Do you have your Halloween costume all ready to go? This year I’ve considered going as a duck because it has been non-stop rain here in Vancouver. But wearing a beak all night does not delight me so I’ll probably end up with something simpler .. like a unicorn ninja.

Whatever costume you (or your kids) decide to wear, if you’re going out trick-or-treating, you’ll want to follow some general principles for safety:

• Makeup is safer than wearing a mask.
• Light colours are better than dark – think more Rey and less Kylo Ren.
• Make sure your costume fits well and isn’t a tripping hazard.

Once you’ve got your costume ready to go, you’ll want to make sure you and your kids are safe when you head down the block. Or, if you’re the one staying home to pass out treats to local ghosts and goblins, you’ll want to be sure your property is safe. Check out our tips for staying safe on the street and for creating a safe trick-or-treating experience.

What costume are you wearing this year? Leave us your best ideas in the comments!

~ Rose R.

I did not have an easy time learning to drive. Until I got my hand/eye coordination figured out, I was prone to drifting into an adjacent lane. Not good. My Driver’s Ed instructor, Coach Parker, used to keep his hand poised right above the steering wheel so he could guide the car back to its own lane if necessary.

Still, even though it was tough when I learned to drive, I can’t imagine being a teen now and trying to figure it out, especially with advent of cell phones and the legalization of cannabis. Sure, we watched MADD videos and understood the importance of not driving while alcohol-impaired, but it seems that teens and new drivers have a lot more to worry about in 2019.

That’s why programs like Parachute’s “Teen Driver Safety Week” are so important. They focus on the key issues that impact young drivers and their passengers and educate them on how to stay safe on the roads. These issues include:

• Impairment from alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both
• Distraction, including from cell phone use
• Lack of skill and experience
• Speeding

During “Teen Driver Safety Week”, Parachute encourages communities to raise issues around and engage in conversations with teen drivers, including activities such as “Positive Ticketing Blitzes” where student and local police work together to give out positive tickets to drivers who exhibit safe behaviour.

Parachute has also created videos like the one below to educate students about the impact of driving while impaired.

More information as well as downloadable resources are available on Parachute’s website. Have you participated in initiatives that promote safe driving in your community? Tell us about it in the comments!

~ Rose R.

Pumpkin spice latte season brings out conflicting feelings for me. On the one hand, it’s a pumpkin spice latte, guys! Plus, pumpkin spice muffins! (Yes, I am one of those nerds that love pumpkin spice – though I do draw the line at pumpkin spice lip-gloss). On the other hand, pumpkin spice heralds the arrival of fall, which is followed close by winter. Super close for places like Calgary and Winnipeg! And while I enjoy cruising the highways and byways of British Columbia in the summer, I could do without winter driving.

But, as a Canadian, winter is in my blood and I know I need to do my part to keep the roads safe during the dark and snowy months. This is my “Getting My Car Winter-Ready Essentials Checklist” (I’m working on a snappier title – suggestions welcome in the comments). It’s not exhaustive, but it will start you and your car down the right road.

Tires
We know we need to switch to winter tires, but when? Our Ultra 94 tire expert, John Mahler, has the answer:

The weather is shifting, and not for the better … (there’s) less tire grip, so caution on the throttle. When the average temperature for the day gets to be about +7C, it is time to consider some winter rubber for your ride.

That +7C mark is about where your summer high performance tires grip levels have dropped to the point where a winter tire has just as much grip. Then, as the mercury drops, summer tires lose even more grip and the winter rubber gets more stick.  Notice I said winter tires, not snow tires. Long gone are the big chunky tires that couldn’t handle bare pavement. Now winter tires are available in speed ratings all the way to W, that’s 270 km/h.

You can read the full post from John over on our Ultra 94 Facebook page.

Battery
I’ll admit, my car battery isn’t something I regularly think about. But with elevated temperatures this summer, I probably should. According to the battery experts over at CAA-Quebec, those high temperatures could affect the chemical reactions in the battery and cause it to be even less responsive in those cold winter months. So swing by your favourite car repair shop and get your battery tested.

Wipers
Wipers are something I do think about a lot, especially in Vancouver. There was a time when my wipers weren’t clearing my windshield in a single sweep. The blades weren’t cracked or torn, but they just weren’t doing the job. I replaced them with a different size and my visibility improved dramatically. Make sure your wipers are up to snuff - clearing your windshield in a single sweep, aren’t cracked and aren’t bumping on your windshield. You can reasonably expect to replace the blades twice a year.

Windshield Washer Fluid
While we’re on the subject of windshields .. this is also the time of year where you want to make sure your windshield washer fluid can handle the cold. Some brands are specially formulated for use in winter – they won’t freeze and are tough on winter gunk like rock salt.

Emergency Kit
Finally, pull out your car’s emergency kit and give it a once-over, replacing or updating any items as necessary.

And that’s my Winter-Ready Essentials checklist! There are definitely other items to inspect on your car as we get deeper into the snowy season, but this is a good start. Are there any winter-ready maintenance essentials that you do in the fall? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

~ Rose R.