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How To Drive Safely In Winter

How To Drive Safely In Winter

Weather can vary considerably over a very short period of time and distance. Winter can often strike suddenly and severely, leaving motorists unprepared for the conditions. This is an essential guide to driving safely in winter from GEM Motoring Assist, the leading UK driver based road safety association.

Winter driving checklist
Before winter weather arrives, check that your vehicle:
• is properly maintained and serviced
• tyres have plenty of tread depth, are in good condition and correctly inflated (don’t forget the spare)
• radiator contains anti-freeze and the cooling system is free from leaks
• battery is in good condition (many garages / battery suppliers will carry out this check free of charge)
• windscreen wipers and washers are working effectively
• washer bottles are full and contain anti-freezing / cleaning additive.

Before driving in winter weather check that:
• all lights are clean and working properly
• all windows and mirrors are clean and clear from snow and ice.

Winter driving tips
• use dipped headlights in poor visibility
• reduce your speed compared to ‘normal’ driving conditions
• keep a safe stopping distance behind the vehicle in front. It takes much longer to stop in wet or icy conditions
• avoid harsh braking, acceleration and steering
• keep a careful watch out for other road users especially motorcyclists, pedal cyclists and young pedestrians.

Plan your journey
Before setting out on a journey during winter weather conditions make the following checks:
• is the journey absolutely necessary?
• check the local and national weather forecasts
• obtain travel information and road conditions from local and national radio
• ensure that the vehicle has a full fuel tank
• give an estimated time of arrival at your proposed destination
• take the appropriate equipment with you. Consider the following: mobile phone, warm clothing / footwear, torch, shovel, hot drink, food, fluorescent / reflective tabard / jacket, warning triangle, and a mat or sacking for extra grip in deep snow
• finally ask yourself again if the journey is necessary.

Once on your way
• if you get into trouble, try not to abandon your vehicle, stay with it until help arrives
• if you are forced to leave your vehicle make yourself visible by wearing a fluorescent / reflective tabard / jacket.

Clean Vintage Glass and Antique Porcelain Safely

Clean Vintage Glass and Antique Porcelain Safely

Cleaning vintage glass and antique porcelain should be done with the utmost of care. Before you wash your porcelain piece you have to remove the dust and the dirt from it. For un-restored antique porcelain you can use a soft brush to remove the dirt and use a mild dishwashing liquid to wash it. Never ever use abrasive cleaners or put porcelain in your dishwasher. Never immerse your porcelain in water completely, it is best to use a damp cloth to clean porcelain items. Use a dabbing or gentle wiping motion. If the porcelain piece has no stains, it is best to leave it alone and use a dry cleaning method instead. Use a dry, soft brush to remove dust and any particles. While cleaning your antique piece you have to take extra care to place it on a soft towel or other soft fabric.
If there is a need to remove some stains from the antique porcelain you can use cotton soaked in hydrogen peroxide (20% vol) and ammonia. You can re-soak the cotton swabs if needed during the cleaning process.
Vintage glass should also be never cleaned in a dishwasher or by using an abrasive cleaner. Wash one piece at a time using mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Use a plastic bowl or bucket while you wash vintage glass pieces.
Before cleaning glass, take off any jewelry you have on your hands such as rings or bracelets so you don’t risk scratching your piece. If you have hard water, consider using bottled or filtered water instead of tap water. Also, pad the washing and drying area with some soft towels or cloths.
If the glass you are cleaning is stained by alcohol or usage of hard water, you can use citric acid or white vinegar with warm water to clean such glasses.
For glass that has a foggy look to it, that is not original to the glass, toothpaste or denture whitening paste will work. Simply put a dab of the paste on your finger and gently rub the glass. This also removes smoke stains from being in a house where there are smokers.
For glass with mineral or chemical deposits, you can use the same chemical cleaner that you use to clean your bathtub or tile from calcium deposits. Be sure to rinse the chemical off quickly though.
When cleaning any glass, it is critical to use lukewarm water to rinse only. Using water that is too hot or too cold may risk shattering the glass.
For very expensive or old cut glass, etched glass or painted glass, be extra careful. Cleaning may damage these surfaces. For very fragile glass like this, it may be best to consult a professional conservator.
Avoid using strong acids while cleaning older glasses since they may etch the glass and spoil the look of the vintage glass.
After cleaning, it is best to let your antiques, whether glass or porcelain to air dry for a bit, then use a soft, lint free towel to gently dab any excess water off of them.
With careful cleaning and handling, your vintage glass and antique porcelain items will look beautiful for years to come.

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