Car Safety For Dogs

Car rides for a lot of dogs are an enjoyable experience. Lots of dogs get extremely excited when they realize they are going for a ride. Perhaps your dog is like this; and perhaps you enjoy taking your dog with you on errands, or just out for a breath of fresh air. Dog owners take their dogs to the park, on vacation, and even tagging along to appointments. Vets tell us, however, that there are some safety precautions that dog owners should take when traveling with dogs to ensure everyone's safety.

According to vets, it is a good idea to restrain your dog while riding in the car. If you have any type of car with a trunk open to the inside of the car or with some other vehicles, you can have your dog ride in the back separated from you by a gate or a net. If you have a regular car, there are special dog seat-belts and other types of restraints available. This will insure that your dog will not fly forward into the windshield if you stop suddenly and short. Lots of dogs try to climb into the front seat-this can be distracting to the dog owner, who should be concentrating on driving the car. This can be dangerous and may cause accidents. It is always a good idea to restrain your pet while driving so that you can concentrate on the road.

Dog owners who drive a pickup truck should not let dogs ride free in the pickup bed. This can create a dangerous situation for the dog and other drivers if your dog falls out or decides to jump out. Some dog owners believe that their dog would never jump out of the truck! Vets tell us that dogs are creatures of instinct, and may not be able to contain their excitement if they see a rabbit, squirrel, or another dog, etc., on the side of the road. Dogs that ride without restraints in the pickup bed may also go flying if you stop short and suddenly. Tying the dog in the bed is not a good idea either as the dog may still jump or fall out and wind up being choked or dragged along the road! The best and safest solution is to have your dog ride in the cab of the truck with you.

Most dogs that enjoy riding in cars also enjoy sticking their heads out the window to feel the breeze rush past their faces. This may be a fun activity but it can also be dangerous. The driver of your vehicle may side-swipe another car or object on the side of the road, or the dog may get dirt, gravel, etc. in his eyes. To eliminate some of these hazards, just open the window a little bit so your dog can still feel the breeze flowing past his head; he should not be able to stick his head all the way out of the window.

Vet professionals tell dog owners to never leave dogs in the car with windows completely rolled up as this can be a very serious mistake. Even if you leave the car for a few minutes, this can cause harm or even death to a dog. In the summer the interior of cars can reach almost 150

Too Nauseous to Enjoy a Car Ride or Cruise? Read This!

Motion sickness, car sickness, seasickness - it all boils down to the same thing: tiredness, headaches, irritability, dizziness, and nausea. Vomiting doesn't relieve the symptoms. This affliction makes you feel downright miserable and can completely ruin a car excursion or cruise.

Children are more prone to motion sickness than adults. The years between 2 and 12 are the worst. However, many adults suffer as well - often to the point of complete incapacitation.

Motion sickness is caused by confusion between the brain and the middle ear. When the eyes perceive that you are motionless (as below decks in a ship) but the fluid in the middle ear is rocking and churning, the brain reacts with bewilderment.

Fortunately, the symptoms can be partially prevented or alleviated.

1. Proper Diet

Avoid eating excessively salty or fatty foods and dairy products for 24 hours prior to travel. Just before your trip, have a nutritious meal high in complex carbohydrates. Carbs help to absorb excess stomach acid and tend to be easy on the digestive system. Don't forget to maintain good nutrition before and during travel with a balanced diet and your usual vitamins, if you normally take them.

2. Psychological Preparation

Motion sickness is aggravated by anxiety and stress. Pack some soothing music and a personal MP3 player. Active noise-cancellation headphones help to reduce stress caused by loud sounds. Some people also report excellent results with self-hypnosis audio products.

3. Physical Preparation

If you are tired, stressed, or ill, motion sickness will be more severe. Try to get enough sleep before you travel. Do not put everything off until the last minute. Advance practice on a trampoline, riding in a car, or riding up and down in an elevator seems to help some seasickness-prone individuals.

4. Accupressure Bands

Sold under many names, wristbands that apply pressure to a specific accupressure point may be helpful. They come packaged in pairs - one for each wrist. You can even buy battery-powered models with supplementary electrical stimulation.

5. Forget the Gravol

Conventional nausea medications do not target the root cause of motion sickness. However, a behind-the-ear scopolamine patch often works very effectively. A 'scop-patch' must be applied at least 4 hours prior to travel. It is absolutely essential to wash your hands before and after applying. If you forget and touch your eyes, you can quickly develop itchiness, burning, and blurred vision. These patches adhere well and stay on for days. Scuba divers use them on diving liveaboards. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor for more information.

6. Nature's Answer

Ginger has long been used as a folk remedy for motion sickness. It tastes good - and it probably won't do any damage - so it's worth a try. You can purchase sweetened ginger products or gel-caps.

7. Bookworms Beware!

The reading of books, maps, or computer screens will aggravate motion sickness. Forget about catching up on your reading or spreadsheets. Instead, relax and have a conversation with a fellow passenger.

8. Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon

If your eyes send the same message to the brain that it gets from the inner ear, you are less likely to experience nausea. Watch something stationary in the direction of travel whenever possible. If you are in a ship's cabin, close your eyes and try to nap. The nap will relax you, and the brain will only receive one set of signals. This tends to make the nausea subside as well.

9. Back on Land

Scenario: You have just spent a couple of days onboard ship, and have adjusted quite nicely to the roll of the ocean. You debark for a land tour - and suddenly you are overcome by more nausea. Don't despair! It is likely your body readjusting to the lack of motion. Unless you have picked up a case of 'Montezuma's Revenge' the nausea will subside.

Knowledge is power. Now that you have a few facts, boldly step out where you haven't gone before and enjoy your vacation!

Balloon Ride Business - How To Set Up A Balloon Ride Operation

Where to base your balloon ride: this is the most important factor to consider at the planning stage. Either you base your balloon ride near to a large population centre, with access to the countryside, or you base it in a more isolated area which has a steady stream of tourists passing through it. Where ever you base your balloon ride business, make sure you have access to a steady stream of customers. Africa, Australia, Central and South America, Middle East and Asia -- these places have endless spots of tourist interest, and many operators set up around sites of stunning natural beauty. However, other operators around the world base their balloon ride operations within an hour or so of a city, and you can even fly over some cities, for example, Prague, Stockholm, or Bristol. The weather is of course a factor, and the more reliable the better. You also need to ensure that you have enough landing sites to allow for wind in all directions. You will need to check the air traffic regulations for your proposed area to be sure that balloon ride flights are allowed.

Balloon ride equipment: this is the second most important factor to consider in your planning. Your basket will be made out of wicker to allow for flexibility in the event of a bumpy landing. You can get baskets in 'single T', where the pilot is at one end of the basket, or 'double T', where the pilot is in the middle of the basket with passengers either side. The 'double T' is the preference of most pilots and operators since it allows for more even weight distribution and ease of passenger supervision. Woven floor baskets are light and are designed for small-medium size balloons. With bigger balloons, you will need a basket with solid floors to give some rigidity. There are a number of products on the market, allowing for different configurations of passenger layout. Larger baskets have doors and allow for wheelchair access. Do your research, have manufacturers send you brochures and ask other operators for their views on baskets.

The balloon itself is known as the 'envelope', and these are increasingly built of Hyperlast, an exceptionally tough UV resistant fabric. Such envelopes can have a sky life of up to 800 hours. Larger envelopes give greater stability during flight and allow for a greater travel distance, since they act like sails and catch the wind to a greater extent than smaller envelopes. However, larger envelopes are more cumbersome to handle on the ground which means you may need a bigger crew to handle them. How big you go all depends on you -- but be aware of the consequences of your decision.

Which burner you choose depends on two factors, the size of the envelope, and the operating conditions. You will need to research whether you need a triple or quad burner. If you are going to operate in an area of some noise sensitivity then look into buying a stealth burner as part of a multi-burner unit. If you are operating in a hot country then look into a 'Shadow' or 'Sirocco', both of which ensure better comfort for your balloon ride passengers.

You will also need to think about deflation systems. There are reversible quick deflation systems on the market but be aware that there is quick and quick. Some are not nearly as quick as others. Therefore, in all instances, get the supplier to give you a demo of the deflation system. Again, read up on your subject and speak with experienced operators before you buy.

Road vehicle and trailer: as the balloon crosses the sky, you'll need four wheels tracking it on the ground so that the ground crew can meet the balloon in which ever field or open area the balloon ride ends up. This vehicle will then need to ferry the passengers back to your operations base - which could be some considerable distance away. The eight to twelve seat Land Rover Defender gets the thumbs up from many balloon ride operators, though also consider the Toyota Landcruiser, and the VW Syncro microbus. Of course, there are other vehicles on the market but the ones listed are very popular with balloon ride operators. You will also need a flatbed trailer, which should have small wheels below the truckbed. Also consider getting a winch or crane to assist with loading and unloading.

Other hardware: consider how you are going to record bookings. Some balloon ride operators use a telephone booking system, and/or a computer reservation program. Others have the whole operation sub-contracted to a travel agent.

Pilot: you can contract a pilot on a long term or seasonal basis. Again, do your research as to what terms are reasonable and exactly what paper qualifications the pilot should have if, say, the pilot is from the USA, Australia or the UK. Regulatory systems vary but for sure your pilot will need a licence. Accept no excuses and ask to see the licence as evidence of qualification. Look for a pilot with about 5 years experience - they will know what they are doing.

Ground crew: how many ground crew you will need all depends on the size of your envelope, and on the overall size of your operation. The ground crew does not require formal training, but your pilot will normally work out a program of instruction if requested. In any event, your ground crew must know what they are doing.

Licensing of the balloon ride business: the point to make here is that regulatory systems around the world vary, so you need to do thorough local legal research. For example, in the UK, the balloons, the operators and the pilots all require approval for public transport operations. However, other countries have less stringent requirements in relation to some of these aspects of the business. Make sure you know the rules that will be applicable to the different elements of your business in the area in which you intend to operate. Contact the national aviation authority, or similar body, for the country in which you wish to base your balloon ride operation.

Legal obligations and insurance: if your passengers are paying for a balloon ride in your balloon then you will have a contractual duty to look after their safety, and, depending on the jurisdiction, you may also have a 'duty of care' operating in law outside the contract. There may even be public health regulations, or similar, applicable to your balloon ride operation. Again, do your research on the local law, consult a lawyer, and find out about the necessary level of insurance cover. By way of example, for the UK, you should be looking at cover of around £2,000,000.

Book keeping and accounts: you will need to keep a record in a ledger or computer system of all income receipts and expenses. All expenses incurred in connection with the your balloon ride business will be deductible to tax, including wages, advertising, transport, literature, agent commissions. You will only pay tax on that part of your income that is left after expenses have been paid. You will need to file some sort of tax return, so consider retaining an accountant.

If you do decide to take a business to the air and set up a commercial balloon ride operation then keep the above points in mind. I wish you all the best with your business.

10 Tips to Stay Safe When Riding an Atv

1. Plan Ahead
Before leaving the house, check the weather forecast and make sure you're prepared for what's to come. Getting caught in the rain on an ATV without warning can make riding unsafe, and riding without proper attire could get you sick.

2. Check the Rules
Check rules and guidelines for the trail or area that you will be riding in. Signs may indicate certain wildlife precautions or river rapid warnings that may pertain to you and are designed for your safety. Following the rules may not always be fun, but safety is key when riding your ATV.

3. Gear-Up
Wear the proper safety gear when riding your ATV. Goggles, gloves, a helmet, and protective clothing should all be warn. Additional gear such as elbow and knee pads, or over the ankle boots are also smart to bring along. Not only does this protect you, but allows you to have a fun time with less risk! Also don't forget to pack a snack, to keep your blood sugar up.

4. Bring a Friend
Never go riding alone on your ATV, because you never know what could happen. If your ATV rolls and you get injured, having a friend to go get help can be useful. If you must ride alone, bring a cell phone and stay in areas with service so you're never really alone.

5. Follow Precautions
Always follow the guidelines and cautions for your particular ATV. For example, if your ATV is a one-passenger, never ever have more than one passenger riding! Also make sure you check weight restrictions and follow them diligently. These vehicles have been tried and tested for your safety, and precautions are in place for a reason.

6. Slow Down
It's easy to get a bit carried away when you're having a great time riding off-road. However, the faster you go, the less likely you are to notice holes, branches and other hazards in the road. Keep a safe pace when you're in an unfamiliar area to assure your safety. It's also imperative to keep a safe distance between other ATV riders to avoid collision.

7. Know your Vehicle
Never ride an unfamiliar ATV or let another rider or child ride one without proper training. As fun as ATVs are, they can be dangerous too. Be a friend and watch out for other riders to make sure they know what they're doing. It's always fun to impress your friends with tricks, but if you're not sure you can pull it off, just don't risk it.

8. Know the Area
Since riding ATVs is often an off-road activity, there are all kinds of natural hazards. Knowing the area you're riding helps a lot, but even so it's best to do a slow ride-through before taking off, to make sure there are no big hazards. If you do go to an unfamiliar area, bring a map, compass, and a friend.

9. Avoid Paved Roads
ATVs were made or meant to be ridden on paved roads. They are specially designed and equipped for off-road riding, and even the most trained rider will have trouble riding them anywhere else. Use a trailer or truck to transport your ATV to your riding destination, never ride it there yourself.

10. Stay Sober
A lot of ATV accidents that happen are due to intoxicated drivers fooling around and having a good time. While many look at ATVs differently than a regular motor vehicle, they can still be very dangerous and even fatal when ridden improperly. You should never, ever ride an ATV under the influence of any mind or body altering substance.

Land Rover Freelander 2 in Uk Motor Show

Land Rover's new Freelander 2 caught the eyes of hundreds of visitors in the 2006 British International Motor Show, making it one of the stars in the London exhibition. Visitors from the UK and Europe had taken quick glances and admired the new compact SUV from Land Rover.

"We've been delighted with the level of interest shown in the new Freelander 2. Not only have visitors been making a bee-line to our stand to see the car in the metal for the first time but we've had thousands of people asking for more details about it. We are confident many of those inquiries will turn into sales. It's been a really successful show for us," said Andy Griffiths, UK Marketing Director of Land Rover.

The Freelander 2 is an update of the earlier Land Rover Freelander. Like its predecessor, the Freelander 2 is an all terrain 4WD with the exceptional on-road performance and off-road ability of a true Land Rover model, and of course with quality Land Rover Freelander parts. The new Freelander 2 is equipped with two new engines - the 2.2-liter TD4 and the 3.2-liter i6 petrol. The fine, elegant interior offers a leather comfortable seats that allows its occupants to feel a smooth riding experience.

The Freelander 2 is equipped with technologically advanced features such as cruise control, full color touch screen DVD satellite navigation, trip computer, auto lights, front rain sensor with auto wiper operation, and park distance control.

When it comes to safety, Freelander 2 will provide customers a bunch of safety features that includes anti-lock braking systems (ABS), emergency brake assists (EBA), corner brake control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, and hill descent control.

The patented technology from Land Rover, which is the Terrain Response technology, is also included in the new Freelander 2. This innovative system developed by Land Rover enables the driver to automatically adjust the engine, gearbox, and chassis system to adapt to the various terrains that it will encounter.

Price range for the new Land Rover Freelander 2 starts at £22,000 and can increase up to £30,000.

Enjoying the Auto Ride on the Road

Avto is an important vehicle for transportation and is mostly used by and large in the Asian countries. An avto or avto rickshaw as it is popularly called by is modernized form to a large extent of the conventional rickshaw or also velotaxi. It is generally the cart having three wheels and driven by the avto driver and has associated to the cabin cycle. The Avto rickshaws are very common modes of transport and are particularly helpful when the traffic seems to create more problems during the busy office hours. Normally up to three people can be comfortably seated in the avto. Any avto rickshaw has the body made up of sheet-metal and is open framed and is resting on three wheels. The avto has the fittings of the version of air-cooled two-stroke engine. The steering wheel is replaced by the handlebar controls. If the avto breaks down then simply two to three persons can easily lift up the vehicle. Many people of the Asian countries prefer avtos as they are much faster to travel in and easily reach the destination quickly. The building and structure of the vehicle seems that it is not so safe for carrying people. The mode of driving makes them very prone to accidents and damages are many. Some accidents even lead to death of people. Very suitable advantages for the avtos are that they have particularly lesser radius for taking turns so they get the permission for weaving through the traffic conditions easily. But this advantage also leads to unnecessary traffic congestion also. The avtos are also used in many films. Some of the films depict racing featuring the avtos are the films have also received acclamation. The summit speed of the avtos is that of more or less 50 km per hr that is about 31 mph and the normal travel speed is that of 35 km per hr or 22 mph. Though many measures are tried to be taken by the traffic regulatory bodies so that the avto drivers try to control the speed but actually no procedures are proving to be effective. Avtos are found of different sizes and shapes and colors but the basic remains almost the same. In some parts the avto rickshaws are also called as “tuk tuk”. When you are going to hire the avto rickshaw haggling with the driver is very common. But many cities have fares fixed according to the rules. Many companies manufacture this form of vehicle. In spite of many related skirmishes that are involved in avtos the vehicle is very much in demand by the passengers in the regions where they are popular.