Youi News!

Temporary Repairs for a Damaged Roof

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

If your roof is damaged in a storm, you may not be able to have a professional roofer come and fix it straight away. So, knowing how to make temporary repairs yourself can be a very useful skill.

Safety

Safety should be your first priority before contemplating doing anything to your roof. The last thing you want is to fall or drop something on someone below, so it pays to bear the following safety tips in mind:

• Make sure you have a sturdy ladder that reaches your roof, with several feet to spare. Anchor it firmly at the bottom on level ground and climb up or down it with both hands firmly on the rails.
• If you are taking tools and materials up onto the roof, make sure that they are securely stowed away from the edge.
• Wear sturdy boots with good grip and choose your footing carefully at all time, walking along joins, rather than on the roof itself.

Insurance

If your roof has been damaged due to a storm, bear in mind that you will be making a claim with your insurance company, so take photographs of the damage before undertaking any temporary repairs. Ideally, call your insurance company as soon as possible after the damage occurs, but if they are unable to send an assessor to look at it immediately and there is likely to be more bad weather, then you should proceed with your repairs.

Repairs

The repairs you are able to make will depend on the type of roof you have and the extent of the damage incurred.

The following are some general repair tips that may come in handy:

If the roof is leaking into the ceiling because of the damage, you will need to locate the wet patch and either access it via the man hole, or drill a small hole in the ceiling to prevent it from pooling and allow it to drain.
Roofing cement and putty can both be useful for a variety of repairs, but you must make sure the area is dry and clean before applying. A portable hair dryer can be useful in such situations.
If the damage is greater than a few missing tiles or shingles, you may need to apply a patch to the affected area. A square of plywood nailed over the hole can often keep the weather out until proper repairs can be made.
If the damage is extensive, you may need to abandon the idea of repairing it and cover it instead with a tarpaulin or plastic sheeting. Be sure to secure it firmly, particularly if more bad weather is expected.

Such temporary repairs are far from ideal, but in an emergency, they can help prevent secondary damage from occurring. Water damage can cause all sorts of problems with electrics and even structural integrity, so if it’s an emergency and there’s something you can safely do, then it could be in your best interests to give it a go.

Teaching a Learner Driver to Merge Correctly

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Teaching someone to drive is about more than teaching them the road rules. It involves giving them practical, hands-on experience in every aspect of driving. Merging in traffic is one such lesson that is better learnt through practice than theory.

The theory

There are two common types of merging. The rules applying to each depends on whether the road is marked or unmarked.

Marked – if the road is marked with lanes and your lane (usually the left lane) is coming to an end, then you must give way to traffic already in the other lane (the right lane). Usually the solid line between the lanes will become broken or dashed and there will often be a large arrow in your lane indicating that you must merge to the right. You must indicate, slow down and merge in behind the vehicle beside you.
Unmarked – if the road is unmarked and is narrowing, requiring traffic to merge, you must give way to the vehicle that is ahead of you. Even if they are only half a car length in front of you, you must slow down and merge behind them, as they have right of way. Similarly, any vehicle that is behind you must give way to you, allowing you to merge ahead of them. This called a zip merger.

The practice

Merging smoothly requires practice, so you should have your learner execute the manoeuvre as often as possible during your driving lessons. Hopefully, after doing it a number of times, it will become second nature to them and they will be able to merge safely without thinking about it.

One merging scenario that is a little more daunting for inexperienced drivers is merging onto freeways, where the traffic is travelling at much higher speeds. Freeway on-ramps are always marked clearly with dotted lines showing you that your lane ends and you must merge across into the nearest lane. On some freeways, your lane will continue for some distance, giving you plenty of time to execute your merge, but this is not always the case, so you need to be preparing to merge from the moment you drive up the on-ramp.

Traffic authorities recommend that drivers merging onto a freeway should build up speed on the on-ramp, so that they are travelling at a similar speed to those vehicles already on the freeway. This will allow them to merge more easily into a gap in the traffic. In most instances, drivers already on the freeway will adjust their speed or change lanes to allow merging vehicles to enter safely, but you can’t count on that always being the case and the responsibility is on the merging vehicle to do so safely.

Again, freeway merging is all about practice, so when you feel your learner has mastered the skill of merging on normal roads, have them enter and exit the freeway a few times to get used to high speed merging. An important point to get across to your learner is that they cannot rely on other motorists to always do the right thing, so they must learn to drive defensively when merging to allow for other road users’ mistakes and inconsistencies.

Dealing with a Fallen Tree in your Yard

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

One of the biggest problems after a storm is a fallen tree and if a large tree comes down on your property, you will need to know how to deal with it.

Safety

Before you do anything, make sure the area is safe. The tree may have brought down power lines, in which case you should not approach, but return to the house and call the emergency services or power company. If the tree has fallen on any buildings or vehicles, you should also act with extreme caution. Disconnect any power to affected buildings before investigating and do not walk under suspended tree limbs. Do not enter the building, other than to check whether anyone has been injured, as the building may be structurally unsound.

Insurance

If there has been any property damage as a result of the fall, you will need to contact your home insurance provider and report the incident. If you have a camera or a smart phone with a camera in it, take photographs of all damage, as these will help with your insurance claim.

Tree removal

When it comes time to remove the tree, you have two options; to do it yourself, or to hire a professional tree remover. If the tree is suspended in any way or not fully felled, then you must get a licensed tree remover to do the job. If it is fully on the ground and just needs chopping up, then you may opt to do it yourself.

Chainsaw safety

If you decide to cut up the tree yourself, make sure the chainsaw you use is properly maintained and in good working order. Whether you hire a chainsaw or use your own, the teeth should be sharpened correctly and it should be well greased and oiled. A chainsaw has the potential to cause serious harm if used incorrectly, so the following rules should always be observed:

Wear suitable protective clothing, so that your limbs are protected from flying chips and debris. Always wear a hard hat, ear muffs, gloves and eye protection and suitably sturdy footwear (preferably steel capped boots).
When operating the saw, avoid using the bar nose, as this often creates kickback when it encounters resistance. Always use both hands to cut, keep the saw in front of your body at all times and do not cut limbs above shoulder height.
When pruning branches or cross-cutting, make sure the limbs are not under tension. If they are, you will need to support their weight before cutting.
When refuelling a hot chainsaw, take care not to spill fuel on the body of the chainsaw, as it may start a fire. Make sure the chainsaw is fitted with a spark arrester for the same reason.

A fallen tree may be the result of strong winds or it may have contracted a disease and be dying. Either way, safety should be your number one priority when removing it, so if you are not confident about doing it yourself, you should always leave it to the experts.

Using Roundabouts the Right Way

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Roundabouts are a great way to keep traffic moving, but many people either find them intimidating or don’t know how to use them correctly. This article looks at the right way to use a roundabout, regardless of which direction you are coming from or which way you are turning.

Types of roundabouts

In Australia, there are two main types of roundabouts; single lane and double lane. Single lane roundabouts are often found in suburban side streets and are used to slow traffic down in built up areas. Double lane roundabouts are often at major intersections and allow many vehicles to turn in various directions, without having to sit at traffic lights. Multi-lane roundabouts also exist, but the same rules apply as on a double lane roundabout.

Roundabout rules

The first rule for both single and double lane roundabouts is that you must always give way to any vehicle already on the roundabout. Usually they will be approaching on your right, so remembering that you must always give way to your right can also help you observe this rule. Giving way means waiting until there is a sufficient gap in the traffic coming from the right to allow you to enter the roundabout safely. If you cut someone off when entering a roundabout, it is you who will be at fault, as the other vehicle has unconditional right of way.

The second rule that applies to both types of roundabouts is that you must always indicate left when exiting the roundabout. Wait until you have passed the exit just before where you wish to get off and then indicate your intention to turn off at the next exit. If you’re on a double lane roundabout, you would need to be in the left outer lane to exit left off the roundabout. If you are turning right, you need to be in the right inner lane, indicate right until you near your exit and then indicate left to exit. If you are going straight through the roundabout, you can use either lane, but you must still indicate left when you exit on the other side.

Roundabout etiquette

As well as observing the two main rules of roundabouts (give way to those on the roundabout and always indicate when you exit), there are several other things you need to be aware of including:

Cyclists – be particularly alert for cyclists, who will not be travelling as fast as you, but have the same rights on roundabouts as you do. Give them plenty of room if they are turning right on a roundabout and watch for their hand signals when exiting.
Trucks – long trucks require a wider turning circle when negotiating roundabouts, so back off and let them make the turn on their own, rather than pulling into the lane beside them, because they may run out of room and end up side swiping your vehicle.
Pedestrians – while pedestrians will not be crossing at roundabouts, they quite possibly will be at the exits on each side, so use caution and keep your eyes open as you leave the roundabout.

Using a roundabout need not be a daunting exercise. As long as you observe the rules and allow other drivers plenty of room for error, then negotiating roundabouts is just like any other aspect of driving, where caution and common sense are the key to road safety.

The Dangers of Water Leaking into your Home

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Leaking water can do a lot of damage to your home and cost you a lot of money in wasted water and repair bills. It can also put you and your family’s safety at risk.

Dangers of leaks

A water leak can happen at any time and sometimes the only way you find out about it is when your water bill arrives. In the meantime, it can be seeping into ceilings, floors and walls and creating dangerous damage behind the scenes. Dangers associated with water leaks include:

Electrocution – if water seeps into light fixtures or electrical outlets, it can make whole areas of your home ‘live’. It can also cause the power to short out, ruin appliances, start fires and even lead to the whole house having to be rewired.
Structural damage – if leaking water goes undetected for long periods of time, it could conceivably rot wood, including supporting beams and even undermine your foundations, which would be a very dangerous situation indeed.
Health risks – dark, wet areas attract mould, mildew and vermin, all of which can be very destructive and pose a serious health risk as well. Rats, mice and cockroaches spread diseases and mould and mildew in the air can cause bacterial infections.

Finding leaks

If your water bill is higher than usual and you suspect you have a leak, the best thing to do is take an inspection tour of your home. Places to check include:

Hot water system – if the pressure relief valve is plumbed directly into a drain, it may be leaking without you knowing.
Water meter – sometimes a leak can develop in the line between the meter and the house. If you shut off the valve at the house and the meter continues to run, there is definitely a leak in the line.
Pipes – if the leak is in your pipes, it will be harder to find. One way is to place the tip of a screwdriver on fittings such as hose bibs, taps and sinks and listen for any sound transmitted through the screwdriver (which acts like a crude stethoscope).
Miscellaneous – you should also check your roof for loose or missing tiles, look for faulty garden hoses, taps and reticulation systems and if you have a swimming pool, be sure to check that for leaks as well.

Leaks you can fix yourself

If the leak is coming from an obvious source such as a shower head, tap or leaky washing machine, you may be able to fix it yourself, but always remember to turn the water off first. If you aren’t confident enough to fix it yourself, you will need to call in a plumber, but if you can locate the leak first, this will save the plumber a lot of time and you a lot of money.

Leaks a plumber must fix

If a leak is inside a wall or underground, it should be left to a professional plumber. You could make the damage worse by cutting into walls and if the leak is in your back yard and you try and dig down to it, you could end up cutting through a utility line, which would be a very costly mistake.

Adjusting Your Mirrors Correctly Before Driving

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

How hard can it be to adjust your mirrors, I hear you ask? Why on earth would you devote an entire article to the subject? It’s hardly rocket science, after all! Well, it might surprise you to learn that most people adjust their mirrors incorrectly and actually create their own blind spots in the process.

Incorrect adjustment

Allow me to demonstrate. You get into the driver’s seat of your car and adjust your rear view mirror so that it gives you a clear view out of the back window, right? Correct. Now you either move your side mirrors by hand, or press a button to adjust them automatically and you move them to a position where you can just see a sliver of your vehicle in each mirror, right? Wrong. This is incorrect adjustment. It overlaps much of what you can see in your interior rear view mirror and effectively creates tunnel vision behind your vehicle.

Back in 1995, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published a paper arguing that mirrors adjusted in this way were creating dangerous blind spots for drivers and they recommended instead the use of BGE (Blind Spot and Glare Elimination) settings when adjusting your mirrors.

Correct adjustment

Here’s how BGE settings work. Get into your car and, instead of adjusting your mirror from the driver’s position, move your head into the centre of the car, so that it is directly above the centre console and then look over and adjust your passenger side mirror until just a sliver of the side of your vehicle is showing in it. Then place your face against the glass on the driver’s window and adjust the driver’s side mirror until the side of your vehicle is also just visible in it. Now, when you return your head to the normal driver’s position and look in your side mirrors, the sides of your vehicle are not visible in your mirrors and you are seeing a much wider view of what’s behind you instead.

It might all sound a bit weird, but it actually works, you now have a far wider coverage than before and there are no blind spots behind you. Your peripheral vision will show you any vehicles beside you and your side mirrors will now show you any vehicles to the left rear, where they normally would have been invisible, unless you physically turned your head around to look.

Glare elimination

The glare elimination aspect of BGE settings also works. Because your side mirrors are no longer focused narrowly behind you, much of the glare from the headlights of following vehicles will be reduced. You will still experience glare from your interior rear vision mirror though flipping it to the night vision setting can alleviate this.

Proponents of BGE mirror settings point out that, because we are so used to the security of seeing our own vehicle in our mirrors, such a readjustment will take most people a little getting used to. They recommend test-driving the settings in quiet neighbourhood streets until they become familiar, before heading out onto the open highway.

Possible Damage from a Leaking Shower

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Leaking shower recesses are one of the most common problems encountered by plumbers and unless the leak is detected early, the damage to surrounding areas in your home can be extensive and expensive.

Causes

The reasons showers leak are many and varied. They usually occur over time and can be caused by any of the following:

Structural movement of the house as it settles over time
Shrinkage of surrounding timber supports due to excessive moisture (wet areas in the centre of a house have higher moisture than those in perimeter areas)
Water getting in around the taps and tracking down behind the tiles
A poor seal between the shower head and the pipe nipple, resulting in water running down inside the wall
Poor seals around connections and junctions of internal piping
Insufficient adhesive applied to the backs of bathroom tiles, allowing water to track considerable distances
Excessive scrubbing of the shower recess, resulting in degradation of the grouting
The use of harsh cleaning products that attack the resins in fibreglass waterproofing.

Damage

The longer a leak is allowed to go unchecked, the greater the damage it will cause. As soon as a leak develops, the surrounding timbers become saturated, providing a perfect breeding ground for fungus and mildew, which begin to decay and weaken the timbers.

Additionally, the excessive moisture can attract wood eating pests such as termites, which, once established, can cause extensive damage to the timbers of your home.

Building regulations require a tray or waterproof membrane to be fitted under the floor of a shower to prevent leaks spreading, but if the leak is allowed to continue, this tray will eventually fill up and overflow, causing damage to the sub floor, the adjoining walls and, if the shower is located on an upper floor, untold damage to the lower levels of your home.

Clues

Evidence of a leak can be harder to find if it is inside the walls of your bathroom. Depending on how long it has been leaking, there may be a plume of dampness on the other side of the wall that will indicate a problem. Where it is located on the wall may also help to pinpoint the source of the leak (i.e. if it is higher up, then it may be coming from the area around the shower head, or if it is at waist height, it may be from around the taps).

Solutions

As with every problem, prevention is always better than cure, so rather than waiting for a leak to develop, you should have your plumbing, including your shower recess, regularly inspected by a qualified plumber. He can pressure test your pipes to make sure they are sealing under pressure, apply sealant to areas where possible leaks might occur and make recommendations on preventive plumbing maintenance,

You should also review your existing home insurance policy on the specifics it covers as some policies may not cover water damage from a leaking shower base or caused by a slow leak left unrepaired over time. So if you get all your best ideas in the shower, have a ‘Eureka’ moment next time you’re in there and add a plumbing inspection to your household To Do list.

Changing Lanes Safely

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Changing lanes is quite a complex process and can be a dangerous manoeuvre, if not executed properly. There are several steps involved in changing lanes and each should be observed in the correct order.

Mirrors

The first thing to do is check your mirrors. Pinpoint where other vehicles are behind you and beside you. Be careful, as side mirrors tend to exaggerate the distance back to the nearest following vehicle. Then turn your head and check your blind spot. This is the spot at the left rear of your vehicle where a car may not be visible in your mirrors.

Indicators

Once you have ascertained that there is room to pull out and that no vehicles are approaching in the lane you wish to enter, put your indicator on and leave it on through the entire manoeuvre. Many people have a bad habit of flicking their indicators on once or twice when changing lanes, but this may be missed by another driver, so it pays to leave your indicator on, so everyone around you is aware of what you intend to do.

Steering

Turn the wheel and make your way gradually over into the new lane. Do not jerk the wheel, as this reduces the car’s grip on the road and your control over it. Turn smoothly and position yourself in the new lane. Recheck your mirrors to make sure the situation behind you hasn’t changed. If you are changing lanes to get around a slower moving vehicle, accelerate slightly until you are a safe distance ahead and them indicate and turn smoothly into the gap in front of them.

When to change lanes

There may be several reasons why you need to change lanes. There may be a parked car in your lane, your lane may be ending, your exit may be coming up, or the vehicle in front of you may be travelling slower than the speed limit. Changing lanes is a perfectly acceptable practice and something we are all faced with from time to time.

When not to change lanes

Some people see changing lanes as a way to get in front of as many other cars as they can. This kind of weaving in and out through traffic is not an acceptable reason for changing lanes and results in numerous accidents on our streets and freeways.

You should never change lanes when approaching or in an intersection. Negotiating intersections is dangerous enough, without adding lane-changing vehicles to the mix. You should also never change lanes if a vehicle is approaching fast from behind, or if you can’t see clearly whether it is safe to do so.

Lane changes are only dangerous when they are made impulsively, such as to avoid being late for work, almost missing your freeway exit or due to anger at a slower driver.

Ideally, you won’t need to make a lot of unexpected lane changes on any one journey. If you’re driving in your local area, you probably know where you have to turn in advance and can position yourself in the correct lane long before the turn. Similarly, if you are travelling, you would hopefully have familiarised yourself with where you are going on maps or GPS and be aware, well in advance of where your exits are.

Disasters In the Face of DIY Renovations

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The whole point of DIY is to save money, but if you don’t think things through before you start, doing it yourself can turn out to be a costly nightmare.

Budget blowout

One of the biggest mistakes DIY renovators make is not allowing enough money for the job. As well as costing the materials, you have to budget for unplanned extra expenses (at least 20% more), because you can count on them to come up.

The consequences of a blown budget can include living in a building site for the next six months while you save the money to finish the job, or alternatively taking out a loan and paying professionals to finish it for you.

Insufficient skills

Before you start any project, you need to ask yourself whether you can actually do this yourself. Most DIY renovations require a broad skill set, including knowledge of carpentry, joinery, plastering, tiling, painting and bricklaying.

You can turn your project into a DIY disaster when attempting electrical work yourself without the required skills and therefore risk electrocution or causing a fire. Also dealing with materials such as asbestos, without the awareness of health risks involved, can prove to be very dangerous.

Learning as you go or doing a mediocre job will mean you end up with something that doesn’t look as good or function as well as it should and, in a worst case scenario, something that has to be torn down and done again from scratch.

No permits

Renovations of over $12,000 worth require you to be an Owner Builder and obtain a Certificate of Consent (COC) prior to carrying out any work as well as a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or a Construction Certificate from the council.

If you don’t notify your local council that you are renovating, or don’t obtain the correct permits, you can find yourself in a great deal of trouble. The council can issue on the spot fines, have the work stopped indefinitely and even require it to be demolished, so doing renovations on the sly is a recipe for financial disaster.

No insurance

An owner builder also needs the following insurances:

Workers Compensation Insurance to cover anyone who works on the renovation
Public Liability Insurance to cover any injuries incurred on the job
Alteration of your current house insurance policy to cover the changed circumstances
Insurance for any adjoining properties.

If you don’t have these insurances and something does happen to the renovations or to someone working on it, you could find yourself without home insurance cover, or being sued by someone for negligence.

The wrong order

Not scheduling jobs in the correct order can also lead to disaster. While it might seem obvious not to schedule new carpet to be laid before the drywall has been finished, some people still do things like this because they haven’t planned ahead sufficiently.

The weather is also an important factor to consider during renovations as some jobs and the overall order of the project can be affected. For example, you may need to get the roof on before you start doing interior work.

There are plenty of ways for a DIY renovator to shoot themselves in the foot and the best way to avoid such pitfalls is to sit down and plan everything (twice) before you lift a hammer or dip a brush in paint.

Spotting Troubles with Your Steering

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Most problems with a vehicle’s steering mechanism can be detected through the steering wheel itself. As a problem develops, it will usually give an early indication by the way the steering wheel behaves.

Such indications should not be ignored, as the faulty part will eventually fail and may cause an accident; one that may not be covered by your car insurance if you are seen to have been negligent by ignoring an obvious problem.

In order to know which part of the steering the problem is in, you first need to know how your car’s steering works.

How steering works

Almost all vehicles these days have power steering. It uses a rotary-vane pump, driven by a belt and pulley attached to your engine, to provide the hydraulic power for your steering.

The other main component is a rotary valve, which senses the force on the steering wheel when you turn it. It has a torsion bar which twists when you turn the steering wheel and applies torque to the pinion or worm gear.

In a rack and pinion steering system (the most common system), the pinion shaft is connected to the steering rack, where the teeth mesh together, so that when the steering wheel is turned, the pinion shifts the rack to move the wheels.

Spotting steering problems

If the steering wheel exhibits any of the following, you can be fairly sure there is a problem developing:

Difficulty in turning
Vibration
Wandering
Excessive play
Strange noises

Difficulty in turning

If the steering wheel seems hard to turn, this usually means there’s a problem with your power steering. Check the level in the fluid reservoir and look for leaks around the pump, hoses and steering rack.

Vibration

This can also be a power steering problem, indicating that there is a build-up of contaminants in the hydraulic system, which causes the wheel to pulsate when it is turned. If the vibration is excessive, it could also point to worn or faulty tie rods.

Wandering

If your car wanders or pulls to one side, this could mean that you have a worn steering gear. A common cause of such early wear is lack of lubrication, so have your power steering checked for leaks when you replace the steering gear.

Excessive play

If there is excessive play in the steering wheel (anything more than an inch or so, then this can also be an indication of a worn steering gear. If the wheel feels loose, it could also be a worn steering rack or tie rods and should be repaired as soon as possible.

Strange noises

If you hear a grinding noise when you turn the steering wheel, it could mean a problem with your steering gear. If the noise is more of a screech, this could indicate a worn power steering belt.

The steering is a crucial part of your vehicle and if it fails, the results can be disastrous. So if you suspect you have any of the above-mentioned problems, be sure to have them fixed by a qualified mechanic.

Electrical Problems at Home and Your Family's Safety

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Keeping your family safe at home is about making them aware of electrical problems that could occur and knowing what action to take if they do.

Electrical problems

Recognising the signs and acting promptly can stop a minor problem from becoming a life-threatening emergency. Electrical problems around the home can include:

Faulty appliances – kettles, toasters, heaters and blenders all wear out, so they should be replaced immediately if they start making unusual noises, stop working, smell of burning or have cords that are frayed or broken. You should never attempt to repair them yourself.
Overloaded power boards – we all use power boards and double adapters to run our appliances, but these should never be overloaded, as they can start fires, which under such circumstances, may not be covered by your house insurance. Only plug in as many cords as there are sockets for on a power board (i.e. don’t use double adapters on them).
Wet surfaces – water and electricity don’t mix and appliances such as stereos should be kept well away from swimming pools, hair dryers and shavers should be unplugged after use and placed away from basins and bathtubs.
Overhead power lines – we need to be aware of these at all times. If your boat has a high mast, look up before reversing down the driveway. If your child has a kite, make sure they don’t fly it near power lines. And if power lines come down after a storm, do not go outside, but call the emergency services immediately.

Electrocution

If someone is electrocuted, it is vital that you know what to do, as it could save a life. The first rule is NOT to touch them until the power source has been turned off, or you may also be electrocuted. A broom handle or other non-conductive item can be used to push the person away from the source of electricity.

Once the area is safe, you need to call 000, check to see if the person has a pulse and whether they are breathing. If they are not breathing, then commence CPR immediately (at least 100 compressions per minute). If they are breathing, make them comfortable and wait for the ambulance. Do not give them anything to drink nor try to dress their burns.

Education

Statistics from medical and home insurance organisations show that around a quarter of all electrical accidents in the home happen to children, so it is very important to educate your kids about electricity and the dangers involved.

Among other things, they should be taught never to poke anything into a toaster or an electrical outlet and never to touch any electrical switch or appliance with wet hands.

If they are very young children, you should place childproof covers on all electrical outlets (a few dollars each at any hardware store) and keep electrical items safely out of their reach.

And for complete peace of mind, consider having a residual current device (RCD) installed by an electrician. In the event of electrocution this device cuts the power in a fraction of a second and could save someone’s life.

Preparing Your Car for a Learner Driver

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Teaching someone to drive involves preparing both your vehicle and your student long before they turn on the ignition.

Road rules

The first part of that preparation is learning the road rules, which learner drivers must do to get their learner’s permit. Once they have acquired this permit, quiz them to make sure they are thoroughly familiar with the material.

Insurance

As long as learner drivers are accompanied by a licensed driver, learners are usually covered automatically on your auto insurance. Policies differ, however, so if your student is a family member and you plan to provide them with a number of lessons, it may be advisable for you to contact your car insurance provider and have them added to your policy, if required.

L plates

The first step in preparing for a driving lesson is to attach L plates to the front and rear of your vehicle. These can be the magnetic kind that adhere to the bodywork or the kind you place in the front and rear windows. The important thing is that they should be clearly seen by other drivers.

Adjustments

Everyone is different, so when your student is seated in the driver’s seat, have them adjust the seat until it is comfortable for them. The seat should be forward enough for their feet to easily reach the pedals and it should be in a predominantly upright position, so that their head and neck are supported.

Have them adjust their rear view and side mirrors so they can see clearly behind them and have them put on their seat belt and adjust it if necessary. Some people are shorter than others and seat belts can often be adjusted to prevent them from chaffing your neck.

Controls

If this is your student’s first time behind the wheel, you need to thoroughly familiarise them with the vehicle’s controls. Point out windscreen wipers, indicators, heater, demister, horn and headlights, as they will need to be able to operate them while driving.

If it is a manual vehicle, show them the gear pattern and have them practise the action (making sure the handbrake is on). If it is an automatic, show them where park, drive and reverse are all located.

Gauges

By turning on the ignition key far enough to activate the gauges without actually starting the engine, you can point out the speedometer, the temperature, the fuel and oil pressure gauges to the learner driver, as well as the various warning lights that most modern vehicles have indicating improperly closed doors or unfastened seat belts.

Explain that they need to keep an eye on their gauges, checking the radiator coolant level if the temperature gauge rises above normal and putting fuel in the tank if the fuel gauge drops below about a quarter.

Start up drill

Finally, when you believe your student is ready, have them go through the start up procedure as follows:

Check that the handbrake is on.
Check that the transmission is in neutral or park.
Switch on the ignition.
Let the engine warm up for a minute or so.
Check mirrors.
Check gauges.

Then have them release the handbrake, put the vehicle in gear and accelerate smoothly into their driving career.

Securing Your Home After Storm Damage

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The aftermath of a severe storm can resemble a battlefield, with trees down, houses unroofed and debris everywhere. Cleaning up and making your home secure once a storm has passed is crucial to avoid further damage and the following are some tips that can make the process a little easier.

Safety

Making sure you and your family are safe is your first priority after a storm. Check that everyone is accounted for and that no one is injured. Put on boots and protective clothing before you venture out and scour the immediate area for dangers, which can include:

Fallen or hanging power lines - if discovered, stay well clear and call emergency services.
Pests such as snakes, spiders, rats and mice, which have been driven from their homes – avoid if possible and arm yourself with a stout pole.
Fallen trees and branches – do not approach or walk under any trees, as there may be further falls after the storm.

Inspection

Once you are sure it is safe to do so, conduct an inspection of the outside of your home and record any damage you can see. If you have a camera or a smart phone, take pictures of all damage, as these will help when you make a claim on your house insurance.

When you have completed the inspection of the outside area, examine the inside of your home, paying particular attention to walls and ceilings. If the storm was severe, there may be structural damage, or if rain has found its way into the roof, your ceilings may have suffered water damage. Again, take photographs of any damage you find.

Reporting

The next step is to contact your home insurance provider. This may have to wait until after emergency services have attended if the damage to your home is severe, or if phone lines are down or congested. However, do contact them as soon as you possibly can, as they will need to send an assessor to make a report.

Security

If there are any broken doors or windows, you will need to secure them, as even in a disaster, there are those who may take advantage of such a situation to break in. Also beware of those who come to your door offering to do repair work, as they may be scammers rather than genuine repairers.

Survival

Depending on how severe the storm was, you may not receive any assistance for a period of hours or even days in extreme cases, so you need to be aware of the following things:

Do not drink water directly from the tap, as it may be contaminated due to flood damage. Boil it first or use bottled supplies.
If the power is out and you have a gas grill or portable barbeque to cook on, do not use it inside your home or in a confined space.
Listen to your local radio station, which will be your best source of information regarding the clean up and rescue situation.
Above all, don’t panic. You have survived the storm and help will soon be on the way.

Avoiding Dangerous Parking Spots

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Car insurance companies calculate your premium by starting with a base rate that applies to all drivers and then adding to it or subtracting from it, depending on your individual circumstances. As well as your age and driving history, they factor in things such as the type of vehicle you drive and where that vehicle is parked.

Street parking is obviously more dangerous than parking in a locked garage. And some streets are more dangerous in terms of vandalism or car theft than others. If your vehicle is parked on the street, it is also more likely to be hit by another car. So, by and large, people who park their cars on the street are going to pay more for their auto insurance.

Avoiding dangers to your car

So how do you avoid dangerous parking spots? Well, if you park on the street because there’s no off-street parking where you live, then you probably can’t. But there are some things you can do to avoid dangerous parking spots in general, including:

Do not park within ten feet of an intersection (a vehicle may clip you as it turns the corner).
Do not park too close behind trucks or caravans (if they don’t see you in their rear vision mirrors, they may reverse into you).
Do not park on highway shoulders, unless it is an emergency (particularly at night).
Never double park (may cause an accident that will not be covered by your insurance).
Always lock your doors (many car thefts are carried out on impulse and an unlocked door or keys in the ignition is an open invitation).

Avoiding personal dangers

Parking spots can be dangerous in other ways too. Public car parks are notorious for assaults, particularly on women, and where you park your car in these places can be very important. Ways to reduce the likelihood of being assaulted in a public car park include:

Always parking in well-lit areas close to entrances and exits.
Only frequenting car parks with onsite attendants.
Parking near CCTV cameras.
Reversing your vehicle into a parking space to allow for a fast exit if necessary.
Walking to your car with a friend or work colleague.
Carrying your car keys in your hand and getting into your car as quickly as possible.
Not parking near suspicious looking vans or vehicles with heavily tinted windows.

Other dangers

There are some other parking spots that, while unusual, are still every bit as dangerous. These include:

Near a storm water drain during a rain storm (a car can be swept away in just two feet of water).
Near the scene of an accident (many secondary accidents occur in this way).
Near road works (not only can the use of heavy machinery cause damage to surrounding parked cars, but if the driver’s visibility is restricted, he could run into or over your car).

Where you park has a whole range of implications for your personal safety, for the safety of your car and for how much you pay to insure it. So before you swing into that loading zone to pop into the shops, take a moment to think about what could happen and then find a safe park instead.

Responding to a Burglary at Home

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

When your house is burgled, you experience all sorts of emotions from fear and anger to a sense of violation and helplessness. You are also likely to be in a mild state of shock, so it’s important to know what to do when responding to such a traumatic event.

Discovery

If you come home and discover your house has been burgled, the first thing to think of is your own safety. If you find the front door open or a window shattered, do not enter the house. Go to a neighbour’s house, or return to your car and call the police on your mobile phone.

The burglars may still be on the premises and you don’t want to confront them. For all you know, they may have a weapon and no personal possessions are worth risking your life for.

If you come home to see an intruder leaving your house, pay careful attention to their appearance and if they leave in a vehicle, write down the license number. Again, do not approach them or try to stop them from leaving.

Analysis

If the burglar has gone, do not touch anything until the police arrive, as there may be fingerprints or other forensic evidence they will want to examine.

You will need to fill out an incident report and determine what has been taken in the burglary. You will also need to contact your home insurance provider and report a claim for the burglary. They will want to see the incident report and will usually send an assessor to your home.

If the stolen items include credit cards, driver’s license or other items that could be used to steal your identity, you will also need to call the respective issuers to have these cancelled straight away.

Review

When the police have left, go and talk to your immediate neighbours to find out if they saw or heard anything suspicious. Even if they didn’t, alerting them to the burglary will ensure they keep an eye out in the future.

Determine where the intruder gained entry. This may be obvious, or it may have been told to you by the police, but the point of entry will need to be secured immediately. If a broken lock or smashed window is involved, call and arrange for someone to come and repair it.

It is at this point that many people realise their security is inadequate and take steps to improve it. This will not only reduce the likelihood of a repeat burglary and give you some peace of mind, but it may help reduce your house insurance premiums as well.

Recovery

It takes some people longer to get over a burglary than others. Eventually the feelings of loss and violation will fade for most people, especially if your belongings are recovered in the meantime. This is not always the case, however, and if you or any of your family members are experiencing continued anxiety after a burglary, you should consider consulting a therapist or your family doctor. There are also support groups available to offer assistance.

Dealing with a Road Rage Incident

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Road rage is a relatively recent phenomenon, which seems to have escalated along with the growing traffic congestion on our roads.

The medical term for road rage is Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), which is characterised by outbursts of violent rage far out of proportion to the situation at hand.

Most of us have experienced or witnessed an act of road rage at some time in our driving careers, whether it’s two drivers yelling at each other at the traffic lights or someone cutting you off and then giving you the one-fingered salute when you honk at them.

But road rage can be far worse than this, with actual violence and even murder resulting, as in some instances in the USA, where weapons were involved.

If you encounter road rage

If you find yourself in a situation where another driver is angry with you, whether rightly or wrongly, you need to think before you react. Regardless of whose fault the incident was that triggered their anger, if you respond in kind, then the situation is very likely to escalate into something worse.

If the person rolls down their window and shouts abuse at you, ignore them. If they get out of their car and walk towards you, do not do the same. If the person causes damage to your car in an attempt to get you to open your door, keep it locked. Write down their license plate number, because it will be their car insurance that could end up paying for any damage.

If you drive on and the person begins to follow you, continue driving. Do not pull off into a side street. Stay in well-lit, populated areas and if they continue to stalk you, call 000 on your mobile. Let them see you making the call, because this is often enough to make them think twice and leave.

If they do not leave, try and find a busy public car park and if they pull in behind you, start honking your horn and flashing your lights to attract the attention of passers-by. Should all of these actions fail to deter them, drive to the nearest police station for assistance.

Avoiding road rage

According to research by police and auto insurance groups, the incidents that trigger road rage usually involve bad driving by one or both drivers, so improving your driving habits and driving defensively can help you to avoid many of these situations. When driving:

Do not follow the car ahead too closely, as your reaction time is significantly reduced.
Indicate clearly and allow plenty of room before changing lanes in front of other drivers.
Do not lane hop or overtake excessively, in the mistaken belief that you will get there before anyone else.
If someone cuts you off, don’t honk your horn or flip them off. Take a deep breath and adjust your distance accordingly.
If someone is tailgating you, slow down and let them pass you.
If someone is driving slower than you are, follow that car at the correct distance and then overtake when it is safe to do so.

Adding Home Value through Security

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

With burglaries now commonplace, many home buyers are starting to look at the security features of a home as well as its aesthetic appeal.

So improving your home’s security is not only a good way to reduce your house insurance premiums, it is also a great way to add value to your home.

Screens

A simple and relatively low cost way to improve security is to install security screens on your doors and windows. If the area you live in is prone to hot summers, then being able to leave your doors and windows open at night is a big bonus.

Today’s security screens are made from steel mesh that’s tough enough to resist all but the most determined intruders, yet they come in a range of styles and colours that can blend in with and even enhance your home’s curb appeal.

Doors

Many intruders enter through front doors that are poorly constructed and easily forced open. They are often made from cheap pine and have no reinforcing around the doorjamb. Installing a solid wooden door will not only make an imposing entrance, but also deter unwanted visitors.

Windows

There are a variety of different window fixtures that can provide additional security, while also adding to your home’s appearance.

Modern shutters are very sturdily constructed, making them both weather and burglar-resistant. They also reduce noise and improve energy efficiency and can provide an appealing contrast to your home’s colour scheme when installed on every window.

Grilles are also not what they used to be. Modern window grilles now provide rock-solid window protection in a range of elegant designs. It is important however, to ensure they have quick release latches on the inside to enable escape during a fire.

Fences

A fence defines the boundaries of your property, which is a visual deterrent in itself. It is a home’s first line of defence and can be low and elegant, while still keeping unwanted visitors out of your yard.

A more serious boundary can be created by putting up a stone wall, perhaps even covering it with ivy, but it is important not to make it too high, otherwise it will become a potential hiding place for intruders.

It is not unheard of for burglars to park their vans or trucks in the driveway of a house, in the guise or removalists or tradespeople, so having a lockable gate is also a good security feature.

Alarms

A more unobtrusive way of strengthening home security is to install a burglar alarm. This may earn you a discount on your home insurance and can be almost undetectable when professionally installed.

Burglar alarms can be hard-wired into walls, which is a more expensive option or, thanks to wireless technology, you can simply place detectors in strategic positions around your home.

While adding security features can involve some initial expense, this is more than compensated for by the fact that you are adding real value to your home and making it more attractive to potential buyers, if and when you decide to sell.

Treating Signs of Engine Wear

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

It has been estimated by motoring bodies and car insurance companies that roughly three quarters of all engine wear is due to contamination. This is caused by dirt entering the engine and making contact with moving parts such as bearings and pistons, which causes them to wear.

While you can treat some of the signs of engine wear, there will inevitably come a time when the deterioration becomes too great and you will need to either sell the car or have a new or reconditioned engine fitted.

Signs of engine wear

The most common sign of engine wear is when you start to notice you are using more oil. Excessive oil consumption can be due to leaks in gaskets and seals, or it can be due to worn piston rings, which allow oil to be burnt in the cylinders along with the fuel in a phenomenon called ‘blow-by’. Smoke from the exhaust, particularly at start up, is the most obvious sign of burning oil.

Other indicators of engine wear include knocking sounds and evidence of metal shavings in the oil, both of which are common signs of worn bearings.

Treatment of engine wear

While you can’t reverse engine wear, if you can’t afford a new engine, there are some things you can do to slow the process:

Have your car serviced more often, including an oil change and replacement of all filters.
Use good quality filters from reputable manufacturers, rather than generic filters.
Start using a thicker engine oil, which will provide more lubrication of worn parts.
Use an anti-wear additive (there are many on the market).

Prevention of engine wear

Obviously preventing engine wear is preferable to treating it and there are some simple things you can do to reduce wear in your engine:

As poor maintenance is the number one cause of engine wear, have your car serviced at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals and change all filters and lubricants regularly. Regular maintenance is a requirement of the warranty on your car, however, you should review your auto insurance policy as to what falls under its cover.
Research has shown that up to 75% of engine wear occurs at start up, because there is no oil pressure and thus no lubricating oil film. Consider installing a ‘prelube’ system, which uses a pump to create oil pressure prior to start up.

Results of engine wear

Eventually there will come a time when your vehicle is clearly exhibiting the signs of engine wear (smoke, noises, oil consumption etc) and will require a replacement engine.

Whether you go down this road or choose to get rid of the car will depend on your budget, but if it is a familiar friend that you can’t bear to part with, then an engine rebuild would be your best bet.

This involves removing the ‘short block’ or lower half of the engine and sending it to a machine shop, where it is disassembled and reconditioned, usually involving machining of the cylinders and replacement of piston rings and bearings.

Everything wears out, including human beings, but just as we can slow the deterioration of our bodies through exercise and a healthy diet, so looking after your vehicle can slow the wear and tear that is a normal part of its life.

Keeping Your Home Safe During Bushfire Season

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In Australia, bushfires can be the price we pay for living alongside nature, but while we often can’t prevent bushfires, we can take certain precautions during the fire season to ensure our home and family are as safe as possible.

Fire breaks

If you live on a rural property, fire breaks are essential, not only to slow the spread of low-intensity bushfires, but also to provide access when fighting the fire or back burning.

Fire breaks need to be at least ten feet wide and extend around the perimeters of your property, particularly near heavily-tread areas. Natural fire breaks such as roads, tracks, railway lines, creeks, dams and rivers can all be incorporated into your fire protection plan.

Fire breaks can be created by grazing livestock, slashing, mowing, ploughing, burning off or spraying with herbicides, but whatever method you use, they must be regularly maintained throughout the year to remain effective.

Around your home

Apart from making sure your house and contents insurance is up to date, there are several other things you can do to protect your home from the threat of bushfire:

Clean your roof and gutters regularly and install fire-resistant mesh on your gutters to counter ember attack
Remove any fuel sources from around your yard, such as long grass, leaves and overhanging tree branches
Create low-fuel areas such as mowed lawns and gardens for at least 60 feet around your home and outbuildings
Store chemicals and combustible materials away from your house
Install stainless steel fine-mesh screens on all doors and windows
Install a sprinkler system that directs water onto your roof, to douse flying embers
Monitor hay stack temperature regularly to guard against self-combustion.

Machinery

Farm machinery is a particular risk during the fire season. Many fires have been started inadvertently by sparks from welding equipment, grinders, harvesters and tractors and by farm vehicles travelling across dry paddocks without adequate spark arresters on their exhaust systems.

On days of high fire danger or strong winds, you should avoid using farm machinery wherever possible. You should also regularly clean and service all machinery to prevent the possibility of overheating, paying particularly attention to exhaust systems, bearings and brakes.

Emergency plan

In the event of a bushfire, you should have a fire emergency plan, where every family member knows their role. Children should be responsible for tasks such as rounding up pets, or if they are away from home when the bushfire strikes, knowing where they must go to be safe.

If you have livestock, you should create safe, low-fuel areas where they can be taken, such as fallow paddocks, irrigated pastures or raceways. Make sure they have sufficient shade and water.

You should also have suitable fire fighting equipment on hand to protect your home and property. This can include non-flammable, long-sleeved protective clothing, hoses, knapsack-sprayers and a petrol-driven pump that can draw water from your tank, dam or swimming pool.

Bushfire is part of the Australian landscape and the best home insurance policy you can have is to be prepared when the fire season inevitably rolls around.

Creating a Car Safety Checklist

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In most states of Australia, if you want to register a vehicle, you must have it inspected at a licensed safety inspection station. The inspector examines the safety aspects of the vehicle and rates them against a checklist of minimum required safety standards.

If your vehicle is already registered, but you want to make it as safe as possible, you can use such inspection criteria to create your own car safety checklist and examine and rectify any issues that you come across or, as in some cases may be necessary, have any concerns checked by a professional car mechanic.

Tyres

Tyres are one of the first things an inspector will look at. They are the only thing between you and the road, so they need to be maintained in good condition at all times.

It is always good practice to regularly check the tire pressure, the tread depth of your tyres, as well as ensuring tyre size for your car is correct.

To determine whether your tyre tread is not less than the required 1.6mm, make sure you check your tyres across the whole face of the tyre and not just the part of the tyre you can see. By having your wheel turned at full lock or by checking the tyres when your car is up on a hoist, you will be able to see whether your tyres have worn on the inside as well, often caused by poor wheel alignment. Be sure to check your spare tyre as well.

If the size of your tyres is incorrect, they could fall off the rim so make sure you check the tyre placard that states the range of sizes that can be used for your car.

By rotating your tyres (front to back and left to right) every 10,000kms, the wear is evenly distributed and the tyres will last a lot longer.

If you have an accident caused by worn tyres, incorrectly inflated tyres or wrongly sized tyres, your car insurance policy may not cover you, so there is a good financial incentive for keeping your tyres in good condition.

Brakes

Brakes are another safety item that is high on an inspector’s list. Most cars weigh more than a ton, so it is vital that you have the required stopping power in an emergency.

Tell-tale signs that your brakes may not be safe include any noises you may hear when the brakes are applied, such as squealing, grinding or scraping. Also, if you feel a vibration in the brake pedal or if it feels spongy and less resistant under foot, this usually indicates a problem.

Unless you are a mechanic or have experience in this area, brakes should be repaired or replaced by a qualified fitter.

Steering

Another important safety feature that a vehicle inspector will check is your steering. If your steering exhibits any of the following symptoms, you should have it looked at as soon as possible:

Vibration or difficulty turning – if you have power steering, this could be a fluid problem.
Looseness – usually caused by worn steering racks and tie rods.
Wandering – often an indication of a worn steering gear.
Screeching noise when turning – often caused by a loose or worn power steering belt.

Lights and indicators

Basic light and indicator safety features are easy to check, although you will need assistance from another person standing outside the vehicle to check that the indicators are all working.

Lights may require adjustment, which can be done by parking the vehicle with its headlights shining on a mark made on a vertical surface and then raising or lowering the headlight adjustors to the required level. Again, if you don’t feel confident enough to do this yourself, you should have a mechanic do it for you.

It’s important to remember that, while a safety checklist is a good idea, it should not take the place of a full service. Your car should be serviced at least every 10,000 kilometres and a full service will include a comprehensive safety check. It’s well worth the money and may be required by your auto insurance policy as well.

Using Your Smartphone for Home Security

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Smartphone technology is revolutionising many areas of daily life and now home security is getting smarter as well, with a myriad of apps appearing on the market that allow you to control and monitor your home from your smartphone.

Better security means greater peace of mind, as well as lower house insurance premiums, so let’s take a look at some of the mobile security options that are now available to smartphone users.

Surveillance

When used with a webcam or surveillance camera, the following apps allow you to monitor your home wherever you are.

WeMo Baby - turns a smartphone into a digital baby monitor. A wi-fi baby monitor placed in a child’s room and an iOS app on your smartphone transmits high quality audio to your phone wherever you are.
Digital Wireless Video Baby Camera – lets you see and hear your baby in real-time wherever you are. This device also allows you to download pictures and videos of your baby to your phone and save them or share them with loved ones.
Pet tracker - simply attach a device to your pet’s collar and if it wanders off, you can track it by GPS on your smartphone. Other pet trackers use early warning devices that email you when your pet wanders outside a designated area such as your yard.
NetCam Wi-Fi Camera – allows you to monitor your home remotely. The camera has a wide-angle lens, digital audio recording and infrared night vision. The free app allows you to monitor the camera live and save video on your smartphone and the NetCam can be programmed to take still shots if movement is detected and transmit email alerts.

Security

While some devices allow you to remotely monitor your home, others can play a more active role in keeping you and your family safe.

Wireless Light Dimmer – this device allows you to control your home’s lighting remotely from a smartphone. Turn the lights on before you get home, or set the device to automatically activate them at sunset, to give the appearance that your home is occupied.
Guardly mobile security app – this app turns your smartphone into a personal alarm, allowing you to contact up to 15 different phone numbers with the touch of a button. It also lets you call emergency numbers with fewer keystrokes.
NextAlarm broadband adapter – allows you to arm and disarm your home alarm system remotely, using a free app on your smartphone. Just type in your security code and you’ll receive an email confirmation that your system has been armed or disarmed.
ShareKey - a house key app being developed that will allow you to wave your smartphone at your front door to unlock it. You will also be able to electronically share keys with family, house guests or trusted tradespeople and to control the amount of time that access is available. The app also has applications for business, such as controlling employee access after hours.

According to research by crime prevention bodies and the home insurance industry, homes without adequate security systems are up to 300% more likely to be burgled, so going remote would seem to be the next logical step in the search for ever better home security options.

Mobile Security for Your Car

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Car security has come a long way from the humble steering wheel lock. It is now much more sophisticated, with a large range of options available, In this article we will look at a few of these and the pros and cons of each.

Locking devices

Steering wheel locks have been around for a long time. When car alarms were only for the rich, many had a ‘club’ that they kept on the floor of their car.

The club is basically a steel bar that locks across the steering wheel, making it impossible to turn without breaking the windscreen. While such devices have locks that are easy to pick and can be removed with a pair of bolt cutters, they do provide a visible deterrent to would-be thieves who don’t want to attract attention.

The main drawback with steering wheel locks is their inconvenience. Having to store them in the foot well, drag them out and lock them in place and then repeat the process when you return to your car, simply puts a lot of people off using them.

Alarms

Car alarms are available in a huge range of brands and types and choosing one that works properly and is worth the considerable outlay can be a difficult job.

Having the system correctly installed is often the key, because if they are too sensitive they will go off randomly day or night, which is their main drawback.

People have become so used to hearing car alarms screaming unnecessarily that research by police and car insurance companies has found that most people now usually ignore them and consider them more of an annoyance than a deterrent.

Immobilisers

These are electronic devices that prevent the car’s engine from starting by shutting down the fuel and ignition systems. They can only be unlocked using the correct key, which is usually in the form of a remote device built into the key.

Immobilisers have been found to be more effective than most other car security devices and are now fitted as standard in most new vehicles.

While they won’t prevent the theft of items from your car’s interior such as sound- and GPS equipment, they will prevent the theft of your car itself, unless the thief is a skilled professional.

GPS trackers

GPS trackers have been around in the US for some time and they are now starting to become more popular in Australia as well.

They work by tracking a device in your car that gives off a signal picked up by a satellite. If your car is stolen and you report it to a monitoring service such as Toyota Link, they are able to track the vehicle’s movements and report its location to the police.

The main drawback of such devices is that they don’t prevent the theft in the first place, but merely improve your chances of recovering your vehicle after it has been stolen.

A vehicle is stolen every ten minutes somewhere in Australia, so using one or more of the devices described here is not only a good idea for reducing your auto insurance premiums, but may help to prevent you from becoming the next statistic as well.

Storing Your Security Camera Footage

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

One of the best forms of home security you can have is camera surveillance. It provides valuable police evidence if you are ever burgled and can earn you a discount on your house insurance premiums.

The main problem with surveillance is that if you do it 24/7, the amount of footage can really add up, so having an efficient means of storing it becomes very important.

DVRs

Since the demise of VHS, DVRs have become the normal way to store video footage. A DVR (digital video recorder) is a stand-alone unit that records and stores the footage from your security camera.

It is normal practice to store footage for several months and VHS tapes were a cumbersome and impractical way to do it. DVRs, on the other hand, can store as much as 500GB, which equates to over 300 hours of continuous video recording, which can then be backed up via USB onto a disk or hard drive.

DVRs also feature multi-channel support, real-time monitoring and motion-triggered recording and a DVR kit comprising DVR, monitor and cameras is a popular choice for home owners everywhere who require security on a budget.

Unfortunately, criminal and home insurance statistics reveal that intruders often steal or destroy surveillance systems unless they are very well hidden. If this occurs, then along with losing your equipment, you will also lose any footage of the intruder in the act and thus any evidence that might have been used to prosecute him at a later date.

IP cameras

IP (internet protocol) cameras are becoming a popular alternative to DVR security systems. An IP camera records video and then sends it digitally over the internet to a network or cloud-based storage location.

So even if the intruder destroys the camera, the footage has already been sent to its destination beyond the intruder’s reach and he will be squarely in the frame when it is reviewed later by the police.

Other advantages of IP cameras include their higher image resolution, making for better suspect identification and their remote accessibility, allowing you to review your footage from any computer or smartphone.

On the downside, if your footage is sent over the internet, it is not secure and could be corrupted, hacked or lost. For this reason, those who use IP cameras often opt for SD (secure digital) card storage as a backup to network or cloud-based storage.

An SD card is a tiny flash card the size of a postage stamp which allows for fast data transfer and low battery consumption. An SD card is also very resilient (has a shock rating of 2,000 Gs), so unless intruders knows what they are doing, smashing the IP camera may not destroy the SD card inside it.

If you review your security camera footage every few weeks, then you may not need to keep it as long and would therefore require less storage capacity for it. However, if you don’t have time or only review footage if there is an incident, then a DVR or IP camera would definitely be your best solution.

Have Road Safety Campaigns Improved Our Roads?

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

There’s an old saying that the most dangerous part of a motor car is the nut behind the wheel and this has been the focus of road safety campaigns since the invention of the automobile: trying to educate people to improve their driving habits.

While research by road traffic and auto insurance bodies tells us that most accidents are the result of driver error, our attempts to change driver behaviour have been largely unsuccessful.

Education

As the carnage on our roads continues, we have tried shock tactics in which TV commercials depict realistic crash scenarios, but these tend not to work because we either avoid watching them or don’t identify with the victims because we consider ourselves to be bulletproof.

We have also attempted educational campaigns involving driver training, particularly at school age, but research by motoring bodies and car insurance companies has found that the rate of accidents amongst young males who have had driver training, is actually often higher than those without driver training.

One explanation for this is that those who have been taught advanced driving skills tend to take more risks as a result and, therefore, think they will be able to handle any situation. The same was found to be true of race car drivers, who also had higher accident rates when driving on public roads.

The issue seems to be that we don’t consider ourselves to be the problem. A number of driver surveys have been conducted over the years and they have all found that people don’t see themselves as being bad drivers.

Some consider their skills to be above average, most rate them as average, but none consider their driving skills to be below average. It is always other people who need to be educated, which is why driver education campaigns are largely ineffective.

Enforcement

The only time road safety campaigns have had any measure of success is when they were accompanied by strong enforcement practices and strict legislation.

When seat belt use was first made compulsory in Victoria in 1970, only 25% of Victorian drivers were actually wearing their seat belts. After an education campaign accompanied by the introduction of the new law and visible police enforcement of it, that number jumped to 75% virtually overnight.

Similarly, when education campaigns were failing to convince drivers to wear their seat belts in Canada in 1994, authorities introduced licence demerit points to the law and seat belt usage shot up to 94%, where it has remained ever since.

This clearly shows that education needs to be accompanied by legislation and enforcement, so that drivers come to perceive the risk of being caught as too high and consequently change their behaviour.

While there has been a general downward trend worldwide in the number of people being killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents, this is not so much the result of road safety education campaigns as a combination of factors such as better roads, cars with more safety features, stronger laws and stricter enforcement of those laws.

While education campaigns have their place, they need to be seen for what they are; just one ingredient in a larger formula for improving safety on our roads.

Adding the Right Fire Extinguishers to Your Home

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

If a fire breaks out in your home, you would obviously call the fire brigade, but in the time it takes for them to arrive, the fire could easily spread to the point where your house will be lost. Having a fire extinguisher on hand could make all the difference, if you can control the seat of the fire before it has a chance to spread.

Types of fire extinguishers

In order to determine what sort of fire extinguishers you should have in your home, you need to know the different types or classes of fire.

Class A -- used for paper, wood, cloth, plastic, rubber and textiles
Class B -- involves flammable and combustible liquids like grease, oil, petrol and paint
Class E -- involves electrical equipment.

Class-A fires should be extinguished with a water extinguisher, which contains pressurised water that shoots out a jet approximately six metres long, with the aim of removing the heat from the fire.

Class-B fires should be extinguished using a foam extinguisher, which contains a pressurised mixture of water and foam that sprays a jet of approximately five metres long and creates a blanket of foam, which starves the flammable liquids of the oxygen they need to burn.

Class-E fires should be extinguished with a dry chemical powder and carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher that also starves the fire of oxygen. Electrical fires should be approached with extreme caution and the power source turned off before fighting the fire, if at all possible.

The best general fire extinguisher for the home is one that works on all three classes of fire. An ABE extinguisher can be used on wood, chemical and electrical fires, but is not recommended for fat fires in the kitchen. These should only be extinguished with a fire blanket or one of the new wet chemical extinguishers now on the market.

Use of fire extinguishers

Research by fire authorities and home insurance providers shows that one in five Australians would not know how to use a fire extinguisher in an emergency. Typically, instructions are on the body of the extinguisher and usually involve four main steps:

Remove the pin securing the handles
Aim the nozzle at the seat (base) of the fire
Squeeze the handles together to discharge the contents
Sweep the nozzle from side to side across the fire.

Cost of fire extinguishers

A simple fire blanket that can be hung in the kitchen near the stove will cost you anywhere between $30 and $60, depending on the make and quality. The price of a fire extinguisher depends on its size, but a multi-purpose one-kilogram extinguisher, suitable for use on all three classes of fire, will cost you between $50 and $100, depending on where you buy it.

It’s a modest investment when you think about what it could save you in the long run. It also pays to remember that safety improvements such as these may earn you a discount on your house insurance that may just cover the price of the extinguisher anyway.

Differences Between Diesel and Petrol Cars

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Diesel and petrol cars both have their advantages and disadvantages, so when choosing between them, it really comes down to the kind of car you need and how you will be driving it.

Advantages of diesel cars

Diesel cars have several distinct advantages over petrol cars:

More fuel efficient -- diesel cars use on average 30 per cent less fuel than petrol cars, travelling up to 50 per cent further on a litre of fuel. This obvious advantage is lessened somewhat by the fact that diesel is generally more expensive than petrol at the bowser, but as the cost of petrol continues to rise, this may change in diesel’s favour.
More torque -- diesel engines have more torque (pulling power) than petrol engines, making them ideal for towing, overtaking and hill climbing. Most trucks and buses are diesel powered because of this extra ‘grunt’ at low speeds.
Less emissions -- because diesel engines are more efficient than petrol engines, they emit lower levels of CO2, making them more environmentally friendly and attracting lower road taxes as a result. This in turn makes them an attractive option as company fleet vehicles.
Longer lifespan -- with fewer moving parts and a more robust construction, diesel engines can last up to twice as long as petrol engines (approximately 480,000 km compared to 240,000 km).

Advantages of petrol cars

While diesel cars are more fuel efficient, have more grunt, produce less emissions and have a longer lifespan, petrol cars have the advantage in other ways:

Less expensive to buy -- new diesel cars cost an average of 10 to 15 per cent more than petrol cars (approximately $2,000 -- $3,000). While the diesel’s fuel efficiency can eventually make up for this price difference, it can take some time to recoup the difference (approximately 100,000 km).
Better pickup -- petrol engines are more responsive, providing more power and better acceleration. They used to be noticeably so, but with recent advancements in diesel technology such as the Common Rail Diesel Engine (CRDI) and turbocharging, the performance gap between the two has closed considerably.
Lower maintenance costs -- standard service and maintenance of petrol cars is relatively cheap, whereas maintenance of diesel engines is more expensive because of their robust nature. Their oil and fuel systems also require frequent attention, as any water or dirt can cause premature wearing, leading to expensive repairs.
There are evidently pros and cons to both types of vehicle and it should be remembered that the diesel cars of today are nothing like their noisy, smelly predecessors. Modern European diesel cars are almost indistinguishable from their petrol counterparts with regard to noise levels and overall performance on the open road.

When it comes to car insurance, the weight of the car, the engine size and its capacity, as well as the type of fuel intake are all relevant factors in the cover you need. If you are after a vehicle for city driving conditions, then a small engine petrol car is probably going to suit you better than a 4W drive. Even though the purchase price of the latter will be higher than buying a small engine car, this does not mean that the running costs are necessarily so. The size of the car refers to the capacity only, which is not always relative to the output of the car.

All in all, it comes down to making the right choice based on your real needs and it is, therefore, important to consider all regular and on-going running and maintenance costs as well as the type of auto insurance you chose. Running on petrol or diesel can make a difference; you just need to do your research.

Avoiding Fire Danger in Your Roof

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A fire in your roof will not only cause serious damage, but if it has a chance to take hold, it could spread rapidly and destroy your entire home. Roof fires can be caused by a number of factors, including vermin, faulty wiring, insulation and blocked chimneys, so keeping your roof space clean and well maintained should be a priority for every home owner.

Vermin

Rats and mice seek shelter in the colder months and they like nothing better than settling into a warm ceiling space in winter. In older homes, they can easily find ways to get in through foundations and interior walls The problem is, rats and mice chew everything, from wood and insulation to cables and electrical wiring. If they chew through a live wire, they will be electrocuted, but this could also start a fire in your ceiling.

If you hear evidence of their presence in your ceilings, or even if you don’t, it’s a good idea to bait and set traps prior to the onset of winter, making sure that they are out of reach of children and pets. Pigeons also often nest under eaves, which can lead to fires, so you should check for nests and remove them whenever you clean your gutters.

Chimneys

If a chimney is used regularly, but rarely cleaned, it has the potential to become a fire trap. Soot builds up and blocks flues and vents and the inside of the chimney becomes lined with flammable creosote, which can start fires in the inaccessible recesses of the chimney. This can result in sparks and embers finding their way through cracks in the chimney into the frames and the ceiling. If you have a working chimney in your home, it should be regularly cleaned by a professional chimney sweep.

Insulation

If insulation is installed incorrectly, such as in close proximity to electrical wiring, it can lead to a roof fire. In Australia recently, a number of homes had to have their insulation re-installed because amateur installers without the necessary qualifications did it, as part of a government energy incentive. If you are going to put insulation in your ceiling yourself, make sure you know and adhere to the correct procedure regarding electrical wiring, but ideally have a licensed installer do it for you.

Old wiring

Another leading cause of roof fires is old electrical wiring. Older homes often still have their original wiring, which can become brittle with time, leading to cracked and split cables and exposed wires. Fire department and home insurance statistics show that many domestic electrical fires are caused by old electrical wiring that has deteriorated or was not made to cope with the demands of modern electrical equipment. If your home is more than 30 years old, you should have the wiring checked and replaced if necessary by a licensed electrical contractor.

If your electrical wiring has been neglected, your house insurance may not cover you in the event of a house fire. Although rewiring may be an expensive proposition, it will not be as costly as losing the roof over your head.

Taking Care of the Interior of Your Car

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Taking care of your car’s interior as well as having a regularly maintained vehicle, often a requirement of car insurance policies, will definitely affect your vehicle’s resale value when you come to trade up. Detailing a vehicle’s interior is more than just a labour of love and involves paying careful attention to several key areas. These are as follows:

Upholstery

The type of upholstery cleaner you use will depend on the type of upholstery you have. Cloth or velour can be cleaned with foam cleaner, whereas leather upholstery requires a special leather cleaner. If your seats have fabric upholstery, brush them first with a soft bristle brush, as this pulls fluff and dust out of the fibres and gives the fabric a plush new look. After brushing, vacuum the seats to remove what has been loosened.

Carpets

Ideally, you will have been using floor mats to protect your carpets from the majority of dirt and spills, so remove these before you clean your carpets and clean them. If they are at all worn or stained, discard them and replace with new ones.

Just as with upholstery, carpets benefit from brushing with a soft bristle brush, as it loosens dirt and debris in the pile, which can then be removed by vacuuming. To thoroughly vacuum the carpets, slide the seats back (or forward when vacuuming the rear floor) and use a crevice tool to clean around the seat tracks and the accelerator and brake pedals. If you beat the carpet with the palm of your hand as you go, this will loosen the dirt deeper in the pile as well.

Vinyl

Your dashboard, console and rear deck are constantly exposed to the sun’s UV rays, which can cause them to crack and fade over time. For this reason, they need regular treatment with a vinyl foam protectant to keep them looking good. Modern products contain sunscreen for this purpose.

Never use household soap and water to clean vinyl, as detergent will permanently remove the sheen from such surfaces. To treat, simply apply the vinyl protectant with a foam applicator, leave it for several minutes to soak into the vinyl and then buff dry with a soft towel.

Glass

Most people wash the outside of their windscreen and windows, but forget to clean the inside. Your windscreen can build up a layer of grime on the inside and when it is removed, you will be surprised at the difference it makes.

Use a soft cloth or paper towel and a good window cleaner to prevent smearing and clean the inside of the windscreen and all windows. Sticky residue from old registration stickers can be easily removed with some methylated spirits on a separate cloth.

Motoring bodies and auto insurance companies estimate that we spend up to 15 hours a week in our cars, so having a clean interior is really in our own best interests. Detailing does take time and hard work, however, so it’s a good idea to vacuum and dust the interior every time you wash your car. That way, when it does come time for a deeper clean, there will be less for you to do to restore your pride and joy to pristine condition.

Why DIY Electrical Work Is a Bad Idea

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

DIY is big business these days. Everyone’s renovating rather than moving and the big hardware chains are reaping the benefits. DIY has its problems, however. Amateur renovators are disturbing asbestos in older homes, not getting the right permits before they start renovating and injuring themselves through poor OHS practices on the job.

The problem

One of the biggest areas of concern is renovators who undertake DIY electrical work in order to save a few dollars. Rather than calling an electrician, they’re installing their own power points, doing their own rewiring jobs and generally playing with fire.

There’s a good reason why electrical work needs to be done by a licensed electrician. The National Coroner’s report showed recently that 321 Australians died from electrocution in the last decade and the majority of them were electrocuted in the home.

Unless you hire a builder, undertaking a major renovation requires an Owner Builder’s permit. This makes you, as the homeowner, responsible for everything that happens during the renovation. It also requires that you employ licensed tradespeople to carry out electrical, plumbing and other specialised work.

The real problem occurs when it’s only a small renovation and people are doing most of the work themselves in order to save money. That’s when someone is most likely to be tempted to cut a few corners, including doing small electrical jobs themselves.

The consequences

The consequences of DIY electrical work can be substantial.

Electrocution -- cutting through electrical cables or touching live wires will result in electrocution, causing severe burns and sending the heart into ventricular fibrillation, usually resulting in death.
Secondary electrocution -- if someone is electrocuted and a friend or loved one goes to their aid, without turning off the power source, they too will be electrocuted.
Delayed electrocution -- if electrical work is done incorrectly or in an unsafe manner, someone may be electrocuted at a later date, simply by touching the wrong thing.
Fire -- faulty wiring can lead to sparks igniting insulation inside walls and ceilings, which can create a fire that destroys property and threatens lives.
Liability -- if an unlicensed person does electrical work, then you, the homeowner, will be liable for any injuries or deaths that may result (up to $200,000 in fines and three years imprisonment).
Loss of insurance - if electrical work done illegally causes a fire in your home, you will not be covered by your house insurance policy.

The solution

Before you begin any DIY project on your home, make sure you factor tradesmen such as plumbers and electricians into your overall budget. Make sure the electrician you hire has a current licence and the necessary public liability insurance to cover their work. Don’t just take their word for it. Ask to see documentation.

Also make sure you notify your home insurance company of your intended renovations, as your policy may be affected otherwise. And above all, don’t be tempted to do those ‘little’ wiring jobs yourself, because if something goes wrong, the consequences could be absolutely devastating.

How Many Airbags Do You Need?

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Car manufacturers are now adding more and different kinds of airbags to new vehicles, so the question has to be asked, just how many airbags do you really need?

Types of airbags

Driver’s airbags -- most vehicles are fitted with at least one airbag, usually in the steering wheel. This protects the driver from colliding with the dash in frontal collisions.
Passenger airbags -- many vehicles now have a passenger airbag fitted as standard, which inflates from the dashboard during a frontal impact to protect the front seat passenger from colliding with the dash.
Side airbags -- side impacts account for around 25 per cent of all fatal road crashes, so side airbags (also known as curtain airbags) are now being introduced into many new cars. They deploy from above the side windows to protect the driver’s and passenger’s heads in a side impact.
Combination airbags -- combination head and torso side airbags deploy from the seat or door to protect both the head and body in a side-impact crash.
Knee airbags -- these deploy from the lower part of the dash. They inflate to fill the space between the dash and the passenger’s legs. As well as protecting the lower legs, they also restrain them, thus reducing the load from the seat belt on the passenger’s chest.
Rear seat belt airbags -- these air bags inflate from the rear seat belt, distributing the impact of the crash across the passenger's torso and shoulder.
Front-centre airbags -- these deploy from the left side of the driver's seat, forming a barrier between the driver and the front-seat passenger in a side-impact collision.

Why have airbags?

Pros

Airbags can make the difference between life and death when a passenger is involved in a car accident.
Airbags increase a passenger’s safety and therefore reduce the extent of sustained injuries. Monash University Accident Research Centre recently investigated that combination airbags reduced the odds of injury to all body regions by more than 50 per cent.
US research has shown that side airbags can reduce fatalities from side-impact crashes by up to 40 per cent.

Cons

Airbags alone do not make a vehicle safe. Research by accident investigators and auto insurance companies shows that a cheap car with lots of airbags is still not as safe as a well-designed vehicle with no airbags.
Airbags cost money. Replacing each airbag after it has deployed costs around $1000, which adds substantially to the cost of repairs. However, as a standard fitment to the car, this cost is normally covered by your car insurance.
Airbags have been known to deploy accidentally, although this is less of a problem in Australia where they are designed to deploy at higher impact speeds.

So how many airbags do you need?

In Australia, seat belts are mandatory and airbags are not. They are considered to be a supplementary device, providing additional protection to seat belts.

However, there’s plenty of evidence to show that airbags do save lives, so how many of them do you need? The answer would seem to be that, providing seat belts are worn as well, the more airbags you have in your vehicle, the less chance you have of being injured or killed if you are involved in a serious car accident.

High Tech Devices for Better Home Safety

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The average home is fraught with potential dangers, particularly for young children, but advances in technology are now improving home safety in some innovative new ways.

Safety switches

Residual current devices (RCDs) are life-saving devices that, if installed in every Australian home, would effectively eliminate domestic electrocution deaths. An RCD monitors the flow of current and, if it detects an imbalance such as would occur if someone was being electrocuted, it cuts the flow of electricity in less than 30 milliseconds. No other device is as sensitive or effective and many state governments have made RCDs mandatory in new homes and rental properties, such is their life-saving potential.

Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms have come a long way in a very short time. Now mandatory in new homes and rentals, they are available in a variety of different types for different applications. These include ionisation detectors, which ‘smell’ the smoke; photoelectric detectors, which ‘see’ the smoke before it becomes flame; and heat detectors, which react to rapid changes in temperature. The new breed of smoke alarms are more sophisticated than previous models and are much less prone to being accidentally triggered by kitchen smoke or bathroom steam.

Burglar alarms

These too have come a long way. With the development of wireless technology, burglar alarms no longer need to be hard-wired into walls and ceilings. Sensors can be placed in any room and because the whole system is portable, you can take it with you when you move house. CCTV technology has also made rapid advances and now allows you to monitor security footage of your home via your smartphone while you are at work or away on holiday.

Pool alarms

Water safety is a priority these days and, while government bodies and home insurance companies promote adherence to strict regulations regarding pool fencing, children continue to tragically drown in backyard swimming pools. Now pool alarms have appeared that provide an extra layer of protection. Attached to the side of the pool, its electronic sensor detects entry of children or pets into the water and activates an alarm in the house. As the sensor only detects a weight of 8kg or more, the chances of false alarms caused by wind and rain are greatly reduced.

Anti-scald devices

Because Australian standards require hot water to be stored at no less than 60°C in order to kill bacteria, scalding can occur if small children play with taps in the bathroom. Anti-scald devices such as thermostatic mixing valves and tempering valves work by mixing hot and cold water together to reduce the water temperature. So while the water is still being stored at the required 60°C in the tank, thanks to the anti-scald device, it is reduced to a safe temperature by the time it reaches the tap.

While nothing can completely child-proof your home, installing devices such as these and educating your children from an early age can add an extra level of safety to the precautions you already take. And the cost may even be offset by the discount you can earn on your house insurance premiums for improving your home’s safety and security.

Environmentally Friendly Car Upgrades

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Adding accessories to your car can add to its value and, if they are security or safety improvements, can reduce your auto insurance premiums as well. Adding accessories that are environmentally friendly may not have quite the same impact, but in your own small way, you will be doing your bit to reduce the carbon footprint left by your car.

Solar ventilation

An alternative to leaving your car air conditioning running, this solar ventilator attaches to the lip of the window while your car is stationary. It draws in fresh air and vents out hot air, using a fan powered by a solar panel. While it won’t completely cool your car, it can help to take the sting out of hot seats on a summer’s day.

Green windscreen wipers

Unlike normal windscreen wiper blades, which are made from petroleum products, these are made from 100 per cent recyclable silicone. While normal rubber wipers degrade over time and must be regularly replaced, these wiper blades come with a guarantee for as long as you own the vehicle.

Eco friendly floor mats

Floor mats are a simple and inexpensive way to protect the carpets in your car from dirt and stains. They are normally made from rubber, which, like all petroleum products, has a high carbon footprint. Now you can purchase floor mats that are just as good and just as cheap as rubber ones, but are made from recycled materials that have much less impact on the environment.

Waterless car wash

The average car wash uses around 200 litres of water, so at a time when water is becoming a precious resource, a car wash in a bottle is a welcome innovation. This non-toxic, phosphate-free spray-on cleaner breaks down and removes dirt and leaves a scratch-free finish on your paintwork, all without using a drop of water.

Solar-powered Bluetooth car kit

This compact device uses photovoltaic panels on the back of its Bluetooth-enabled speakerphone to power it. Hands-free and with caller ID, it provides up to 16 hours of talk time from every two-hour solar charge.

Emission-reducing additives

There are now fuel additives on the market that can increase your fuel efficiency by as much as 10 per cent, reduce harmful emissions from your exhaust and prolong the life of your engine as well. They do this, not by changing octane or cetane, but simply by using it more efficiently.

Green car apps

There are several phone apps now available that can help you to monitor you and your car’s environmental friendliness. Things these apps can keep tabs on include fuel prices in your local area, how eco-friendly your driving habits are and the size of your daily or weekly carbon footprint.

If you can’t afford a hybrid or electric car, but still want to reduce your environmental impact, think about using some of the accessories mentioned here to upgrade your car to a new level of green.

Who knows? As environmental awareness grows, car insurance companies may soon consider the need for vehicles to have a certain number of green features. There are already discounts available for those vehicles with approved emission controls, so it may just be a matter of time.

How to Add Extra Security to a New Home

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Whether you’re moving into a brand new home in a brand new suburb or an older home in a more established area, security should be high on your To Do list from the moment you pick up the keys.

New home

Just because a home is brand new doesn’t mean there won’t be any security issues. As police and home insurance companies will tell you, many new homes are actually less secure than older homes, due to the use of poor quality frames, doors, windows and locks in their construction.

If you’re buying off the plan, you might want to consider trading off some of the added extras in favour of better locks and stronger doors to reduce your likelihood of being burgled. It also pays to remember that thefts can occur before you even move in. While the house is being built, there are often valuable building materials left lying around in the yard.

Even when the home is completed to lock-up stage, it is not unheard of for a homeowner to move half their possessions in, only to come back the next day and find they are gone. If it’s in a brand new housing complex, there may not be any fences when you first move in, so the sooner you can secure the perimeters of your yard, the more secure the house will be from vandals and potential thieves.

Older home

If your new home is pre-loved, making it secure should be your first priority. Imagine you are a burglar and do a complete sweep of house and grounds. Write down every possible security flaw you come across and what you’ll need to do to fix each one. This could include replacing insecure locks, fixing broken windows, cutting back shrubs that provide cover for intruders and securing outbuildings and garages.

If the house has had previous occupants, you should make sure all keys have been handed in to the realtor, and if it was a rental property with a number of previous tenants, you should have all the locks changed as a matter of course.

Established homes often have security features that the previous owners have added over the years, such as an alarm system or motion sensor lighting in the yard. While these are an added bonus from a security point of view, you’ll need to test them to make sure they are still working properly and repair or replace them if faulty.

Any home

Whatever type of home you do end up buying, the best form of security you can have is full house and contents insurance, so that if the worst should happen and you do have a break in, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you’re fully insured. Talk to your insurance provider before you move in and be fully covered from the moment you step through the front door.

What to Check Before Buying a Second Hand Car

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

When you buy a used car, you’re always taking a risk. Because it’s no longer new, it could be in poor condition, have money owing on it, be a stolen vehicle, or have been involved in an accident at some time in its life. It pays to check a few things before you sign on the dotted line.

Check the price

A vehicle’s selling price is determined by its age and how far it has travelled. If you know these details beforehand (most car ads include year of manufacture and kilometres travelled), you can do some research and determine the average selling price for similar vehicles of that model and year.

There are free websites where you can find this information, and once you know the average selling price, you can work out whether the seller is asking a fair price for their vehicle. Remember, when deciding how much you can afford to spend, don’t forget to factor in the cost of registration and motor vehicle insurance as well.

Check the car

If you don’t know a lot about cars, take someone with you who does when you go to inspect the vehicle. Things to look for include rust in the bodywork, bald tyres, cracks in the windscreen, oil leaks, welding marks from accident repair work, worn brakes or suspension and noises coming from the engine or gearbox.

If you don’t have a mechanically-inclined friend, it would be well worth the money to have a licensed mechanic check the vehicle over for you. A service such as the RAC will visit the car yard or private address, carry out the inspection and present you with a comprehensive list of items needing attention.

Check the history

If the car seems okay, then you need to check its history to make sure it doesn’t have a shady past. You’ll need its registration number, engine number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
There are free and fee-based services online where you can check the vehicle’s history.

The Personal Property Security Register is a government website where you can conduct a basic search on a vehicle for just $3.50. For a small extra fee it will present you with a certificate, which could protect you from having the vehicle repossessed, if it later turned out to have money owing on it. The search will show whether the vehicle has been in any major accidents, whether it has finance owing on it and whether it is listed as stolen.

Check the paperwork

If the vehicle is mechanically sound, has a clean history and is fairly priced, then it’s time to make the purchase. When you do though, make sure you check all the paperwork involved. If you are buying from a dealership, read the loan agreement carefully with regard to interest being charged and any conditions attached to the loan. If you are purchasing from a private seller, make sure you are given the registration papers, the vehicle log book and the transfer of ownership papers, which you both must sign.

Regardless of where you buy the vehicle, don’t forget the most important part: arrange car insurance cover so that you are fully insured from the moment you drive away.

What to Check Before Buying a Second Hand Car

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Check the price

Check the car

Check the history

Check the paperwork

Regardless of where you buy the vehicle, don’t forget the most important part: arrange car insurance cover so that you are fully insured from the moment you drive away.

Are You Ready to Become an Owner Builder?

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Before you say yes to this question, read on and you may just change your mind.

Definition

An owner builder is anyone who constructs or renovates a domestic dwelling on their own land. This includes any alterations, repairs or additions to a building (such as a garage, swimming pool or verandah), where the cost of labour and materials exceeds $5,000.

Responsibilities

An owner builder is responsible for every aspect of the work being carried out, including:

Supervising tradespeople
Ordering materials
Managing the building site
Obtaining all permits and approvals
Obtaining necessary insurance
Providing a safe work environment
Ensuring contractors are licensed
Guaranteeing the work.

That is a lot of responsibility, so if you are thinking of becoming an owner builder in order to save some money on labour costs, make sure you are fully prepared to take on the role.

Qualifications

In order to become an owner builder, you must complete an approved owner builder course (if the value of the work is over $12,000), or have an equivalent qualification. You must also have a vested interest in the dwelling by owning the land and living or intending to live in the dwelling. An owner builder permit does not qualify you to do any electrical or plumbing or other specialised work, which must be done by a licensed tradesman.

Approvals

The work carried out will normally require the following approvals:

A Certificate of Consent prior to obtaining a building permit, if the value of the work is more than $12,000
Either a Complying Development Certificate (CDC) or a Construction Certificate issued by your local council
Inspection during construction to determine that the work meets national building standards
An Occupation Certificate confirming that the dwelling is suitable for occupation.

Insurance

An owner builder needs the following insurance:

Workers Compensation Insurance to cover anyone (including contractors) who works on the dwelling
Public Liability Insurance to protect against claims resulting from injuries incurred as a result of the building work
Alteration of any existing house insurance policy to cover the changed circumstances
Insurance for adjoining property protection during construction if applicable
Home Warranty Insurance to cover a buyer, if the dwelling is sold within six years of completion

Risks

As an owner builder, you assume all the risks and liabilities of a registered builder, including:

Cost of any work that needs to be redone as a result of poor workmanship or non-compliance
Cost of any loss through fire or theft during construction
Increased costs as a result of underestimation.

Bearing all these considerations in mind, is becoming an owner builder still for you? Hiring a registered builder may be more expensive than doing it yourself, but part of the reason for this is that you are paying for all the risks and responsibilities the builder must shoulder on your behalf.

If this article has raised any doubts in your mind about becoming an owner builder, it may be worth talking to your local council and your home insurance provider before pursuing such an idea further.

Adding Hotter Rims and Tyres to Your Car

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

There’s no question that gleaming rims and wide, low-profile tyres can make a hot car look even hotter. But did you know they can improve the car’s performance as well?

Appearance

Most performance cars have wider-than-normal rims and low-profile tyres. As the rims are the eye-catching features, it makes sense to have more of them visible, which is what you achieve if you reduce the height of the sidewalls.
Rims come in a myriad of styles and designs, from simple wire spokes through to works of art in gleaming chrome. They can be made from traditional steel or an aluminium alloy, which is lighter and stronger than steel and comes in a greater variety of sizes and styles. Aftermarket rims and tyres are not just for performance cars either. Many people now prefer the look of a low-profile tyre, which can set off the trim of a vehicle, no matter what make or model it is.

Performance

Wide rims and low-profile tyres offer other advantages as well as good looks. A wider tyre gives you a bigger footprint on the road and thus more grip, while a shorter sidewall produces a quicker steering response and better lateral stability. Alloy wheels also improve a car’s road-holding ability by reducing the vehicle’s unsprung weight (weight not supported by the suspension).

Reducing this weight allows for more precise steering input and better cornering characteristics. Alloy wheels can also provide slightly better fuel economy and can improve safety, due to their ability to conduct heat away from the brakes.

Regulations

While hotter rims and tyres may appeal to you, they may not appeal to your car insurance company, who may have conditions relating to vehicle modifications, so it pays to check before you have them fitted to your car.

It also pays to check with the road traffic authority in your state, as altering your rims and tyres beyond certain limits is illegal. In most states, your wheels can be up to 25 mm wider than the manufacturer’s specifications and the overall diameter of wheel and tyre up to 15 mm more than normal. Any greater than this and you will require a vehicle inspection and an engineer’s certificate, and anything beyond 50mm is usually illegal. All states stipulate that the wheels must not protrude from the bodywork when in the straight-ahead position.

Considerations

While hot rims and tyres can give your car a much edgier look, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Low-profile tyres can reduce passenger comfort and make for a harder ride
They can also cause greater damage to your vehicle if you run over a pothole
They must have the same rolling circumference as the manufacturer’s specifications, or your speedometer and electronics could be put out of calibration
They must have an equal or higher load ratio than the original tyres
They can affect your braking performance, particularly in SUVs
Altering your wheels and tyres will require you to inform your auto insurance company, as they are considered to be modifications.

Replacing Old Insecure Locks

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Replacing your old locks is the best way to improve home security without spending a lot of money. However, each situation calls for a particular type of lock and this article looks at the various kinds available and where each can be used to best advantage.

Door locks

Crime prevention and home insurance bodies will tell you that the front door is the most common means of entry for a burglar. If you live in an older style house, you will quite possible have a night latch or Yale lock on your front door. This is the kind that locks automatically behind you and is operated by a key on the outside and a knob on the inside. The main problem with these locks is that they can be accessed from the inside. If there is a glass panel in the door or a window next to it, all a burglar has to do is break the glass, reach in and unlock the door.

The best kind of external door lock is therefore a deadbolt-style lock that requires a key to unlock it from either side. The thing to remember about door locks is that they are only as strong as the door itself. So, if your front door is made of cheap ply panels, you would be well advised to reinforce the door jamb with a steel plate to prevent it being forced open.

Window locks

Many windows have a sash lock, which is a lever that turns and prevents the sash from moving up and down. This has the same problem as the night latch, in that a burglar can simply make a hole in the window and then reach in and unlock it. Therefore, the best kind of window lock is a barrel lock with a key. Obviously, you shouldn’t leave the key in the lock, so there is some inconvenience involved, but this kind of lock will provide the best deterrent.

Sliding windows often have simple latches holding them closed, and here again a barrel lock and key should be installed. You can provide further security by attaching screws to the top of the tracks, to prevent your sliding windows from being lifted off their rollers.

Other locks

Other points of entry should also have their locks checked and replaced as necessary. Many garages have a connecting door to the house and this should be as secure as any exterior door.
One way to make the garage more secure is to install a remote control roller door, as the pressure exerted by the mechanism when the door is closed prevents the door from being forced open.

Doors on garden sheds should also be fitted with good-quality padlocks, as burglars have been known to use ladders and tools found in sheds to help them break into the house. Replacing old insecure locks will not only provide you with an added level of home security, but it could also earn you a discount on your house insurance, so be sure to notify your insurer of what you have done.

Why You Should Avoid Retreads

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Retreads were available for many years as a cheap alternative to new tyres. They slowly fell out of favour as questions began to be raised about their safety and a growing range of affordable new tyres became a better option for budget-conscious motorists. Now, with environmental concerns about the amount of oil needed to produce tyres, retreads are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. But despite being green, are they really safe?

What are retreads?

A retread is a used tyre that has been re-manufactured to extend its life. The old worn tread is removed and new tread is attached through a specialised process involving hot and cold curing. Retreads are widely used in the trucking industry because of the high cost of replacing truck tyres. Commercial jets also use retreads for the same reason.

What makes retreads green?

Old tyres used to be burnt, but now they are recycled. Retreading is the most environmentally-friendly way of recycling rubber tyres, because one tyre can be retreaded up to 10 times, dramatically extending its service life. Retreads save hundreds of millions of gallons of oil in production and reduce carbon emissions and landfill.

But are they safe?

Retreaded tyres for passenger vehicles must have a minimum speed rating of 140 km/h and the original casing used must have a minimum rating of 180 km/h. Many motoring bodies and car insurance companies do not consider retreads safe and do not recommend their use in passenger vehicles for the following reasons:

The history of the original tyre is unknown (how often it has been retreaded and under what conditions it has been driven)
Less overall structural strength than a new tyre and the potential for the retread to come loose from the tyre
Potential instability at high speed
Inferior wet grip, durability and braking performance.

Proponents of retreads

Those who manufacture and sell retreads argue they are perfectly safe, provided they are:

Manufactured and tested according to strict safety standards
Only retreaded once on passenger vehicles
Always used well within their load and speed specifications
Regularly inspected to ensure correct tyre pressure.

Why you should avoid them

While retreads may be suitable for the transport industry due to the cost savings, they should be avoided in passenger vehicles simply because of the doubts that still hang over them. The bottom line is, these are not new tyres and, like anything used, they have a greater potential to fail. Given that most tyre retailers now carry very affordable new tyre brands at the lower end of their ranges, there is simply no excuse for bringing your family’s safety into question for the sake of a few dollars.

There is also the question of whether you would be covered by your auto insurance if your vehicle was involved in an accident caused by retreads that were not properly maintained.

Environmental implications are obviously important too and, as oil reserves diminish, there may well come a time when the use of retreads will need to be considered for all vehicles. But hopefully by then, speeds will have reduced and car safety features increased to the point where the quality of our tyres will no longer be a major concern.

Recovering After a Major Storm Event

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Surviving a major storm is a cause for celebration, but once the worst has passed, there are other obstacles to be overcome on the path to recovery.

Immediately after

Before you go outside to inspect the damage, firstly make sure that the storm is actually over. If it is a cyclone, for instance, you could just be experiencing the calm weather in the storm’s ‘eye’, with more severe weather yet to come. Ideally, you should check local radio broadcasts for the all-clear before venturing outside.

When you do go out, make sure you are wearing boots and protective clothing and leave children and animals indoors. Scan the immediate area for hazards such as fallen power lines, leaking gas mains, damaged buildings and fallen trees.

Report fallen power lines and gas leaks immediately and return to the house to await the arrival of emergency services personnel. Emergency services and home insurance groups have estimated that up to half of storm-related injuries can occur after the storm has passed, so don’t take risks. Sit tight and wait for help.

Soon after

When the immediate dangers have been removed, it’s time to inspect the damage to your home. Do a walk around and look for obvious signs of damage such as missing roof tiles and broken windows. Depending on the severity of the storm, there may be structural damage as well, so write down everything you see or suspect and take photos.

Be careful when walking around your property. Look out for broken glass, nails and other debris. Also be on the lookout for snakes, which may have been forced to find shelter or higher ground during the storm. Use a stick to poke through debris, rather than your hands. When you have made a thorough inspection, call your house insurance provider and report the damage. They will send someone to inspect it in due course.

In the meantime, beware of door-to-door contractors who may show up, offering to repair your home. Sign nothing, ask to see their licence or accreditation and check with your insurance company before hiring anyone to undertake repairs.

Over time

A major storm can be a traumatic event for everyone and some after-effects may take a little while to become apparent. Feelings of sadness, anger and anxiety are often experienced by those who have gone through a disaster and emotional scars can take time to heal. Everyone reacts in different ways, but recognising your feelings and allowing others to help you is the best way to start the healing process.

Children are especially vulnerable and need reassurance that what has happened will not happen to them again. Reassure them as much as you can and try to re-establish patterns of normalcy in their lives as soon as possible.

Knowing what to do after a severe storm can be just as important as taking the correct precautions before it arrives. Above all else, keep a level head, tackle problems one by one as they arise and keep reminding yourself of the most important thing of all: that you and your family are safe and well.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Dangerous Road Conditions

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The summer holidays are here and if you’re planning to drive to your holiday destination, now’s the time to prepare your vehicle for the open road. Country driving puts different demands on your vehicle to those experienced in built up areas. Your car will be travelling at higher speeds and road surfaces may be rougher and more unpredictable.

Tyres

Tyres are the first thing to check, as country driving will soon find them out if they’re less than adequate. Check to see that they have enough tread and whether they are inflated to the correct pressure. If they are showing signs of wear, go to a tyre dealer and have them replaced. Check to see that your spare tyre is serviceable, as you don’t want to be stranded without a spare in unfamiliar surroundings.

Service

Check and replace where necessary all fluids, filters and belts and make sure your lights and indicators are working correctly. Check your battery and top up the cells if necessary. Fill up your windscreen washer reservoir and get new wiper blades if they’re worn.

If reaching your holiday destination involves travelling on unsealed roads, check your shock absorbers as well. If you push down on your fender and the car is slow to return to its normal position upon release, your shock absorbers may be worn and require replacing.

A word of warning, if you plan to do any off-roading during your holiday, check your car insurance policy first to see if you’re covered for damage sustained in abnormal driving conditions.

Emergency kit

It pays to throw a few things in a bag before you head off, as you never know what you might encounter on your trip and you could be a long way from anywhere when something happens. Your emergency kit should include the following:

Enough water for yourself and the radiator
A torch and spare batteries
A GPS or a good map of the route you will be taking
A tool kit with all the basic tools in it
A first aid kit
A tyre pump and pressure gauge
A set of jumper leads.

Mental preparation

As well as preparing your vehicle for holiday road conditions, you also need to prepare yourself mentally. Research by motoring bodies and auto insurance companies points to driver error as being a major contributing factor in holiday road accidents.

Don’t just head straight off after work. Get a good night’s sleep before you hit the road. Fatigue kills many drivers who aren’t used to long stretches behind the wheel. If driving long distances, take plenty of rest breaks and stop when you feel tired. If driving at night, drive to the conditions. In other words, reduce your speed if you can’t see what’s ahead. Dip your lights to oncoming traffic and stay alert for animals on the road.

Above all, be patient. If getting to your destination requires driving at speed and overtaking every vehicle that gets in your way, then you haven’t planned your trip very well. Part of the enjoyment of a holiday is the journey itself, so relax and take in the scenery.

How to Teach Children About Bushfire Safety

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Many rural schools teach bushfire safety as part of their curriculum, but rather than relying on this, we should all take the time to teach our kids about fire awareness and how to stay safe around bushfires.

Fire

The first step is to make them aware of the dangers of fire in general. This can begin at a very early age with simply education and awareness.

Children also need to be taught not to play with matches and this should be made part of the household rules, just as they do not play with knives or swim in the pool when no adults are present. Household rules must have repercussions to be taken seriously, so, just as there would be no dessert if vegetables were not eaten, so playing with matches should result in grounding, loss of privileges or some similar punishment to drive the message home.

Bushfire safety

If a basic respect for fire has been taught from an early age, teaching kids about bushfire safety should be much easier. When camping, teach them the rules regarding campfires, which should:

Only be lit on days of low fire danger
Only be lit in a campground fireplace or suitably cleared area
Be constantly watched to ensure sparks don’t spread
Be extinguished thoroughly before leaving.

Bushfire preparation

There are certain steps you need to take around your home as the bushfire season approaches. The first and most important is to make sure your house and contents insurance is up to date. Other tasks involve cleaning up around your home and encouraging your children to help is a good way to educate them about bushfire preparedness.

Things they can do include:
Helping to clean up debris and leaves around the yard
Helping to prune bushes that are too close to the house
Helping with lawn mowing and weeding
Helping to clean leaves from gutters and downpipes.

Obviously, the extent to which they can help in these tasks will depend on their age, but just being involved in some way will assist them in absorbing the safety message.

Bushfire survival

Every family should have an emergency plan and involving your children in this will help ensure their safety. They should know exactly what their roles are and practise what to do if a bushfire occurs.

You need to know they’re safe, first and foremost, so teach them to go to a rallying point such as a bathroom or protected inner room. They can also assist with other tasks, such as bringing pets indoors and gathering up their toys and possessions, in case you need to evacuate. Don’t scare them with your plan, though. Merely emphasise that it is an important job that you are relying on them to do.

While home insurance will protect your house, the best way to protect your children from bushfire is to teach them how to protect themselves. But it shouldn’t be a bossy or boring experience. Rather than lecturing them, make it a game, a quiz, a story or a family activity and they will be much more likely to absorb what they need to know about bushfires.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Heavy Storms

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

With the storm season upon us, we need to take extra care to keep our families safe and our assets protected from the elements. Every time a storm hits, car insurance companies receive many claims for damage from hail, fallen trees and accidents resulting from driving in severe weather. Being prepared for a storm means not taking unnecessary risks and doing everything we can to batten down the hatches.

Parking

If a storm is approaching, the ideal place for your motor vehicle is in the garage. Even here, it’s not always safe, as storms have been known to tear off roofs and bring trees crashing down on houses, but at least in a garage, your car is safe from flying debris. If you don’t have a garage, or you have more than one car, then the front yard is your next best parking option. Provided it is off the street and not parked near large trees with overhanging branches, your vehicle will be afforded some measure of protection.

Hail

Hail is one of the most common causes of damage to motor vehicles. It can smash windscreens and windows and cover a vehicle in highly destructive dents and scratches, sometimes to the extent that the vehicle is written off as being too expensive to repair. Hail damage occurs so frequently that special hail covers are now available on the market to protect vehicles from the worst of a hailstorm.

While nothing short of a suit of armour will fully protect against hailstones the size of cricket balls (as was experienced recently in parts of south Queensland), hail covers are made from toughened weather-resistant materials that cushion the effect of the hailstones striking a car. If a storm is approaching and you don’t own a hail cover, heavy woollen blankets draped over the vehicle would hopefully afford some level of protection, as long as they were well secured.

Flooding

A by-product of a severe storm can often be heavy rain that produces flooding. If you must park your vehicle in the street, make sure you don’t park it near a stormwater drain, as this is where flooding will occur if the drainage system is not able to cope with the downpour. If you live in a flood-prone area, it might be worth moving your vehicle to higher ground, but this should be done well before the storm arrives, not during it, as you should never drive through floodwaters under any circumstances. Even a few inches of water can have the power to sweep a car off the road.

Insurance

If you live in an area where storms are common, make sure you talk to your auto insurance provider about storm damage. Make sure your policy covers you for hail damage and also for flooding. The hard lesson learnt by many after the devastating Brisbane floods was that not all insurers offer the same level of cover.

With our weather patterns changing and meteorologists predicting more frequent and severe storms in the future, it’s more important than ever to ensure our family and important assets are fully protected from the destructive power of nature.

Preparing Your Home for Summer Storms

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

They can produce damaging winds and flooding rains, so now’s the time to prepare your home for those unpredictable summer storms.

Yard

Strong winds can do a lot of damage, particularly if you have big trees in your yard. A tree may look perfectly strong and safe, but it’s during a storm when you find out how healthy it really is. Having your trees tested for disease and removing unsafe branches will protect your home from what could be a major disaster.

If you have any large trees near your house, you would be wise to have overhanging branches removed, whether they are diseased or not. Tree lopping should always be carried out by a licensed professional. Remove all items from your yard that have the potential to become airborne missiles during a storm, too. If a storm is forecast, place your car in the garage if you have one, or move it away from any trees and cover with a tarpaulin.

Roof

Other areas needing attention are your roof and gutters. Check your roof for loose tiles or shingles and repair or replace as required. Check that satellite dishes and TV antennas are firmly secured. Clean leaves and debris from your gutters and downpipes, as blocked gutters can cause water to flow back under the eaves and into your ceiling.

Windows

Windows are vulnerable to flying debris during a storm, so if you have shutters, ensure they are in good working order so they can be closed at short notice. If you live in a storm-prone area, you should consider buying storm shutters, as they are now made from super-strong materials that are strength-tested to withstand even hurricane-force winds.

If you don’t have shutters and you are aware of an approaching storm, consider taping your windows to prevent glass from shattering inwards. You may even want to board them up if you have the time and materials and the storm is predicted to be severe. Also check windows for gaps where rain could drive in and apply caulking to these areas.

Indoors

If a storm is approaching, move all sensitive pot plants indoors and bring pets inside as well. Make your pets comfortable as they will become distressed if it is a severe storm with thunder and lightning. Ensure surge protectors are fitted to sensitive appliances, such as televisions, computers and stereo systems, in case of power surges or ‘brownouts’.

Have an emergency kit ready in case you lose power. Ideally, it should contain a torch and spare batteries, a transistor radio, a first aid kit and some food and drinking water. Make sure your home insurance policy is up to date.

When doing so, you should also make sure that your contents insurance reflects the current value of your possessions.

Summer storms can be frightening and destructive, but if you take adequate precautions before they arrive, you’ll have the best chance of keeping your home and your family safe.

Driving Safely in Bushfire Affected Regions

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This summer, thousands of Australians will head for the beaches and the outback to make the most of the holiday break. Unfortunately, summer holidays also coincide with periods of high fire danger, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and know what to do if you find yourself in an area threatened by bushfire.

Driving

If you’re driving in an area of high fire danger, the first thing to remember is not to be the cause of a fire yourself. Never throw cigarette butts out the window and if you stop at a picnic site to boil the kettle, only light a fire if it is not a total fire ban day and always make sure it is completely extinguished before you leave the area.

Be aware of your surroundings. Read any signs you come across warning of high fire danger, and if you suspect there is a fire in the area, listen to the local radio for updates. If you encounter smoke across the road, stop and assess the situation before driving through it. If it’s safe to do so and you have no choice but to continue, turn your lights on, wind up your windows, turn off the air conditioning and drive slowly, as other drivers will have difficulty seeing you.

If you are off-road, make sure your vehicle is in good condition and you have plenty of water with you. Motoring bodies and car insurance companies also recommend you carry a first aid kit and woollen blankets whenever exploring off-road in a fire prone area. And before you go off-road, there are a couple of things you need to take care of:

Call your auto insurance company to confirm that you are covered for off-road driving conditions
Make sure someone knows your route and where you are going
Purchase a good map of the area or have it displayed on your GPS

Emergency procedures

If you are surprised by an approaching bushfire, take the following emergency actions to protect yourself and your family:

Seek shelter in an enclosed building (such as a brick shower block if it is a camping ground) that is away from the path of danger. If there is no enclosed building, then seek shelter in your car, ensuring that you are well clear of the direct path of the fire.
Park in a cleared area away from long grass and trees and facing towards the approaching fire, ensuring that you can accurately monitor the direction of the fire.
Wind up your windows, put on your headlights and shelter below the window line, covering yourself with blankets, jackets, floor mats or whatever is at hand.
If you don’t have a car to shelter in, look for any rocky outcrops or road embankments you can shelter behind or low lying creek beds, animal burrows or dams.
Avoid slopes or hilltops and never put yourself above a fire.

Bushfire is a natural part of the Australian landscape and, just like any other natural event, it can be dangerous if we don’t take adequate precautions. Being prepared, staying aware of our surroundings and keeping a level head in an emergency are the best ways to ensure you stay safe around bushfires this summer.

Securing Your Home Without Making it a Prison

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

You used to be able to tell a lot about a neighbourhood by the kind of security measures people employed. If there were steel bars on the windows and barbed wire on the fences, you knew there was a crime problem in the area. Not any more though. Manufacturers of home security equipment have realised that people want security that doesn’t look like security. Modern security fittings are designed to blend in with and even enhance a home’s appearance, rather than making the occupants feel like they are living in a prison.

Window security

The manufacturing of metals has come a long way from the days of the iron bar. The blending of metals has seen the emergence of alloys that are lighter, stronger and thinner than traditional steel and these are now being used in home security.

Window grilles can be almost imperceptible when matched to the style and colour scheme of a home. They can even be patterned to provide a stylish trim to windows, while still being ultra-strong and virtually impervious to attack. The development of security screens and doors has also progressed to the point where brands such as Crimsafe now far exceed required standards of protection, while still giving doors and windows a smart finish in a choice of colours.

Border security

As with window fittings, steel fencing has also benefited from the development of new types of materials. Fences and gates can now be low-profile in their design, while still having the strength and durability of steel. Colorbond fencing is also very popular and comes in a wide choice of colours, allowing you to have a strong, yet aesthetically pleasing, border around your property.

Pool fencing too has undergone a revolution. Required by law to keep children safe around a pool area, it can now be made from a range of materials, including glass, that still conform to safety specifications, without spoiling the view.

Simple security

Other ways to add security without detracting from your home’s good looks include using gravel instead of pavers on your paths. Not only does gravel have a rustic, earthy appeal underfoot, but it also amplifies footsteps and advertises the presence of unwelcome visitors. Garden lighting is also an appealing addition to a property and, if fitted with a motion sensor switch for after-hours use, can act as an effective deterrent to anyone lurking in your yard.

The front door is another area where you can improve your security and also your home’s street appeal. Crime prevention and home insurance bodies point to the front door as the primary means of entry for burglars, so purchasing an imposing new wooden door will not only make your front entrance more attractive aesthetically, it will also make it far less attractive to intruders.

As this article has attempted to show, security no longer has to be at the expense of aesthetics. New materials and new ways of thinking have created a win-win situation for homeowners, who can now add security and reduce their house insurance premiums, while also adding to the appearance and overall value of their property.

Keeping Track of a Stolen Car

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Time is of the essence when your car is stolen. The longer you wait before reporting the theft, the less chance you have of recovery. The following are some things you can do to keep track of your stolen car.

Report the theft

If you notify the police promptly, they can put the word out and be looking for your vehicle immediately. If it was taken by joy riders, it may still be in the area or recently abandoned.
You will need to fill out a stolen vehicle report and supply all pertinent information such as make, model, year, colour, registration and VIN number.

The police deal with hundreds of stolen cars every week, so the sooner you report the theft, the higher up the priority list you will be and the greater your chance of recovery. You should also contact your car insurance company to report the theft and confirm that you are fully covered.

Track the vehicle

If your car has a GPS tracking unit installed and you report the theft to the monitoring service, they will be able to locate the vehicle and track its movements. There are many such services available in the USA, such as OnStar and LoJack and some now in Australia, such as Toyota Link. When you report the theft to them, they track the vehicle’s movements via satellite and then inform the police of its location. There are also many self-tracking devices that companies use to keep tabs on their fleet vehicles and these can also be used to locate a stolen car.

The thing to remember when self-tracking is not to take the law into your own hands. If you discover where your car is located, call the police and let them deal with it. Trying to recover the vehicle yourself could put you in a dangerous situation.

Put the word out

If your vehicle is not recovered immediately, every day that goes by makes it less likely it ever will be. Vehicles stolen for parts or resale seldom resurface and, after a waiting period, you will need to discuss your options with your motor vehicle insurance provider. In the meantime though, you shouldn’t give up. There are things you can do yourself to continue the search for your vehicle.

If you have a photo of it, make up flyers and post them around the neighbourhood. You could even offer a reward, which may jog someone’s memory about something they have seen or heard. There are also websites, such as stolen-property.com, where you can list the theft for free.

Borrow a car and go for a drive through the local car parks. Car parks at train stations, shopping centres and airports are popular dumping grounds for stolen cars, because they can be left there for days without anyone noticing.

Smart thieves may also leave a stolen car in a car park temporarily, so they can watch to see if it is being tracked. If you do find your vehicle, do not approach it yourself. The thieves may still be in the area, so notify police of its whereabouts and wait for them to arrive.

Worst Places in the World for Stolen Vehicles

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

While you’d expect third world countries to top the list, California on the west coast of America is actually home to many of the worst cities for car theft.

USA

According to recent data released by criminal investigation and motor insurance bodies, Fresno, California is the number one city in the US for car thefts, with more than 800 thefts per 100,000 vehicles recorded last year alone. California is also home to seven of America’s Top 10 car theft capitals, including Stockton, Modesto, Bakersfield and Spokane. Surprisingly, Los Angeles only comes in at 23rd place on the list and New York on the east coast ranks even further behind that.

One reason California has so many car thefts is because it has so many cars and so many people; more than any other state in the USA.

UK

Recent research by insurance providers in England found that South Shrewsbury is the worst place for car thefts in the United Kingdom, with 15 per cent of all stolen car claims for the year. It is closely followed by Winchester, South Huddersfield, West Bromwich and Ilford in London.
Commentators point to the fact that the affluent groups whose vehicles are being targeted are now more geographically spread out and large cities such as Liverpool and Edinburgh are no longer the stereotypical crime hot spots they once were.

Australia

Closer to home, Perth in Western Australia was recently crowned the nation’s ‘Car Theft Capital’, with a staggering 19 per cent increase in car thefts so far this year, compared to an overall national decrease of 1 per cent. Experts are pointing to the mining boom as a possible cause, with the two-speed economy sparking an overall increase in crime in Western Australia.

Queensland also features highly, with more than 11,000 cars stolen this year. Authorities blame a crackdown by New South Wales police, which has driven organised car theft rings across the border into Queensland. As in Western Australia, the current mining boom in Queensland may also be a contributing factor.

Prevention

While it is impossible to completely prevent your car from being stolen, there are measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of it happening. These include:

Always locking your car when you leave it, even for a minute and never leaving the car unattended with the engine running or the keys in the ignition.
Fitting some sort of security device to your vehicle, preferably an immobiliser or alarm system, but at the very least, a visible deterrent such as a steering wheel lock.
Always parking in well-populated and well-lit areas where a theft would be noticed, which would hopefully deter all but the most professional car thieves.
Fitting a GPS tracking device, so that your vehicle can be tracked and its location pinpointed by police after it is stolen.
Taking out comprehensive car insurance which includes cover for theft and malicious damage, so that if the worst does happen, you will not be financially disadvantaged and will be able to purchase another vehicle.

Home and Contents Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

While you’d expect third world countries to top the list, California on the west coast of America is actually home to many of the worst cities for car theft.

USA

One reason California has so many car thefts is because it has so many cars and so many people; more than any other state in the USA.

UK

Australia

Prevention

While it is impossible to completely prevent your car from being stolen, there are measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of it happening. These include:

Always locking your car when you leave it, even for a minute and never leaving the car unattended with the engine running or the keys in the ignition.
Fitting some sort of security device to your vehicle, preferably an immobiliser or alarm system, but at the very least, a visible deterrent such as a steering wheel lock.
Always parking in well-populated and well-lit areas where a theft would be noticed, which would hopefully deter all but the most professional car thieves.
Fitting a GPS tracking device, so that your vehicle can be tracked and its location pinpointed by police after it is stolen.
Taking out comprehensive car insurance which includes cover for theft and malicious damage, so that if the worst does happen, you will not be financially disadvantaged and will be able to purchase another vehicle.

Renovating with Home Security in Mind

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Incorporating a few simple additions and alterations into your renovation plans can give your home a whole new level of security....click here to continue reading

What to Do if Your Car is Stolen

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

You have car insurance for that very reason, but you always think it will never happen to you. Then, out of the blue, your car is stolen. What next?...click here to continue reading

Cleaner Car Options

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Aside from fossil fuel power generation, petrol-powered motor vehicles are one of the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions....click here to continue reading

Where to Place Security Cameras in Your Home

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Cameras offer one of the highest levels of security in your home, but where you place them will determine how successful they are as a security measure....click here to continue reading

Adding Value to Your Home on a Budget

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

There are many ways to add value to your home without spending a lot of money. DIY means a fraction of the cost, and the results can be just as effective....click here to continue reading

Adding Luxury Modifications to Your Car

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If your car’s your pride and joy and you’ve got the money to spend, here are some great modifications you can make that will add value and enjoyment....click here to continue reading

Extending Your Car Warranty

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Extending your car’s warranty can be a real money saver, but you should always read the fine print to determine if yours offers value for money....click here to continue reading

Will DIY Electrical Work Affect My Insurance?

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If people knew the potential consequences of DIY electrical work, they would be on the phone to an electrician right away....click here to continue reading

Where Do You Park Your Car?

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

It might seem a strange question, but where you park your car has a direct bearing on your personal safety or having your car broken into or stolen....click here to continue reading

High Tech Gadgets to Protect Your Home

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Some of the best high-tech gadgets on the market today for protecting your home from fire, theft and extremes of weather....click here to continue reading

How Would You Rate Your Car’s Safety?

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Ever wondered what your odds of having an accident are? Just how safe your car is depends on a lot of factors, but there are simple steps you can take that will significantly reduce the likelihood of it happening to you....click here to continue reading

Creating a Better Boundary Around Your Property

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

There are as many types of fences as there are reasons why people put them up, and the kind of border you create will depend on your own purpose....click here to continue reading

Voiding the Warranty on a New Vehicle

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

There are a number of circumstances where your new car warranty can be voided, so it pays to read your contract thoroughly and know what your options are....click here to continue reading

Effective Prevention of House Fires

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Home insurance is a good way of ensuring you can start again after a house fire, but preventing one from happening in the first place should be your priority....click here to continue reading

Warming Up Your Engine Correctly

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

There’s a right and a wrong way to warm up your engine and it’s all about saving fuel, minimising wear and reducing your carbon footprint....click here to continue reading

Proper Maintenance for Your 4WD

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Some basic maintenance procedures that you should do regularly and especially before a big off-road trip....click here to continue reading

Which Safe is Best for Your Home?

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Before you install a home safe, you need to consider which kind is best for you....click here to continue reading

Australia’s Biggest Home Expos

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Most capital cities hold major expos every year, to which thousands of people flock in search of ideas, innovations and expert advice....click here to continue reading

Technology for a Safe Night Out

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Many newvehicles are now equipped with a range of hi-tech l innovations that are designed to ensure we have a safe night out....click here to continue reading

Car Upgrades that Can Improve Insurance Costs

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

To reduce your car insurance premiums, you have to reduce the risk you pose to your insurer, and the two main areas of risk are safety and security....click here to continue reading

Investigating Suburbs Before You Purchase a Home

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A good location usually means lower home insurance premiums and a higher likelihood that your new home will increase in value over time....click here to continue reading

Spotting Security Problems Before You Buy a Home

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Very few people consider the security aspects of a home, which can be important in determining overall liveability and how much you pay for house insurance....click here to continue reading

Highest Car Theft Rates in Australia

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Australia has one of the highest rates of car theft in the world, and certain locations and models of car receive a lot more attention from thieves....click here to continue reading

Adding Extra Security Features to Your Car

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Security features you can install to make your car safer and reduce your car insurance premiums....click here to continue reading

Essential Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Keeping your home safe means keeping on top of all those little maintenance jobs that can become real hazards if left for too long....click here to continue reading

Are Your Car Modifications Safe?

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Modifying your car involves altering some aspect of it so that it is no longer in its original state. Many minor modifications do not require certification to be legal, but the question is, just how safe are they?...click here to continue reading

Making Sure Your Home is Safe in Winter

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bad weather can turn small problems into major hazards, so it pays to make sure your home is safe before the colder months arrive....click here to continue reading

Preparing Your Family for Storms

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Preparing for a storm means taking precautions to protect your family from danger, and the preparations are similar no matter where in the world you live....click here to continue reading

Repairing Minor Damage to Your Car

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If you have to pay an excess on your car insurance, some instances of minor damage are often better handled yourself, rather than claiming on your insurance....click here to continue reading

Where Should You Be Parking Your Car?

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Where you park your car can have a major influence on how safe it is and how safe you are as well....click here to continue reading

Recovering from a Break In

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Victims of burglary often experience feelings of anger, fear and loss and a sense of violation. Recovering from such a traumatic event involves several stages....click here to continue reading

Which Are the Safest Cars to Buy?

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Safety is now a major focus for car manufacturers, and when it comes to new cars in Australia, the top end of the market offers the most safety features....click here to continue reading

Do You Need Home Surveillance Equipment?

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT

When asking yourself whether you need home surveillance equipment, you first need to ask yourself why it is that you think you need it....click here to continue reading

How Better Maintenance Can Improve Your Car’s Security

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Regular maintenance improves your car’s security by protecting your car, protecting you and protecting your investment....click here to continue reading

How Security Can Add Value to Your Home

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Home security is a definite selling point these days and, while adding security features can be expensive, you are also adding to your home’s overall value....click here to continue reading

Testing Home Security in Your New Home

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Your new home is bright, airy and full of old-world charm, but how secure is it?...click here to continue reading

Maintaining Your Car Tyres

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Making sure your car tyres are in good condition makes sense. It can also save you money on repairs and fuel costs and all it takes is a few minutes a month....click here to continue reading

When Should You Change Your Oil?

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

How often you should change oil depends on the type of engine you have, the conditions you drive in, your vehicle’s age and how many kilometres it has gone....click here to continue reading

How Airbags Have Changed Car Safety

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Airbags have made a significant contribution to car safety since their introduction, reducing the likelihood of dying in a head-on collision by as much as 30%....click here to continue reading

Making Sure Your Home is Not a Target For Break-Ins

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

How do you tell if your home is an easy target for burglars?...click here to continue reading

Installing Your Own Alarm System

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT

These days, a competent person with basic handyman skills can install their own wireless alarm system in just an hour or so....click here to continue reading

Improving the Safety of an Older Vehicle

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

You are up to 10 times more likely to die when driving an older car in an accident than a modern car. Here are a few ways to make your older vehicle safer....click here to continue reading

Are You Trading Your Home’s Looks for Security?

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

How to improve security without turning your home into a fortress....click here to continue reading

Best Types of Window Security for Your Home

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Statistics show more than half of all burglars gain entry through unprotected windows, so it makes sense to increase the security around these vulnerable areas....click here to continue reading

Basic Car Safety Standards in Australia

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Car safety depends on a number of components working together as a system. That’s why we have strict safety standards to which all vehicles must conform....click here to continue reading

Choosing a New Car Stereo System

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

There are a lot of different makes and models on the market, but before you buy a new car stereo, you need to ask yourself a couple of important questions....click here to continue reading

How Maintaining Your Home Can Improve Security and Safety

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Regular home maintenance not only ensures that your biggest asset continues to hold its value, but it also keeps your home safe and secure....click here to continue reading

Adding Features to Keep Your Car Passengers Entertained

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Today’s car entertainment offers something for everyone and if you drive long distances or spend lots of time in traffic, there are many ways to stay occupied....click here to continue reading

Conducting a Home Security Check

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The main risks to home security are burglary, fire and household injuries, and the way to guard against them is to conduct a home security check....click here to continue reading

How to Find Your New Home’s Security Flaws

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The best way to discover security flaws is to inspect your new home from a burglar’s point of view....click here to continue reading

Car Manufacturers Struggle with Low New Car Prices

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

New car prices are the most affordable in over three decades. That’s great news for car buyers, but bad new for Australian manufacturers....click here to continue reading

The Best New Family Cars For 2012

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Fuel economy, flexibility and price are now the focus for car manufacturers and this can be seen in the range of new family cars....click here to continue reading

Security Features to Look for in a New Home

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If security is important to you, these are some of the basic features you should look for in your new home and even negotiate to have included in the price....click here to continue reading

The Warning Signs of Steering Problems

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Unlike some other mechanical problems, steering problems generally give you plenty of warning that something is wrong....click here to continue reading

Parts of Your Home You Shouldn’t Fix Yourself

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

When it comes to DIY, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, and there are certain jobs that should not be undertaken by anyone but an expert....click here to continue reading

Simple Ways to Improve Fuel Economy in Your Car

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If you can’t afford to buy a more fuel-efficient car, there are a number of practical ways to improve the fuel economy of the vehicle you currently drive....click here to continue reading

Preparing Your Home for Winter

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A general guide to weatherproofing your home for winter, listing general tasks we should all undertake when autumn rolls around....click here to continue reading

Safety Tips for Driving Alone at Night

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Staying safe when driving on the road at night is not just about road safety; it’s also about avoiding the potential dangers posed by other people....click here to continue reading

Teaching Your Child About Home Safety

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Childproofing your house is important, but educating your children about those dangers is by far the best way to keep them safe....click here to continue reading

How to Make Your Home Childproof

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Just as we take out home insurance to protect us from external threats, we must also take measures to protect our children from the dangers inside our homes....click here to continue reading

How Effective Are Car Alarms?

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Many argue that car alarms are no longer effective. Studies reveal they don’t noticeably reduce car theft and, in some cases, are actually increasing crime....click here to continue reading

A Short Guide to Child Restraint Laws and Usage

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Wearing a seat belt and ensuring your children are safely restrained is not only the law, it it also saves lives....click here to continue reading

Common Deterrents to Burglars

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Home security is not about turning your house into a fortress. Taking simple precautions and making some inexpensive adjustments is often all that is required....click here to continue reading

What Does the Future Hold for Car Safety?

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Instead of limiting the severity of accidents, some new technologies now have the potential to actually prevent an accident from occurring in the first place....click here to continue reading

Should You Use Monitored Alarms for Your Home?

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If you live in a high-crime neighbourhood, own valuables that are kept at home, or just want the best protection, a monitored alarm system is your best option....click here to continue reading

Do You Need Insurance in a Rental Property?

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If you’re a tenant, insurance isn’t compulsory but is highly recommended. If you’re a landlord, it’s absolutely essential....click here to continue reading

Driving Safety Tips for Country Roads

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Holiday accidents are often the result of city drivers unfamiliar with country driving conditions. Here are the potential hazards and tips on handling them....click here to continue reading

Different Levels of Car Insurance Explained

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We all need some kind of insurance when we get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, but the level of cover we choose depends on the value of the vehicle....click here to continue reading

What to Insure in a Strata Titled Property?

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Before you buy a strata-titled property, you should find out exactly what you are buying to determine the changes you can make and what insurance you'll need. ...click here to continue reading

Collectible Items You Should Insure

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If you’re the owner of expensive jewellery, artwork, antiques or a rare collection of any kind, it’s in your interest to have them insured....click here to continue reading

Illegal Car Modifications in Australian States and Territories

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Most modifications are perfectly legal in Australian states and territories, but here are some of the illegal ones that could void your motor vehicle insurance....click here to continue reading

How to Buy a Good Used Car

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The secret to buying a good used car is to do your homework. Here’s how to find a quality used vehicle that’s safe, reliable and reasonably priced....click here to continue reading

Reducing Your Insurance Premiums by Increasing Security

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Making your home more secure will not only reduce the likelihood of a break-in occurring, it can also reduce your home and contents insurance premiums....click here to continue reading

Tailor-Made Car Insurance Versus Standard Car Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

You might have a standard car insurance policy but you could be losing money paying for things you don't need. Car insurance companies that have tailor made policies can also provide clearer answers to what your comprehensive insurance actually covers....click here to continue reading

Why You Need Contents Insurance for Your Home

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

You might have your house insured but what about everything that is inside? Most people tend to underestimate the value of their belongings and only find out when it is too late....click here to continue reading

How to Teach Your Teenager to Drive

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Teaching a teenager to drive might be stressful but try and remember what it was like for you. A touch of patience and the right driving tips will put them on the road to a bright driving future....click here to continue reading

The Cost of Home Insurance Versus No Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

You might think you can save some money by not insuring your home and contents. However, it may be more costly in the long run if something goes wrong and you are uninsured or under insured....click here to continue reading

Car Safety for Different Age Groups

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

As we get older there are health problems that can cause problems with driving. It also becomes more important to keep your driving skills sharp....click here to continue reading

There's More than One Way to Protect a Home

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Keeping your family safe is probably your number one priority and while you might be careful outside the home what can you do to make your house safer?...click here to continue reading

Your Holiday Driving Check List

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

If you are heading off on a holiday it is important to drive safety and to ensure your car is well maintained. Before you go and enjoy your break make sure you complete a quick safety check- it could save you long delays while on holidays....click here to continue reading

How to Save Money in Your Household Budget

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Saving money on your household budget can seem like an insurmountable task sometimes. This is why you need to take small steps to change what you are paying, from insurance right through to groceries....click here to continue reading

How to Protect Your Vehicle from Thieves

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

We all worry about having our car stolen or broken into. There are ways to minimise the risk of your car or belongings being stolen....click here to continue reading

Keeping a Digital Inventory of Your House Contents

info@youi.com.au () — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

When it comes to home and contents insurance you may not know what you own if you ever have to claim. This is why it is a good idea to keep a digital inventory of your belongings which you can add to when you buy new items. This can make it easy to update insurance....click here to continue reading

When Is It Time to Sell Your Car?

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

We can all grow quite attached to our cars but there are often warning signs that it might be time to move on. Here we explore what some signs are your car might need replacing as well as how to let go and move onto a new vehicle....click here to continue reading

When You Should Update Your Home and Contents Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

We all become a little complacent especially when it comes to insurance. So why should you keep your home and contents insurance up to date? When will you have to check if your coverage has changed?...click here to continue reading

How to Choose and Live with Your First Car

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A first car is an important step into adulthood and it can also teach responsibilities as well as the joys and sadness that come with car ownership. Here are some important points to consider when buying a new car and keeping it maintained....click here to continue reading

Clean Out Your Clutter and Clean Up Your Life

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Is your home your castle or just your dumping ground? We explain how clearing out any unwanted clutter can give you more space as well as improve your overall lifestyle....click here to continue reading

How to Protect Your Home Against Fires

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

House fires are tragic events that can (in most circumstances) be avoided. How can you protect yourself against fires and make sure your home is safe in the event one was to start?...click here to continue reading

Choosing a Car for Family or Fun

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

If you have a family, chances are that you are more limited in your choices of what car you can buy. It doesn't have to be that way with the wide range of fun family vehicles that are now on the market....click here to continue reading

What To Do When You Have an Accident

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

We all dread that one day we will be in a crash and hope that it is not a serious one. Having car insurance will help you recover damages but there is still the immediate shock to deal with as well as what to do immediately after a collision. Although there are immediate actions you have to take, it is important to find out how you are covered when you go shopping for car insurance quotes.

...click here to continue reading...click here to continue reading

How to Prepare Your Home for Summer

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In winter we all tend to hibernate so it is easy to have summer roll in quickly after spring and not be totally prepared. There are many things that may seem obvious but without a summer 'to do' list you may not be prepared for the heat, storms and possible bush fires the hot weather can bring. Avoiding problems in Summer can be as simple as making sure you have a good Spring clean and a check around your house for potential problems....click here to continue reading

How To Find Yourself a New Car

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Finding a new car is exciting but you need to do it without too much emotion. You do not want to buy something that is too much to insure or repair if something goes wrong....click here to continue reading

Top Tips for Sharing a House

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Sharing a house can be difficult because of space and bill issues, so how do you ensure an easy going household?...click here to continue reading

How to Look for a New Home

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Looking for a new home is both nerve racking as well as exciting. While you may want to do it quickly it is something that should take some time as you will be living in it for some time to come....click here to continue reading

How to Get Repair Quotes After an Accident

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Immediately after an accident the first thing you are probably thinking is how can I get this repaired? The most important thing to do immediately is exchange details with the other driver, call the police if required and do not accept immediate fault for the accident if there is another driver involved so that everything can be processed under your car insurance. Once you have figured all of this out the first thing you will need to do is get the car off the road and to a repairer. If it is not driveable or not roadworthy or safe to drive, organise a tow truck.

...click here to continue reading...click here to continue reading

How to Find the Best Car Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Car insurance can be a little confusing so you need to know what you are looking for and how much to insure yourself with....click here to continue reading

How to Make Your House a Home

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

You might have purchased a house but you want to take steps to make it your home by putting your heart into it....click here to continue reading

Insuring Your Vehicle for Business Use

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

It is important to do the right research if you use your vehicle for business. Will it affect your premiums?...click here to continue reading

How to Calculate What Home Insurance Suits You

info@youi.com.au () — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Finding out what type of insurance you need can be difficult when you only need it when something goes wrong. So how do you know what will go wrong?...click here to continue reading

Dealing With Teenage Drivers and Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Getting car insurance when you have a teenage driver is very important. How do you make sure you get the right information when you are getting car insurance quotes?...click here to continue reading

How to Improve Your Home Security

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Improving the security in your home can mean you avoid having to claim on insurance as well as protecting you against break ins....click here to continue reading

How to Take Care of Your Car

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

It is important to take care of your car so that it is safer and also more enjoyable and reliable. Try these tips to improve your vehicle management....click here to continue reading

What To Consider Before Updating Your Home

info@youi.com.au () — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Doing your own renovations can come with a range of pitfalls. Being organised and forward planning will ensure your DIY efforts pay off....click here to continue reading

What Does Your Car Insurance Cover?

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

You may have car insurance but do you know what it protects you from? What should you look for in your insurance product?...click here to continue reading

Do You Need Home and Content Insurance?

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

You probably already have home and contents insurance so it is a good idea to understand why you need it. Understanding why might also help you to get the right coverage for you and save you money....click here to continue reading

Can Home Safety Save on Insurance?

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Improvements in your home safety and protection may improve the amount you pay for insurance and it most certainly will help protect you and your family....click here to continue reading

Why Different Cars Cost More to Insure

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

We all have cars that are our favourites but does the vehicle you love affect your car insurance? The size, type, age and cost of your vehicle can all end up affecting your premiums....click here to continue reading

The Consequences of Having No Car Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

If you have no car insurance, you need to consider what would happen in the case of an accident, theft or even a minor collision. Do you have the money to replace your car?...click here to continue reading

Cost vs Quality – Home Insurance Quotes

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

When you are looking for a new home insurance provider it is important to understand the difference between 'cheap' insurance and affordable insurance.

...click here to continue reading...click here to continue reading

4 Most Common Home Insurance Claims

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Unfortunately, the types of claims for insurance are common and the top four are burglaries, natural disasters, household accidents and fires....click here to continue reading

Top 5 Reasons to Have Car Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Don't have car insurance? Here are the top five reasons you should get some today and not leave yourself unprotected....click here to continue reading

Choosing Between New and Used Cars

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

There are some key differences to consider when choosing between a new or used vehicle. Not only will the cost differ but your insurance coverage could be affected as well....click here to continue reading

Top 4 Ways to Reduce Home Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

We all want to reduce our household costs and while home and contents insurance is necessary you can save money by doing your research....click here to continue reading

What Are Your Belongings Worth?

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Figuring out the worth of your belongings is vital when you are adding up your assets for insurance coverage. Here are some tips for figuring out what your house contents are worth....click here to continue reading

The 3 Best Speeding Fine Excuses of All Time

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to some of the funniest lines that have been used to get out of a ticket......click here to continue reading

Are You Happy With Your Coverage?

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to making sure that your home is adequately covered when you go to renew your plan. ...click here to continue reading

Pros and Cons of Leasing a Car

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide for people considering leasing a vehicle....click here to continue reading

5 Factors that Influence Your Home and Contents Insurance

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to the factors that influence the cost of your home and contents insurance policy....click here to continue reading

5 Qualities of Responsible Car Owners

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to taking better care of your car....click here to continue reading

Smells, Sounds and Sights that Mean Your Car is Not OK

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to picking up what your car is trying to tell you....click here to continue reading

House Swapping - The Latest Holiday Fad

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to what's involved with house swapping and the insurance requirements....click here to continue reading

Keeping Your Head in an Accident

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to staying calm in an accident. ...click here to continue reading

3 Common Causes of House Fires

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to house fires and their common causes and preventions....click here to continue reading

A guide for first-time property investors

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

So, you've made some leeway on your mortgage, or you've come into some unexpected funds, and you're considering making an investment. As far as investments go, property is one of the most sound ones you can make, so it's a good idea to have a look at the market and think about putting that extra cash into an investment property....click here to continue reading

Be Prepared on the Road

info@youi.com.au () — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A guide to being prepared for a breakdown....click here to continue reading

Renovating Your Dream Home

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A practical renovator's guide....click here to continue reading

Teen Driver Contract

info@youi.com.au () — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A contract for new drivers to sign with their parents....click here to continue reading

He Said-She Said -- What Happens When There's A Dispute Over Fault?