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(ARA) - Colder weather not only has you shutting the windows and cranking up the heat, but also bringing your vehicles into the garage to protect them from the winter elements.

Housing your vehicles in the garage is one thing, but this space houses your workshop, big toys and, in some cases, the man cave where you escape for a football game or afternoon of hanging out with some pals. This is the perfect time of year to make your garage the storage and hang-out space you need for those long winter months.

Here are a few tips that can help you turn your garage into a space that meets all your requirements for many years to come:

* Clean it up. Take the time during these long winter months to clean out the garage of anything not needed (broken car parts, duplicate tools, half-empty cans of paint or stain and even products you've outgrown) and find storage space for what's left over. Purchase storage containers and shelving, or build hanging racks to help get your to keep items off the floor and out of the way. Wash down the floors, scrub the walls and let it dry out before putting everything back in.

* Protect your floors. After driving through the slush and snow, your car or truck is going to be bringing a lot of sand and salt chemicals into your garage. As it melts, this corrosive mixture congregates on the floor, developing pockmarks and cracks in the concrete. Give your garage floor a protective coating like ASPART-X from LINE-X. It's waterproof, abrasion and chemical resistant, and can be customized to any color with the potential for color chips to be added in. It's perfect for designing your man cave with the colors of your favorite team. And think of the concrete repairs you'll save money on down the road.

* Maintenance is important. Sometimes just cleaning the garage isn't enough. You may need to invest a bit of time and energy into the electrical and - if included - heating as well. Replace all the batteries in your garage door openers, and clean the weather stripping between the door panels. Also have a heating professional check out your garage heater at the same time you are getting your home furnace inspected and cleaned. You don't want to come out to the garage on the day the temps drop below freezing and discover the heater isn't working.

Try these tips to turn your garage into a great work space, storage space and potential man cave to hang out with your pals.

(ARA) - As the American home has continued to evolve with the speed of new technology, so has the garage. In order to keep up with the everyday busy lives of homeowners and the need for these homeowners to spread out and utilize all the space within their homes, garages have become a new frontier for functioning space within the home.

The majority of homeowners use the garage as the main entrance way into their homes, making the garage door and its opener imperative to the security of the home, protecting the people and property behind it.

Before, garage doors only opened and closed to let your car in and out of the garage, and you had to be there to do it. But garage doors and openers have improved dramatically in the last decade to do more. If you're interested in upgrading your home's security and curb appeal, don't forget to check out some of the newest high-tech features:

* Control from anywhere around the world: Garage door openers are high tech now, and the LiftMaster openers with MyQ Technology allow you to control your garage door - as well as other household items - from inside your house, while at the office or even from halfway across the world by using your computer or smartphone. This technology lets you monitor if the garage door is opened or closed and allows you the freedom to operate it from a remote location, perhaps to grant access to a family member or allow a delivery.

* Electronic eyes - New garage door openers come with safety sensors that prevent the door from closing if something were to be underneath. If an object breaks the beam of infrared light spanning the width of the door, the garage door won't close - and if something were to cross the sensor as the door is closing, it would cause the door to reverse direction and open up again. This can help protect small children and pets from being struck by the closing door.

* Timers for closing - You've probably forgotten to close your garage door after pulling out of the driveway at least once in your life, leaving your home and property wide open to anyone passing by. New garage door openers allow you to customize the settings on your garage door opener to ensure that the door will close after one minute, five minutes or even 10 minutes of being open.

* Power out? Not a problem - The harsh winter weather can leave many homes without power for extended periods of time. LiftMaster openers are equipped with battery backup, which is very useful during a power failure in severe weather conditions, providing your family with reliable, uninterrupted access to your home and automobiles in the garage.

* Shed light on safety - Exterior lights also have seen technology upgrades, and when placed next to your garage, can deter unwanted visitors. Save money with solar powered lights, or lights that are motion-activated to brightly shine when something approaches the garage. In addition to discouraging unwanted visitors, lights also give your family members a safer environment when arriving home after dark.

Using new technology in and around your garage helps you maintain security and safety and can improve your life in so many different ways. Learn more about how the LiftMaster garage door openers with MyQ Technology can benefit your home and your family at www.LiftMaster.com.

(ARA) - If you've been in an auto dealer's showroom recently, you won't be surprised to learn that the average price of a new car is approaching $30,000. While there's no getting around the price you have to pay for a new automobile, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure you won't have to make the same investment again anytime soon.

By doing the little things to maintain your car on a day-to-day basis, you can do everything in your power to make your car last long past the day you make your final payment on that car loan.

"Time and miles are the two forces fighting to destroy every car," says Tom Taylor, engineer and vice president of RockAuto.com. "Giving the car an occasional wash and wax is nice but really not as important as regular maintenance. Driving and maintaining your car as if it needs to last for at least 200,000 miles or 20 years is a smart way to preserve the value of an expensive asset."

Storage
If you have a garage, make it your car's permanent home. Reserving a garage space for your car instead of household items that could be stored elsewhere will help you avoid the accelerated wear and tear caused by prolonged exposure to the elements.

If you store your car in a partially protected carport or use a car cover, regularly inspect underneath your hood for signs of vermin. "I recently needed to replace a fuel injector connector that a rat gnawed off our 20-year-old family van after it was left unattended in a carport for just a few days," says Taylor. "Rats and mice like a nice warm engine bay and they chew constantly to wear down their ever-growing teeth."

Scheduled maintenance
Your car's maintenance, engine oil, radiator antifreeze and other components might differ significantly from your last car. Following the maintenance schedule laid out in your owner's manual is important to protect your vehicle. The photos in the RockAuto.com online auto parts catalog can help you become familiar with the maintenance parts for your specific car. Making sure items like filters, struts and brake pads are replaced when needed will help protect other components, saving you money and unnecessary wear.

Drive smart
Occasionally kicking up your heels is fine, but consistently accelerating too fast can put unnecessary strain on your engine and other moving parts. Stopping or cornering too quickly can prematurely wear out your brakes and suspension. If you're starting your car in the cold, take it easy at first - letting your car idle won't help protect your car, but driving a little more methodically than usual while your car warms up will.

Drive less
You don't need to cut out the annual family road trip - highway miles are among the easiest miles you can put on your car. But eliminating unnecessary trips in everyday life can have noticeable results since the starting and stopping associated with short trips can be tough on your car. Take care of all your errands in one trip, walk with your kids to school if it's close to home or ride the bus to and from work. If you can cut down on driving by 5 miles per day for 10 years, you'll save 18,000 miles of driving. Taylor estimates that those miles are worth $4,000 in parts, depreciation and gas. Not only will you save money, but you'll also put less stress on your vehicle, which should extend its lifespan.

When shopping for a new car, you might be able to save hundreds of dollars by comparison shopping and finding the best price. But good maintenance and driving practices can save you thousands if it means you won't have to buy another car for 20 years.

(ARA) - With only a few weeks until the official start of winter, now is the perfect time to choose a snow thrower before the blizzards hit. With so many options on the market, which one is right for you?

"When choosing a snow thrower, you really need to take into account the size and surface of your driveway, as well as the type and amount of snow you typically receive each year," says Megan Peth, marketing associate at Yard Machines.

There are two types of snow throwers to consider when purchasing- single-stage and two-stage.

A single-stage snow thrower is ideal for light, powdery snow. The auger of a single-stage snow thrower pulls the snow into the unit and then pushes it out through the chute. For example, the 21-inch Yard Machines single-stage snow thrower is more compact and lightweight than the two-stage models and is made for easy handling and maneuverability. With a 123cc POWERMORE engine and an E-Z Chute rotation adjustment, this unit is ideal for clearing smaller driveways and sidewalks.

Two-stage snow throwers are designed to clear large areas of moderate to heavy snowfall. The auger of a two-stage snow thrower has serrated blades that chop up the snow, then the impeller throws the snow out through the chute, directing it to the desired location.

Two-stage snow throwers also have other heavy duty features. For example, the 24-inch Yard Machines two-stage snow thrower is self-propelled to easily move through the snow at a selectable pace. With a push of the button, the electric start 179cc POWERMORE engine provides the power to remove snow from a variety of terrains with ease.

While snow throwers are perfect for cutting down your time in the cold, they can also be dangerous. Here are a few safety and maintenance tips from Yard Machines to keep you and your snow thrower safe throughout the season.

* Always review the operator's manual before using your snow thrower to avoid serious injury.
* Before using your snow thrower for the first time, add fresh fuel, and then slowly and deliberately prime the unit. This should flush any broken-down fuel, and possible debris, through the system to get the fresh fuel flowing.
* Make sure to change the oil and spark plug each season.
* Run the unit regularly throughout the season even if it doesn't snow consistently.
* Try to throw the snow with the wind, as opposed to against it.
* Always inspect for general debris before clearing snow, and never throw snow at buildings or vehicles.

(ARA) - When families are gathered together this holiday season, you may start to notice changes in an older relative's driving behaviors and begin to have some concerns. You are not alone.

With the number of drivers 70 and older increasing - and one in five Americans caring for an older loved one - the number of adults dealing with concerns about their older relative's driving abilities is on the rise and many are unsure on how to address their concerns.

Resist the temptation to bring up this sensitive topic: Do your homework first

"Taking time to prepare can alleviate concerns and help you start out on the right foot with a thoughtful, positive conversation," says Jodi Olshevski, an expert on aging for The Hartford, an insurance company. "Once you get the facts and educate yourself about the resources available, you will be in a better position to help."

Just because your loved one is older, it doesn't automatically mean you should be concerned about their ability to drive. Plenty of people over the age of 70 get around just as easily as their more youthful counterparts.

If you're worried, you should find out if your concerns are valid. Learn the warning signs, get in the car and observe the older driver. "Choose the right messenger - the person who has the best rapport with the driver, and choose the right time - which is most likely not during family gatherings," says Julie Lee, vice president of the AARP Driver Safety Program.

Warning signs

If you're concerned about your loved one's ability to drive, the first thing you should do is get in the car to observe them firsthand. A comprehensive list of warning signs for older drivers and other resources for older drivers can be found at www.safedrivingforalifetime.com. Here are some examples of the types of things you may want to look for:

Fairly minor warning signs: Vehicle dents and scrapes that weren't there before, single mistakes that appear to be more of a fluke than a pattern.

More serious warning signs: Trouble making left-hand turns, driving in the wrong lane of traffic, stopping in traffic for no reason, consistent and frequent mistakes.

"Making a single, minor driving mistake doesn't mean that a person needs to stop driving," says Olshevski. "Families need to look for patterns of warning signs and an increase in frequency and severity of the warning signs."

Initiating the conversation

Ideally, families should initiate the first conversation about safety long before driving becomes a problem, advises Lee. Car accidents, near misses, self-regulation of driving and health changes all provide opportunities to talk about driving skills.

There's nothing that can make this conversation an easy one, but there are ways you can promote productive dialogue. If you determine that there's reason for concern about your loved one's ability to drive, approaching the situation in a thoughtful and nonthreatening way is important.

"Comments about how much more congested traffic has become recently or about an accident in the news can be a good way to start a conversation about driving safety," says Lee.
In addition to offering safety courses for older drivers at www.aarp.org/drive, AARP also offers an online seminar for those who may need to approach the topic of driving with older family members at www.aarp.org/weneedtotalk.

Starting the conversation is often the most difficult part and your approach can set the tone for how it proceeds. Here are a few suggestions for starting the conversation in a nonthreatening way that will make the older driver more comfortable expressing his or her feelings.

* "Did you hear about the car accident in the news today?"
* "Have you asked your doctor about the effects of your new medication on your driving?"
* "That was a close call yesterday. I worry about your safety on the road."
* "I'm worried about you getting in a car accident with all the ice and snow on the road."
* "I'm glad that you've cut down on night driving. I would never want you to drive when you're not comfortable or feel that it's too risky."

Some other tips for a productive conversation include:
* Prepare for the conversation and do your homework.
* Choose the right messenger and the right time.
* Be supportive, positive, factual and nonthreatening.
* Have transportation alternatives ready.
* Note that it might take more than one conversation to address the issue. Let the person know you're there whenever he or she is interested in chatting about the subject.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when addressing problems your older driver may be having behind the wheel. Some issues can be remedied with improvements in physical fitness, increased attention and driving safety classes. Other situations may call for more immediate action.

To learn more about initiating a productive conversation about driving with your loved one, visit The Hartford's website and download a free guidebook titled "We Need to Talk: Family Conversations with Older Drivers."