
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