Page loading ... Please wait.

(ARA) - When the weather cools down, there's no reason the active season needs to end. As campgrounds become less crowded and the weather cools down, fall conditions can make for some of the more pleasant outdoor experiences. And let's not forget it's also hunting season.

If you're used to only getting outdoors in the summer, you're in for a whole new experience with the crisp air, fresh scents and colorful leaves that come along with a shift in the season. Before you head out, take a look at this checklist to ensure you and your belongings remain warm and dry:

* Bring more clothes than you'll think you'll need. You can always put more clothes on, as long as you have them. In cold weather, it's just as important to stay dry, as it is to stay warm. So if you work up a sweat with your afternoon activity, it's a good idea to change into dry clothes for the evening.

* Concentrate on keeping your hands, feet and head warm. These are common places for heat to escape your body. Dry-fit socks are a good investment to keep your feet warm. You may also find that the extra pair of gloves or the handwarmers you packed will go a long way toward keeping you toasty.

* If you plan on being outside a lot, a campfire will keep you warm all night. Make sure you have enough wood and scout out places where you can buy firewood before you head out. Transporting wood over long distances is not recommended, as you can unwittingly transport invasive species like the emerald ash borer. Depending on the size of the fire, dryness and type of wood, a bundle of wood will last one to two hours.

* If you plan on camping, make sure you have a properly rated sleeping bag. Most sleeping bags come with ratings that will tell you the lowest temperature at which they'll remain comfortable.

* As you'll probably need more gear for a cold-weather outdoors trip, consider options for storing it. If there's no place at your destination to keep your gear warm and dry, considering bringing a tarp to protect it. A storage device, such as a truck bed cover that both keeps your gear secure and protected from the elements can provide the ideal storage solution. For example, the Access Roll-Up Cover offered by Agri-Cover can be fitted to your truck and locked so you don't have to worry about your belongings getting wet or stolen while you are out exploring. More information can be found at www.accesscover.com.

With the proper preparation, cold weather outdoors trips can offer you a new and interesting recreational experience, and may prove to be more comfortable than you previously thought.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Traveling with children can sometimes seem like a challenge, even for the most patient parents. Long stretches in car or airplane seats can easily leave kids bored and hungry. Packing plenty of snacks can fill the hunger need, but what's a parent to do when the Goldfish are all gone?

Of course, there are songs to sing and classic traveling games to share from your own childhood-spotting license plates from every state, building stories using every letter of the alphabet (A is for Alice?), scouting out clouds that look like objects or having a sing-along to your kids' favorite tunes. But if you're in a less visually stimulating environment or just need some quiet time, you might consider more high-tech diversions.

Technology is a great tool to keep kids entertained while traveling. Today's kids watch their parents interact with technology daily, making it a natural way to fill time-even for younger children. Here are four preschool-friendly devices that can help occupy even the youngest traveler while on-the-go:

* Your iPhone - What's that you say? You never let your little one play with your iPhone? You might want to rethink that strategy - especially when you can download applications made specifically for preschoolers. Fisher-Price, the same company that helped you learn letters, numbers, animal sounds and music when you were a kid, has turned three of its most popular toys into iPhone apps for 2 to 5 year olds, including the Chatter Telephone App, See 'n' Say App and Little People Farm App. Price ranges from 99 cents to $1.99.

* A portable DVD player - How did parents survive long trips with small kids in the days before portable DVD players? With models that can do double duty in the car, on planes or even in a hotel room on a rainy day - and longer battery life spans on newer versions -- a portable DVD player can be a lifesaver in a number of settings. Pack a DVD case with your child's favorite animated features or educational DVDs and get the popcorn ready!

* A music player just for them - An MP3 player or iPod may not be practical for your 3-year-old, but how about a music player made just for his age group? The Kid-Tough Music Player's simple controls, built-in speakers and sing-along microphone ensure your little one will stay entertained on a long drive or flight. The player can store more than four hours of your child's favorite tunes, including AAC files. And who knows -- you may just be cultivating the talents of the next Justin Bieber. ($49.99)

* Kid-friendly video camera - Foster your little one's budding inner Spielberg with a video camera made just for preschoolers. The Kid-Tough Video Camera ($59.99) features simple controls (kids don't have to be able to read to use it), a 1.5-inch LCD preview screen, built-in memory for storing up to five minutes of video, an SD card slot for more storage, and a USB cable for transferring images to your computer. Encourage your youngster to record the trip from her car seat or create silly videos about her first plane ride to share with her preschool buddies after she gets home.

The travel part of your family trip can be fun for everyone along for the ride - from parents to the youngest explorers. For more kid-friendly entertainment options or travel toys for families with young children, visit www.fisher-price.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Americans have purchased more than 15 million all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles over the past 10 years. Along with the thrill of the ride, or the convenience of chores made easy, comes the responsibility of maintaining these machines.

Typically, most guys and gals with a garage - or at least the garage mentality - know that regular vehicle maintenance comes with the territory, much like owning a car. But knowing what to do, doesn't always lead to doing it correctly. The owner's manuals that come with the vehicle contain a lot of good information, including a full maintenance schedule, but here are a few items you don't want to miss.

Changing the oil and checking fluid levels - As with any motorized vehicle, regular oil changes are a must for your ATV. Be sure to follow your vehicle's oil change schedule and, if the vehicle's been sitting all winter, check all fluids.

Check tire pressure - Check the tire pressure on all tires and follow manufacturer recommendations for air pressure levels.

Inspect or replace the spark plugs - The beginning of the season is a good time to replace your spark plugs, as it is a surefire way to help get your machine started more easily after its winter hibernation. Inspecting the old one is also a good way to give you an indication as to how your engine was running.

Check battery connections - After sitting idle all winter, you'll want to check the battery connections for possible corrosion and ensure they are solid.

Changing, cleaning and oiling the air filter - This is probably the most overlooked aspect of regular maintenance. Putting oil on an air filter may seem counterintuitive, but it is an essential step when replacing the air filter on many motorsports vehicles. Air filter maintenance is important in everything from a small off-road motorcycle to larger utility ATVs like the Yamaha Grizzly 700. Let's take a closer look at this important step.

"Anyone that has spent a day on dusty trails and then taken a look at their air filter can attest that the foamy exterior is likely covered in dirt and debris," says Travis Hollins, Yamaha's ATV product planning manager. "You need that moist, sticky filter oil to catch the dirt and other particles that otherwise can foul up the engine and cause long-term damage."

Many miss this detail because most air filters are not sold with the oil already applied. So, anyone cleaning or replacing an air filter will need to add the oil. It is a simple three-step process. Step 1: Remove the air filter. Step 2: Clean the filter with a specially recommended cleaner and rinse with water. Step 3: Allow the newly cleaned filter to dry, then re-apply your filter oil. Your local dealer can provide more advice and recommendations or you can look up more information on your manufacturer's website. Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., as an example, offers a step-by-step instructional video by logging on to www.yamahaoutdoors.com. Click on "parts and service," then the "filter maintenance" button to view the video.

For many gear heads, tinkering with the engine and doing regular maintenance provides just as much satisfaction as a long trail ride or day at the track. A little time investment in the garage can payoff in hours of good riding.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - With the growing use of cell phones and text messaging, it's not surprising that risky and distracted driving are the main causes of teen motor vehicle accidents. A 2009 Pew survey estimates that 26 percent of all American teens have texted while driving, and 43 percent have talked on a cell phone while driving.

Today's teen drivers face an increasing number of risks and distractions, making safe driving habits more important than ever. At the same time, teen driving laws are evolving, and fewer public schools across the country can afford to offer drivers' education.

Many community organizations and even large businesses have stepped in to proactively help teens learn the importance of practicing safe driving skills. For example, UPS, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and UPS NASCAR driver David Ragan are partnering for the second consecutive year to present UPS Road Code, a comprehensive safe driving course, based on UPS's own driver training programs, to help teach teens across the nation the importance of safe driving and defensive driving skills.

"When I'm on the race track, I'm surrounded by about 40 other cars while driving sometimes more than 150 mph. I can't afford any distractions," says Ragan, UPS Road Code spokesperson. "Defensive driving is a priority for me on and off the track, and I think there needs to be greater education for American teenagers on what it means to be a safe driver."

A teen's first priority while driving should be to pay attention to the highway. Some helpful tips for keeping their eyes on the road include:

* Give enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to allow you a view of all your surroundings. A driver should be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you.

* Identify "stale" green lights -- a light the driver did not see turn green -- and prepare to stop if it turns red before you reach it.

* Be observant and expect other drivers to do unpredictable things while driving around you, such as speeding and changing lanes.

* Use your signals, lights and horn to communicate with other drivers on the road.

* Establish cushion space by delaying your start from an intersection by three seconds after the vehicle in front of you has moved.

* Check your mirrors every five to eight seconds because hazards that can cause an accident aren't always in front of you.

Learning the risks and consequences of driving, plus hands-on experience behind the wheel, is essential to improve driving among teens. Drivers' education, graduated licensing systems and teen-driving programs provide youth important information and the opportunity to practice safe driving. More teen safe-driving tips from UPS Road Code can be found online at www.ups.com/roadcode.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Hitting the open road is something most of us do every day. Handling an auto insurance claim is something none of us wants to do, but like it or not, may have to deal with one day.

If it has been awhile since you reviewed your policy, it's best to make sure you have adequate coverage in the event that an accident happens. Here are five common misconceptions about auto insurance that might help clarify things for you.

1. I thought I had "full coverage." Many people believe that an auto insurance policy automatically includes things like collision coverage, protection against theft or damage of special custom add-ons, or even automatic rental car reimbursement after an accident. In truth, these are often options that you must specifically choose when getting car insurance quotes.

2. I thought I had rental-car reimbursement. If you've been in an accident and your car is not drivable, you'll most likely need a rental car. It's easy to assume that an auto policy automatically covers the cost of renting a temporary replacement car. However, this too is an option. Rental car reimbursement coverage must be specifically requested and purchased when you buy your policy.

3. I thought I wasn't at fault. Determining who's at fault in any accident is neither a hasty, nor an arbitrary decision. If the accident is serious enough, a police officer would likely come on scene and file a report. Your insurance company will do an investigation of its own to gain a clear, 360-degree view of what happened.

4. I wasn't driving my car when it was damaged. Why am I being held responsible? If you lend your car to a friend who then happens to get into an accident, it might seem obvious that your friend would be responsible for the damage. In truth, however, auto coverage follows the car.

5. My car was totaled in an accident, but the amount of my claim settlement isn't what I paid for the car. If your vehicle is deemed a total loss after an accident, in certain cases, it may be impossible to recoup the full cost of the car. Natural depreciation, market changes and other factors are all calculated into your reimbursement fee.

Now that you've been educated on some of the most common misconceptions about insurance, you'll know what questions to ask when getting free car insurance quotes online.

Courtesy of ARAcontent