Here’s how to avoid the five most common bike-car collisions:

Left Cross

A motorist fails to see a cyclist and makes a left turn–it accounts for almost half of all bike-car crashes, according to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC).

AVOID IT: If you see a car turning into your path, turn right into the lane with the vehicle.”Don’t creep into the intersection at red lights to get a head start,” says Laura Sandt, program specialist for the PBIC.

Right Hook

A motorist passes a cyclist on the left and turns right into the bike’s path.

AVOID IT: Passing stopped or slow-moving cars on the right places you in a driver’s blind spot. Take the lane-it’s your right in all 50 states. “If you’re in the lane, the driver will slow down and stay behind you and wait to make the turn,” says Preston Tyree, who runs the Community Mobility Institute, in Austin, Texas. [Read more…]

Burst washing machine hose – Plastic or rubber washing machine hoses eventually leak and even burst.  Three bad combinations here: The machine jars and jumps; the lines get hot and cold repeatedly; laundry rooms are typically located in low-traffic areas, meaning it may go unnoticed a while. Damage is often extensive and expensive, which is why it’s ranked #1.Precaution: Plastic hoses should be replaced at least every three years, and frequently inspected for leaks.  Best Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers a specially designed stainless hose, (not the same as the “cheapie discount store” model that looks substantial but often isn’t). We also use various thread-seal measures and pressure checks for leaks.

Slow leaks around tub/shower grout and edges – Grout and caulking decay over time, and cracks can develop.  Water seeps into walls and floors little by little causing tub and shower pans to corrode or to actually sink due to softening wood supports. The problem greatly accelerates as more water intrudes, leading to major repairs in plumbing, carpentry, tile work and more.  Insurance rarely covers these expenses.Precaution: Make sure that all water from the shower or bath stays there.  This means securing shower doors and tightly closing curtains.  Also, frequently inspect and repair seals.  A little time now can save thousands of dollars later. On a preventive maintenance trip, Best Plumbing, Heating & Cooling can inspect your tub and shower seals for you.

Toilet seal leaks – If your toilet wobbles it could mean that the seal is worn, or that it   was improperly installed.  Since the seal prevents sewage gases and other wastes from leaking into your home, this is not just a costly repair—it’s a health issue. We’re not talking “maybe” here; sewer gases are a health risk and not to be taken lightly. Get this fixed.Precaution: Periodically check the base of the toilet for water.  If a leak is present, have it repaired immediately.  Best Plumbing, Heating & Cooling or other qualified professional can insure that installation is completed properly and that the seal is undamaged.

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A burn injury can be one of the most devastating injuries a person can sustain, both physically and emotionally. Yearly, close to .5 million people in the United States sustain burn injuries, says the ABA.

Burn Incidence and Treatment in the United States:

Burn Injuries Receiving Medical Treatment: 450,000

This general estimate is derived mainly from federal surveys which provide annual estimates of hospital admissions and visits to hospital emergency departments.

Fire/Burn/Smoke Inhalation Deaths Per Year: 3,400

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