If you’re choosing to celebrate the holiday with fireworks, it’s important to think safety first. Better yet, why not just relax, kickback and let the experts do it! Head to a local fireworks show in your town - I’m sure they’ll put on a great show!!

If you’re still set on playing with fire, here are some safety tips from fire chiefs across the country, the National Council on Fireworks Safety and the Home Safety Council:

• Even the littlest fireworks are dangerous. Sparklers can reach 2000°F!
• Practice good caution and supervision. Fireworks are not toys. According to a study conducted at emergency rooms over a 22-year period, 67 percent of sparkler-related injuries were among children 5 years or younger. The average age of all the patients was 8 1/2 years old.
• In many states, you must be of a certain age to purchase fireworks. These restrictions have been set and chosen for a reason! Remind kids that fireworks are dangerous and only professionally-trained adults should handle them.
• Make sure your fireworks are legal. Just because they’re legal in one state, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re legal elsewhere. Click here to learn about the fireworks laws in your state.(Here in MN, I’ve heard many stories of people driving across the border to Wisconsin in order to buy larger and MN-illegal fireworks!)
• Don’t try to make your own fireworks.
• Obey the noise and local ordinances in your town. Neighbors might call in a complaint if the fireworks are used after-hours.
• Remember to clean up afterwards! Place used sparklers in a bucket of water and pick up all scraps, packaging, matches and other trash.

Also, the National Council on Fireworks Safety has a great safety video on how to properly choose and use fireworks safely.

I’ll be back July 5th with the latest news and stories. Have a great and safe holiday!

Trying to beat the gas prices by biking to work? Or perhaps you’re just doing it to “go green.” Either way, you’ll need to practice good bike maintenance and know the rules of the road.

We’ve pulled some of our best tips from cyclists and bike mechanics for you:

1. Have your bike checked out regularly. Tune-ups should be every six months or so, depending on how often you ride. Why get a bike tune-up? After many rides, the bike’s cables and chains tend to stretch out, lose their effectiveness and cause shifting problems.

2. Replace your chain every 1,000-1,500 miles. Start tracking your mileage in a notebook - write down the date and number of miles you bike each day.

3. Before each ride, grab an extra water bottle and a plastic bag. Put the following inside the plastic bag.

• Cell phone or change for a phone call.
• Photo ID
  
• Emergency Information Sheet (name, address, allergies/conditions)
• Emergency medicines

Then seal the bag, place it inside the water bottle and bring it with you on your ride. (Install an extra water bottle holder for this or attach it to your bike with a bungee cord.)

4. If you listen to music while biking, be sure to have at least one ear free to listen for the sounds of the road.

5. If you need to use your cellphone, use an earpiece to keep your hands free.

6. Know the rules of the road (hand signals, ride with the traffic, not against it, etc.) and follow them.

7. More tips from those the know…

There’s been a lot of discussion about the quality of Chinese-made tires this week. One company’s tires, Foreign Tire Sales, are under question. Foreign Tire Sales is being sued by the families of two men who died in a car accident last year, according to USA Today.

Here’s a FTS brand and size list from USA Today. If your tires are listed here, consider replacing them immediately:

Brand

• Compass
• Telluride
• Westlake
• YTS

Size

• LT235/75R-15
• LT235/85R-16
• LT225/75R-16
• LT245/75R-16
• LT265/75R-16
• LT3X10.5-15

Worried about the quality and safety of your tires? Check and rotate your tires regularly. Remember to check your tire pressure each month and look for any signs of wear and tear. Also, take your car in for regular scheduled maintenance.

Last week, my boyfriend lent me his car since he was going out of town for the week. I was so excited to have a quick break from the hassle of public transportation. It was great to have a quick way to get to work, blast music through the speakers and feel the wind in my hair…until one morning when I walked out the door to find the car missing!

After a frazzled and panicked reaction, I went back home and used the mighty Internet to find the impound lot’s phone number. But…I didn’t know the license plate number of the car (very important!!!) so I did some calling around his friends and roommates to see if they knew the number (they did, thankfully!). Unfortunately, that license plate number wasn’t on record at the impound lot so I was transferred to another official in order to report a stolen car.

Here are some additional tips I learned from my experience:

Prevention Tips

• Know the license plate number of your car or the car you’re driving. WHN TIP: Program the number into your cell phone or keep it in your wallet.
• Park the car on a busy street.
• Park the car away from bushes or other areas where a thief might hide. (The car was parked next to a huge bush.)

Recovery Tips

• Check with the impound lot first to see if the car was towed not stolen. (You’ll need to provide them with the license plate number in order to find this out).
• Retrace your steps. Think of the last place you parked your car and at what time you last saw it. The police will be asking you for this information.
• Think of all the information you know about the vehicle - make, model, year.
• I also had to provide the officer with my date of birth along with the driver’s name and his date of birth.
• Be patient. The car might turn up in a few hours, days, weeks or not at all.

As of today, the car is still missing but I’m remaining hopeful. Check back and hopefully soon I’ll be writing about its return!

Want more information? Head to Be Prepared - Car Theft and Help - Car Theft.

Finally, summer has officially begun and the summer travel season is well underway.

We spoke with Scott McCartney, travel editor for the Wall Street Journal and columnist of The Middle Seat, WSJ’s weekly air travel column. Here are his top three air travel tips for summer:

1. Give yourself lots of time. During the summer vacation season, Scott says, “Delays are at a record level and cancellations are up.” Arrive at the airport in plenty of time to navigate the crowds.
2. Protect your baggage from being lost or stolen. Scott said that “misplaced baggage is a major issue” for summer airline travelers. His suggestion is to write your name or tape an index card with your personal information on the inside of your bag. Why? In the event that your outside luggage tag is ripped or torn off in transit, airline officials may still be able to find you.
3. Fly early in the day, if possible. Scott wrapped up with the tip that in the summertime, “storms are more likely to build in the heat of the afternoon,” which can delay or cancel flights. You stand the best chance of flying straight through if you book your flight during morning hours.

Thanks Scott! His Middle Seat column and discussion forum are available at WSJ.com. It’s always full of good tips, insights and ideas.

Want more? Read WHN’s Top Ten Summer Travel Tips.

It’s hard to talk about the unexpected…but sometimes it’s better to be prepared than sorry.

Today’s neat site, Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?, is especially designed to help you and your loved ones talk about a tough issue: who will get your (or a loved one’s) possessions after you’re gone?

“It’s harder to divide possessions equally among family members. You just can’t,” says Marlene Stum, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota and lead researcher/author of the Pie Plate site. “Items are tied to family rituals and traditions. For instance, the oak dining table might be worth $500 but when you look at the table you don’t see [money], instead you see ‘family dinners with Grandma’.”

It might be hard to talk about these decisions with loved ones so the Pie Plate site has developed free articles and tips on how to start this conversation. Stum also offered four key steps of action you should consider when starting this process:

1. Figure out what you hope to accomplish: Do you wish to give certain items to certain family members? Or prefer to donate other items to museums or to sell the items to raise money for other family members? Think about what your wishes might be.

2. Think about what’s fair: Who should get what? What is the fair process to make these decisions - both now and later?

3. Think about what items are meaningful to certain family members: Maybe a grandchild treasured a music box you once had; or a sister loved your old baseball memorabilia collection. Have conversations with family members about their connections and feelings towards certain items in your home.

4. Write a will. Then create a written list, detailing which family member receives which item. It’s probably best to stick to major items at first then add on smaller items. Mention in your will that you have created this additional list and include this list with your will.

If you’re not creating your own list at the moment, the Pie Plate site also has helpful tips on helping loved ones start this process.

Thanks to Marlene Stum and the others behind the “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” project.

Have a neat site to recommend? Post it in the Comments section below!

Whether you’re doing a small repair job or tackling a huge remodel, it’s important to remember: safety first.

The State of Home Safety in America™ report (2002) found that emergency departments reported more than 330,000 visits due to injuries with home workshop equipment in a single year.

Practicing the correct safety measures can keep you and your loved ones safe from DIY-related injuries. Here’s a few quick links to learn more:

• DIY Safety Smarts (quick tips from our interview with the president of the Home Safety Council, Meri-K Appy)
• Additional DIY Safety Tips from the Home Safety Council
• Hiring a Contractor

Have a DIY safety tip? Post it in the Comments section below!

In honor of Home Safety Month, we’ll be highlighting a few DIY resources and tips over the next few days so check back for the latest!

Sometimes the best information is already out there. One such example is Charles and Hudson, a web magazine dedicated to Do-It-Yourselfers who seek the latest tools, techniques, and designs for home renovation and remodeling.

Founded by Timothy Dahl, the senior web producer of PointClickHome, Charles and Hudson is a great daily read for quick DIY tips and advice. Here’s some of the best of the best from Charles and Hudson:

1. How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

• Indoor Air Quality
• Indoor Air Pollution

2. Prepare Your Home For Storms and Severe Weather

• Storm Preparedness
• Protect Your Home From Flooding
• Hurriquake - Disaster Resistant Nails

3. Finding the Best Contractor for the Job

• Finding a Contractor
• Handyman Hiring Tips
• Top Home Improvement Myths

Have a site you’d like to recommend? Post it in the Comments section below!

Welcome to Day Five of WHN’s Wedding Week!

If you’re changing your name, your spouse is changing his/hers or, you’re both changing your names, here are a few tips:

1. Don’t change your name before the honeymoon! (See yesterday’s post for more honeymooning tips).

2. Order extra copies of your marriage certificate, if possible, from the office where the certificate was filed.

3. You will need to notify government agencies, financial institutions and other organizations about your name change. Bring along a copy of your marriage certificate with you. Click here for a suggested list of institutions you might wish to notify.

4. In some instances, an organization might not accept or recognize your name change. You might then need a court order. Read this article from Nolo.com to learn more.

That’s all for WHN’s Wedding Week! Missed a day? Click on the links below to catch up. Thanks for reading!

• Welcome to WHN’s Wedding Week!
• Tying the Knot…Legally
• Insuring Your Wedding and After…
• The Big Day
• The Honeymooners

Welcome to Day Four of WHN’s Wedding Week!

Congratulations!!

Before you head out on your honeymoon, whether you’re driving or flying, here’s a quick list of helpful tips and articles to make sure your trip is smooth sailing:

1. If you’re traveling for your honeymoon, your passport name must be the same as the name on your travel documents and tickets. Consider using your maiden name on your honeymoon and wait to change your name until you return home. (See tomorrow’s Name Change post)
2. Mention that this vacation is your honeymoon when booking hotels or additional tours and services. You might be able to get a discount or an upgrade. (Remind them when you check in, too!)
3. Traveling abroad? Make sure you get a passport in time before your trip (expect it to take at least 10-12 weeks)!!

Travel Articles

• Be Prepared - Air Travel
• Be Prepared - Car Travel
• Going on a Cruise
• Hotel Tips
• Renting a Car

Have honeymooning tips? Share them in the Comments section below!