|
UFO's and Car Safety
It is that time of year again when we pack up our families and cars and hit the road for summer vacations! Please take time out before you leave on these wonderful trips to fling potential UFO's and take care of your vehicles using these missions!
Our first step is to fling open the doors to our cars and just look. What do you see?
- Is it lined with fast food wrappers, dash board clutter?
- Have missing library books found their way to under the floor mats? (been there, done that!)
- Do you have bags of 27 fling boogie results waiting to go to goodwill?
- Do you use your backseat as a trunk, because the trunk is packed?
- Do you have UFO's (Untethered Flying Objects) in your car? (water bottles, kleenix boxes, books, cell phones, bowling balls, shoes, binders, dash board clutter?)
|
You are NOT alone!!
Let's take a few minutes to take care of our vehicles.
The lives of you and your family members may depend on it.
No more UFO's!
Use your timer and BabySteps, you will be amazed at what you accomplish - FlyCrew |
UFO Mission #1: Gathering all the trash
Take a trash bag out to your car, van, truck, whatever your family drives. Set your timer for 5 minutes. See how much trash you can pull out in just 5 minutes! Remember to look under your seats, and in the door pockets. Don't get sidetracked. This is not the time to detail or vacuum the interior...just toss, toss, toss! Happy tossing. Don't read any farther, just go, go, go!
UFO Mission #2: Gathering all the UFO's
Take another bag, or plastic tote out to your vehicle. Set your timer for 5 minutes. See how many UFO's (Untethered Flying Objects) you can pull out of the main part of your vehicle (not the trunk or glove compartment) in just 5 minutes! This means kid toys, sunglasses, coffee mugs, books, bags, shoes, sports equipment, boxes, arbors, bowling balls, typewriters, shovels, rakes, dishes, and any dashboard clutter. Even a bobbing head stuffed animal will hurt if it heads your child in the head at 20 miles per hour! Get it out of your vehicle and put it into your bag or tote. We are doing the trunk next!
UFO Mission #3: The trunk and behind the seats...
One of the reasons we SHE's have so many UFO's in the main part of the car is because the trunk is packed full of stuff. For this UFO mission, we are going to clear out the trunk (and behind the back seats if you drive a van). This will probably take longer than 15 minutes, so set your timer and do what you can. Then take a quick break, and do a little more. Remember, as you take things out of your trunk that don't belong, put them where they DO belong. This will save you making a big pile in the garage LOL! If you have time, do the same thing to your glove compartment too.
UFO Mission #4: Putting the essentials back into your vehicle...
Congratulations, you got rid of the trash and the UFO's! One of the questions we always get is "where do we keep things in the car so they do not become UFO's?" Your best bet is the trunk for large obects (shopping bags, boxes, and your winter gear), and the glove compartment for smaller items (garage door openers, sunglasses, cell phones, tissue box, etc). Remember to put the vehicle registration back! FlyLady drives an SUV, so she doesn't have a trunk. FlyLady uses a cargo net to contain her UFO's. Note: Thursday is errand day. On your next errand day, load up the 27 fling boogie stuff that goes to Goodwill and deliver it. This goes for returning those library books too LOL!
UFO Mission #5: Safety Check: This will only take 5 minutes!
When is the last time you checked some of the safety features of your vehicle? With another driver check the following:
- headlights - low beam and high beam
- right turning signal lights (check that it is working at the front and back of your vehicle)
- left turning signal lights (front and back)
- tail lights
- brake lights
- flashing hazard lights
- If you have child safety seats, check that all the seatbelts, and anchor belts are properly done up. It is amazing how often a toddler will accidently undo the seatbelt that holds the baby's carseat in! If you are not sure that your child's safety seat is installed correctly, contact your local fire department or ambulance, they often will conduct car seat safety checks. Also, here is a tip from a member: if your children use boosters seats, get them in the habit of doing the seatbelt up AFTER the trip is done. That way, if you go driving without the kids, the booster seat does not turn into a UFO!
UFO Mission #6: Getting ready for summer travel
Is your vehicle ready for summer travel? This is not something you want to procrastinate about. Set your timer for 5 minutes and book a few appointments....
- oil change
- summer tires
- brake check
- fluids check (oil, antifreeze, washer fluid)
- battery and ignition check
- Exhaust check
- Air Conditioner check
|
Be safe this summer! Do not take chances.
Wear your seatbelts.
Make sure your child safety seats are in good condition and fastened properly.
Do not drink and drive. |
Back
|
