der Bayerische March/April 2021 - 17

The Ultimate Checklist
Keeping You and Your Car Safe During Summer

By Angela Hughes | Photos by Jack Raymond
7. Switch your tires
Certain tires are designed to perform
well under specific conditions. That's
why we have summer tires, winter
tires, off-road tires, etc. Consider
using summer tires for the warmer
months and all-season (or winter)
tires for the colder months. This
makes for better driveability and will
keep you safer on the road.

ummer can be a good time to
go on a trip. However, just
because it's the season of fun
doesn't mean that you should skimp
on safety. Here are some tips to help
keep you safe on the road during this
summer.
1. Have a roadside kit ready
You never know when you're going to
have a breakdown in the middle of
nowhere. Even the most well-maintained car is bound to have one.
Make sure you are prepared by
having a roadside kit in your trunk.
This should have a first aid kit, a
flashlight, jumper cables, an extra
cellphone and charger, flares, a tire
pressure gauge, a jack, food, drinking water, medicine, and a map.
2. Double check your emergency contacts
You don't want to have to fiddle through the internet for the contact numbers
of important people that you should call if something happens. Be prepared
for an accident, even though it's the last thing you want to happen.
This means you should have the local ambulance, police, and a lawyer's
phone numbers on speed dial.
3. Plan your long trips
If you're going on a long-distance trip, you want to plan ahead of time.
Check out the routes going there as well as traffic, weather, and road
conditions. That way, you know what you are dealing with and can prepare
accordingly.

4. Park in the shade
Nothing is worse than going inside a very hot car. The inside of your car
can become hot quickly, so to avoid this, you'll want to park some place
where there is shade. When you do get in the car, open the door and
windows for a few minutes to allow the warm air to vent. Then, turn your air
conditioner on once it's a bit cooler.
5. Check your AC condition
Speaking of heat, you should check to make sure your air conditioning is
working especially before a long trip. It's bad enough that you're dealing
with heat, you don't want to drive in a car that's hot. This can affect you and
passengers who are sensitive to heat.
6. Check your fluids
Keep your fluids topped up especially during the summer when it can get
extremely hot. If you are stopped in traffic for long periods of time, you can
turn off the engine. This will save you fuel in the long run.

March I April

8. Protect the kids
Never leave a child unattended inside
a car. As mentioned above, a car can
quickly overheat inside and kids are
one of the groups of people that are
sensitive to heat. When leaving your
car, make sure to lock it and keep the
keys out of reach. You don't want children playing in the car unattended or
worse, get trapped inside.
9. Avoid sun glare
The sun can get blindingly bright during the summer, making driving a challenge. Wear sunglasses when driving and make sure that your windshield
washers are in tip-top shape. This will help you maintain a clean windshield
that will allow you to have a clear view of the road at all times.
10. Stay hydrated
It's easy to get dehydrated during the summer weather. You might not even
notice it until you have a heat stroke. To avoid that, you should always stay
hydrated. Bring a jug of water with you anywhere you go, especially during
long trips. If you have other passengers with you, have some water
available for them too. The best containers for water are the insulated kind
since they can keep water cool for a long time.

(Top) An ounce of
prevention is worth a
pound of roadside
cure. (Right) A roadside emergency kit is
a must. Better to have
it and not need it than
to need it and not
have it.
Angela Hughes is a staff member at Anapol Weiss, a personal injury law firm
with offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Arizona. Their phone number
is (866)670-4704.

https://www.anapolweiss.com/

der Bayerische March/April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of der Bayerische March/April 2021