Help! My Daughter’s Dating a Motorcyclist!

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“Help! My daughter’s dating a motorcyclist!” At least, that’s what my mom said when I brought home my first high-school boyfriend, who happened to own a sweet Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. As a parent, allowing your daughter or son to start dating can be a nerve-wracking experience and when you add the open road to that equation – well, I can only imagine what was going through my mom’s head.
Of course, she never let me ride his motorcycle, which might be the reason I have my own motorcycle today. But if I ever had a daughter, I would have to strongly consider letting her ride on her boyfriend’s motorcycle. I know a lot about motorcycle safety, but does he? I would ask him the following questions before letting her out on the open road:

How long have you been riding your motorcycle?

Riding with a passenger requires significantly more skill than riding solo. Not only is the bike heavier, but the weight is also distributed differently. This means that the bike won’t steer as nimbly or brake as quickly over a short distance. A new motorcycle rider will not yet have the experience to understand these dynamics. Ideally, the motorcycle rider will have at least six months to one year of experience as a solo rider.
Even if he grew up riding dirt bikes, he should also have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) training course and have a motorcycle endorsement on his license. The vast majority of motorcycle accidents involve riders that don’t have a motorcycle endorsement on their license. If he doesn’t have one, that’s a huge red flag.

Do you have insurance?

The answer to this simple question says a lot about the driver’s commitment level. If he’s serious about riding, he will also be responsible enough to have motorcycle insurance. If he’s 21 or older, be sure to ask if he ever drinks and rides. Riding a motorcycle requires complete alertness and at all times. Motorcycles and alcohol—even if it’s just one beer —never mix.

Do you have riding gear?

In addition to always wearing a helmet, both the rider and passenger will want to invest in a gloves and a motorcycle jacket. Motorcycle jackets are designed to protect the rider in the event of a fall. Closed-toe boots are also a must. Never wear shoes with loose laces that could cause a crash by becoming caught in the rear wheel. I would insist that my future daughter wear the special riding gear that she would need to be safe on his bike, including a helmet specifically sized for her head. Never get on a bike without a helmet that fits your head. Helmets that are too large can easily fall off or shift position during an accident, which means they won’t protect your head.
Sure, I don’t have a daughter now, but asking these questions of any potential motorcyclist before hopping on the back of his or her Harley will ensure that you’re making the safest decision either for you, or your kids.

Monday, July, 16th, 2012 at 6:00 am

High-Mileage Cars: Is 200,000 the new normal?

In the 1960s and 1970s, many automobile odometers did not even read beyond 99,999 miles. Hit 100,000, and the odometer turned back to zero. But now, thanks to tougher quality standards and post-recession financial concerns, Americans are driving their cars longer than ever before and high-mileage cars are the rule, not the exception.  Is 200,000 miles the new 100,000 miles?
Consider Porsche salesman Mark Webber. While selling new sports cars every day for a living, Webber still drives his 1990 Volvo to work, despite having more than 300,000 miles on the car. “I just can’t see the point of spending a lot of money driving a newer, racier car every day in city traffic when my old Volvo just wants to keep on going,” Webber told the New York Times.
Webber has plenty of company. While Americans once prided themselves on driving the latest and greatest car, a shift in spending habits following the recession has more Americans than ever before working to extend the life of their cars. A recent survey by the automotive research firm R.L. Polk & Co found that the typical car buyer keeps a new vehicle for 71.4 months, an increase of nearly 18 months since 2006.

This shift corresponds with a change in Americans’ attitudes toward automobiles. Cars, once synonymous with an individual’s identity, are no longer as important to today’s millennial generation.

David Champion, the senior director of Consumer Reports, says that in the past, “[People] would sell the car at 60,000 miles to get some residual value out of it. Nowadays, 100,000 miles is only halfway through the life of the car.” In fact, used car prices are rising as recession-savvy buyers look to keep spending down while getting the biggest bang for their buck.
The life expectancy of cars has steadily increased since the 1970s. A generation ago, many parts simply fell off a car at the end of their life cycle. Cars produced in the 1960s and 1970s were also more susceptible to rust and corrosion, so engines and transmission simply stopped working by 100,000 miles. Now, thanks to greater quality control and technology advancements, today’s automobiles meet strict requirements for anticorrosion standards. Gas mileage for cars is also an important factor — as mileage increases, it’s difficult to justify a new purchase.
And carmakers intend their cars to say on the road for a long time. For example, Hyundai and Kia now include 100,000 miles/10 year powertrain warranties with their cars.
Is your car approaching 100,000 miles and you hope to double that? These three tips will help keep your car on the road well past the 100,000-mile mark.

Drive gently.

Aggressive driving, hard stops and starts, and rapid accelerating or decelerating not only hurt your fuel economy, but these rough driving also adds unnecessary wear and tear to your car. Think about your morning commute: do you race to every stoplight, weaving in and out of traffic? Curbing your need for speed can help keep your car running longer.

Keep it clean.

A good wash will not only help high mileage cars sparkle, but it will also remove excess road tar and salt. This is especially important during winter months when salt residue from wintery roads can cause undercarriage corrosion. Regular waxing protects the paint job and resists rust.

Don’t ignore the check engine light.

Many drivers, myself included, enter a guilty state of denial when our check engine light turns on. Weeks turn into months, and the check engine light is still shining. If you have an older car, it’s essential to get the light checked out right away. It may be indicative of a serious problem with the transmission, timing belt or engine. Prompt attention can save your car from serious damage – and save you the headache and expense of having your car towed to the mechanic.

What’s your number? And how long do you plan to drive your car?

The 4 Survival Skills Every Kid Should Know.....

  

 

Some of outdoor adventurer Bear Grylls’ biggest fans are kids. Their eyes widen at his derring-do, and boys and girls alike admire his survival skills and savvy. But the survival skills that are more likely to keep our kids safe and sound are actually far more mundane! Here are four survival skills that every kid should know, along with a few tips for parents.

What to do if lost

A lost child is a scared child, and usually their first instinct is to begin searching for their family. Train your children to stop and sit as soon as they realize they are lost. Assure them that, no matter how scared they might be, you are searching for them at that very moment; but also that, if they keep moving around, it will take longer to find them. Consider equipping your children with an inexpensive cell phone and when venturing outdoors, a few survival items tucked in a backpack or their pockets. Items such as a whistle, a bright bandana and a bottle of water are the makings of a kids’ survival kit that will go a long way to helping them be found more quickly.

How to answer the door when home alone

Usually the best strategy is to not answer the door! Yes, the person knocking could be a burglar scoping out the neighborhood. But once the door is opened, it’s that much easier for an intruder to enter. And children are easily overpowered. Train your child to enforce home security: Keep doors and windows locked and blinds and curtains closed. Noise from a TV or radio is fine. Someone with questionable motives will think twice about entering a home if they hear noises inside, even if the house is closed up and no one answers the door.

What to do in a medical emergency

From a young age, kids can learn how to dial 911 and report an emergency, but this takes practice. Spend some time rehearsing phone calls, teaching your children to relay detailed information to an operator, follow his or her instructions, and then stay on the line until help arrives. If possible, children should also get the home ready for the arrival of EMTs by putting pets in closed areas and, if it’s nighttime, turning on both indoor and outdoor lights. Summer is an ideal time for children to take first aid and CPR classes, that are typically suitable for kids age 9 and up.

How to maintain situational awareness

When driving in the car, for instance, ask your kids to describe a building or vehicle you just passed. Teach them to pay attention to the route home by asking them to give you driving directions!

This one skill can help your child avoid many dangerous situations. The concept is simply for children to be aware of the people and events around them. Parents can help their children become more observant and aware—not by scaring them, but by playing games to teach and practice this skill.
When driving in the car, for instance, ask your kids to describe a building or vehicle you just passed. Teach them to pay attention to the route home by asking them to give you driving directions! Tell them to close their eyes and describe what someone in the room is wearing. Encourage them to check out the license plates of passing cars: Which states are they from? What is the sum of the numbers on the license plate?
Being aware of their surroundings will help them avoid predatory people and other dangerous scenarios. Simple to teach. Fun to practice. And, quite possibly, a life saver.

Lisa Bedford is the author of Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios and editor of www.thesurvivalmom.com blog.

How To Stay
Cool When Exercising

When just the thought of getting off your hammock to refill your ice tea makes you break a sweat, you know it's hot. Waterproof makeup doesn't stand a chance when the mercury approaches triple digits, with humidity to match. Not only that, but exercising in the heat isn't just sweaty, it's downright unsafe if you don't take precautions.

Summer fitness rule No. 1: Avoid heatstroke

Did you know that exercising in the heat puts stress on your heart and lungs? Exercise, along with high air temperature, raises your body temperature and increases your heart rate. Normally, your body adjusts adequately on its own. But if you're exposed to heat for too long, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even heatstroke can occur. You don't want to spend any of your summertime in the ER, so here are the top six summer fitness tips to stay cool.

Get out early ... or late

Avoid exercising in the middle of the day when the sun is hottest, usually between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., give or take. If you do go outdoors during these times, avoid direct sun and try to find shade — or exercise in a pool.

Wear sunscreen

Sunscreen won't keep you cool, directly, but it will prevent you from burning, which decreases your body's ability to cool itself. And you'll avoid skin cancer. Look for one with a SPF 30 and reapply often.

Drink up

Water, that is. Even if you don't feel thirsty, drink every 15 minutes or so on hot days. If you're sweating profusely, include sports drinks, which contain added electrolytes and minerals.

Dress appropriately

Even if you feel that black biking shirt brings out your best features, skip it in lieu of a white or light-colored top. Black and dark colors absorb heat. Think lightweight or invest in some of the new fabrics that wick away moisture.

Have a back-up plan

Plan to work out indoors on hot days. Find an air-conditioned gym — go early, since many others will likely have the same idea. Walk the mall — briskly and with athletic shoes, not four-inch wedges. Or jump in a pool. But skip the raft with the built-in cup holder until you've done at least a few laps.

Know when you've had enough

When it's hot enough to melt asphalt, skip the wind sprints up Suicide Hill, especially if you have these symptoms: weakness, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, rapid heartbeat or nausea or vomiting. Stop. Get out of the heat. If you're with a group, have someone stay with you. Drink water and wet your skin to cool off. If you don't feel better within 60 minutes, develop a fever higher than 102 degrees, or become faint and confused, seek immediate medical help