Daily Archives: March 17, 2020

Crashing The Company Car: What To Do Next

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There is nothing scarier than being involved in a road traffic accident. The sensation of losing control of a vehicle in which you are currently sitting is terrifying. Add to that the fact you’ve rolled the company car? Scary stuff. 

Most people will tell you not to panic as the company you work for should have vehicle accident management software for moments like this. They’ll see it wasn’t your fault and they’ll be able to walk you through what to do next. The company will also likely have lawyers to worry about all of this for you and cover you with insurance. However, you need to think about your own legal rep and how to ensure that you’re not taken advantage of if you need help. A lot of information will be thrown at you in the wake of a car accident, and you need to take a step back and give yourself a moment to absorb it. With that in mind, here’s what to do if you’re in a wreck with the company car. 

Close-Up Photo Of Steering Wheel

Image source: Pexels

  • Are You Responsible?

The very first thing to figure out is whether or not you are responsible for this mess. It’s not nice to talk about it, but you need to be present in the investigation. The accident software your company installs in company cars will be a big help, as will dash cam footage. Understand whether this was your negligence or negligence at the hands of the other driver, and you will be just fine. 

  • Insurers

If your company is to blame, as in, they didn’t adequately service the vehicle, they will be answerable to their actions – not you. Yes, you’re responsible for driving, but if you were put in a dangerous situation it’s important to be able to get help and back up with the company insurance. They will be liable for costs, not your personal pocket. 

However, if you are to blame for this accident because of non-work related car use or being illegal with the car, you could lose your job as well as a shot at any compensation. This is not the outcome you want here. 

  • How To Handle It

You should never assume your company will take care of it all for you. Insurers are costly and it makes sense to ensure that you have your own legal help to advise you if there has been an accident. Hiring a personal injury lawyer who is knowledgeable on what to do in these situations is going to be the smartest move you could make. 
It may be difficult to deal with all of this legal headache, but deal with it you must. Get some help from a professional before you get back to driving again. You need physiotherapy to get you on your feet and a therapist for your mental health, too. Car accidents are not a joke. No matter what you do, make sure that you get the best advice possible and protect yourself while you recover.

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What Does A Turbocharged Car Deal Look Like?

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Pixabay – CC0 Licence

Owning a car is a necessary yet expensive hazard of being a grown-up. Whether you want to get to and from work as quickly as possible or need space to load the kids, it’s hard to manage without a vehicle. So, finding the best possible deal is a must as the running costs will add up in the long run. Plus, that’s not to mention the breakdown expenses, as well as the fluctuating petrol and tax rates. Yes, you can shop around for an affordable insurance policy once you own a car, but first, it’s about milking the dealer for every penny.

To help you, here are the factors that constitute a turbocharged deal.

High Trade-In Value

The majority of motorists already have a car to use as leverage during the negotiations. And, you should trade-in your vehicle to reduce the upfront price of the car that you want to buy. However, getting the full amount isn’t as simple as asking a dealership for a quote. If they don’t give you a low figure, they’ll add the expenses elsewhere to make back the money. Therefore, it’s essential to watch out for excessive dealer fees or a trumped-up warranty that’s unnecessary. A fantastic tip is to sell your car outright to avoid dealers and their sneaky tricks.

Profit Margin Quotes

Almost every estimate that a buyer gets is based on the listing price that the seller sets. However, a better option is to negotiate a discount based on retail price, which is what the dealer paid for the vehicle. Initially, the reduction might not seem as high if what they paid is more than the listing price. But, keep in mind that the discount applies to any car that is the same make or model, or from the same manufacturer. If the car you want doesn’t have as many “high-end” features, the RP will be lower and the discount will lead to bigger savings.

Practical Perks

Sellers have all kinds of perks that they like to throw in to show that they are going the extra mile. Of course, some of them aren’t applicable to you, and that means you pay more because you don’t get your money’s worth. For example, a longer warranty is more useful than roadside assistance if you already have it with your insurer or bank. A superior protection plan for car owners is about paying less for maintenance and repairs. Although it sounds obvious, motorists will accept add-ons as goodwill gestures regardless. Now, you know that ineligible perks are expensive.

Car Comparisons

You have a vehicle in mind and don’t want to buy another one. Still, it’s worth using another, similar car as leverage. How? By taking elements of the vehicle at a competing lot and using it to lower the price. Does the model you want have more miles on the clock? If so, let the seller know that you’re leaning towards purchasing the alternative listing as the engine is tighter. This should encourage them to reduce the price, even though you had no intention of going with another model.

Do you think you can craft an incredible deal now you know the tricks of the trade?

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4 Harmful Effects of UV Rays from the Sun

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We all know that UV rays can be dangerous to our health. The most commonly known negative effects are related to the skin, which is why a lot of people use sunscreens with UV protection components on a daily basis. But did you know that the harmful effects of UV rays are more than just skin deep?

The high-energy UV radiation emitted by the sun has been linked to a lot of health problems. Among these are cancer, optic issues, and serious skin conditions. Many studies have found that those people who spend a lot of time under the sun have reported health concerns related to UV rays.

Even if you don’t go out often or the beach is not really your favourite place to go, UV rays can still harm you in your homes. Areas that have a lot of sun exposure are also prone to the negative effects of UV rays. Here are some harmful health concerns associated with UV radiation.

Skin conditions

Commonly, people are aware that frequent exposure to the sun can cause damage to the skin. And those who want to keep their skin looking good would resort to the use of sunscreen. But more than appearance-related damages, UV rays can cause bigger skin conditions like sunburn and premature ageing.

When our skin is exposed to the sun for excessive amounts of time, UV rays cause a huge change in the cells, tissue, and blood vessels on the skin. Long-term effects of this can include skin pigmentation and signs of ageing due to the gradual loss of the skin’s elasticity.

Cancer

The skin is the first line of defence against harmful UV rays. But frequent exposure to high-energy UV radiation can ultimately lead to cancer. Skin cancer is a common sickness experienced by people who get excessive sun exposure. It normally happens to uncovered areas of the body like the ears, face, neck, and forearms. The number of people developing it increases over the years as the sun’s UV rays get stronger and more harmful.

Eye problems

When the eyes are exposed to bright light, they naturally squint to minimize the sun’s exposure to UV rays. But this natural protection is not enough to counter high-energy UV radiation, which can still penetrate the eyes and cause serious conditions.

Common eye problems associated with UV rays arephotokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis. These are inflammatory conditions in the eyes, quite similar to the sunburn we get on our skin. They usually occur after excessive sun exposure and can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Although they don’t cause any long term effects on vision, it’s still ideal for protecting your eyes using UV protective shades.

Cataract development is another eye condition that can be associated with UV rays. This is when proteins in the eye entangle and accumulate pigments that can eventually lead to blindness. There are many causes of cataracts, but exposure to UV radiation poses a major risk for cataract development.

Weaker immune system

The immune system fights off sicknesses from entering our bodies. However, studies have found that excessive exposure to UV rays affects the response of the immune system, hence increasing the risk of infection and diseases. It has also been found that UV rays reduce the effectivity of vaccines in the body.

Even in the comfort of your homes, it’s important to take preventive measures to keep yourself safe from UV radiation. Put on sunscreen with UV protection components or install UV protection window films to ensure adequate safety.

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What's That Clunking Sound? Probably A Problem With Your Plumbing

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While ghost stories have always been with us, nothing accelerated their popularity more than modern plumbing systems. Pipes, boilers, and faucets have an uncanny ability to stimulate our superstitions, thanks to the eerie sounds they make when they malfunction. 

Plumbing noises, however, aren’t the dead trying to communicate with you – they’re just a sign that you have something wrong with your system, and you need to do something to fix it. 

Knowing what different sounds mean, though, can be a challenge. If you’re not a plumber, you can’t always tell the difference between a whistling or clunking noise, and whether it is dangerous or not. 

In this post, we’re going to run through some of the noises you can hear and what they might mean. Don’t take any of this as gospel; you’ll need an accredited plumber to diagnose the actual issue with your system. But these general rules of thumb can help steer you towards the source of the problem. 

Banging Sounds In Your Pipes

Pixabay – CC0 License

Banging sounds in your pipes are among the most unnerving noises that you can hear in your home. All that rattling and clanking can lead you to believe that there’s a poltergeist in your midst. 

The actual cause of this sound is something called a “water hammer,” and it usually means that you have some kind of blockage. 

Piping doesn’t stay perfectly clean forever. Over time, gunk builds up in the system and impedes the flow of water. When this happens, it jolts around, creating a hammer-like action. 

The trick here is to clear the obstruction. Identifying where that is, however, is a challenge, and requires the help of a professional. Don’t start taking your piping apart yourself – you’ll wind up with flooding. 

Growling When You Turn On The Hot Water

If you’ve noticed a growling noise when you switch on the hot water in your home, you’re not alone. It is a plumbing problem that afflicts most homeowners at some point in their lives. 

The good news is that it doesn’t mean your plumbing is angry with you. Instead, it is usually a sign that there is a problem with your water heater. The thermostats in water heaters can sometimes go haywire, causing them to overheat the water. When this happens, they reach boiling point, creating bubbles of water vapor in the system. When you turn on the tap, these bubbles escape energetically, producing the noise that you hear. 

Growling is potentially a severe problem that could cause your water tank to explode. If you have this problem, leave your faucets running for ten minutes and turn off your boiler manually. 

Whistling When You Use The Shower Or Turn On A Faucet

Whistling sounds when you turn on your shower or faucet usually indicate an obstruction. It could mean that you have debris in the system or an issue with your ABS butterfly valve. Whatever the cause, the solution is relatively straightforward – replace the defective part. 

In some cases, whistling results from loose material inside the piping. As water rushes past, it creates a kind of howling sound. Usually, this kind of whistling is benign, but it is also annoying, so you may want to fix it anyway. 

If your toilet whistles after you flush it, then it is likely the result of limescale buildup. You can buy special products you add to your cistern that remove any residue naturally. 

Gurgling Sounds When You Empty The Bath

Hearing gurgling sounds when you empty the bath is another common plumbing annoyance, seemingly with no explanation. Again, it is not some spirit trapped in your piping – usually, it is a sign of a clog.

Most clogs in the bathroom result from hair traveling into the pipe and then becoming congealed with shower products. Typically, you wind up with a big, slimy lump of material. Eventually, this accumulates more debris and grows into a clog that blocks your pipes completely. 

Dealing with this issue is usually relatively straightforward. Either grab a plunger and try to dislodge it that way. Or use some drain unblocking fluid to dissolve and remove it. 

Dripping Sounds That Don’t Stop When You Turn Off The Faucet

Hearing dripping sounds when all your faucets are closed can be a little unnerving. Unfortunately, you can hear dripping for all kinds of reasons. If the dripping carries on regardless, then it could be a sign that your pipes are leaking. If that’s the case, seek professional assistance immediately. Leaving the problem unresolved could lead to severe water damage. 

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