The Gun Guide: Safety Tips for First Time Buyers

The Gun Guide: Safety Tips for First Time Buyers

Buying a gun is one of your rights as an American, and if you’re getting into the market now, you probably already know that. While not everyone wants to buy a gun, your right to own one shouldn’t be taken away.

The fact is that you do need to be smart about owning a gun though. While it might be your right to own a gun, it is definitely your responsibility to make sure that it doesn’t harm someone or end up in the wrong hands.

Keep reading to learn more about gun safety in your home and out in the world. As a first time gun owner, you may not know everything there is to know about firearm safety, but a little information and vigilance on your part can get you there.

Get Training

Before you buy a gun, a very smart thing to do is to go through a gun safety course. While some areas recommend this to people buying guns, it is rare that is required. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth doing.

If you’ve never owned a gun before, getting some information from professionals who understand firearm safety can make gun ownership much safer. Knowing property safety procedures can also help you get the most enjoyment out of your gun if you’re buying for target practice, hunting or even home safety.

Lock Your Gun

At home, your gun should be locked away from your ammunition. Proper gun safes and storage for ammunition is essential.

Buy safes with combination locks that are only accessible to you.

Carry Properly

If you have a permit to carry your gun in your state, you may have the ability to move around the city with it. Obviously that doesn’t mean that you can walk around with your gun in your hand or on the passenger seat of your car.

Individuals that choose to carry a weapon should take great pride in their safety and ability to handle a gun in the open. One of the best ways to do this is to invest in a hip holster or shoulder holster that is made specifically for your gun.

Having the proper fit will ensure that there are no accidents when you’re carrying your weapon. It’s your responsibility to make sure your gun is safe, even when that gun is in your possession out in public.

3 Boating Safety Tips

3 Boating Safety Tips

Boating is an enjoyable activity that can be shared with family and friends. If you are the skipper of the boat, though, you will be responsible not only for the enjoyment of your guests, but their safety, too. It is important that onboard your vessel you have the necessary boat safety equipment. You should ensure that none of it is expired, it is completely filled and still operating as intended.

Most boating trips go out on the water and return with no problems, but just in case, here are three safety tips.

Pre-Departure Checklist

A pre-departure checklist helps ensure that your equipment is up to par. You will want to double-check that you have enough life vests on the boat, your distress signals are in good shape and the fire extinguishers are not expired. This is the time to also ensure your vessel if full of fuel and the oil levels are good. Even though you may not use them if you venture out during the daylight hours, you will still want to make sure all lights are operating.

Weather

Even on days when the weather is cooperating, it is still recommended that you re-check the anticipated weather conditions. Things can be different out at sea, so you should be aware of any weather patters that may form during your voyage. Clouds can suddenly darken and the wind can become a little more aggressive without a lot of warning. If you start to see these and other harsher weather signs while you are out on the water, it is better to turn around and head back toward land.

Use Good Judgment

Ultimately, boating should be fun. Amidst that fun, it is a great idea to exercise good judgment at all times. As the skipper, you should follow sea safety rules like driving at reasonable speeds, not consuming alcohol and being respectful of others who may be sharing the waters with you. Setting up a float plan before you head out is a good idea in case of an emergency, and designating an assistant skipper may ease some of your responsibilities.

Heading out on the water can provide a sense of freedom, relaxation and fun. With being the skipper of a boat comes a lot of responsibility. To have an enjoyable time, ensure you have completed a pre-departure checklist, checked the weather conditions and exercise good judgment.

Food Storage Recipe - Corn Flake Biscuits

Yummy biscuits!

Need:

1/4 cup of melted butter or margarine

1 cup crushed corn flake cereal

2 cups biscuit baking mix

1/2 cup cold water

Spread half of the butter in your baking pan.

Sprinkle half of the crushed cereal in the bottom of the pan.

Mix the water and baking mix until it forms the dough.

Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto that cereal.

Drizzle with the remaining butter.

Press the remaining cereal into the biscuits.

Place in the 425 degree, preheated, oven.

Bake about 10 to 15 minutes.

Food Storage Recipe - Baked Beans Ole'

Quick dish to make.

Need:

1/2 pound of ground beef

1 small chopped onion

Minced garlic clove

2 (16 oz) cans of pork n beans

1 cup picante sauce

In a skillet cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until done and drain.

Stir in  the remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and then simmer for about 10 minutes.

Stir occasionally.

Serve

How to Make Your Fireplace More Energy Efficient

With the cost of energy on the rise everyone is looking for ways to become more energy efficient when it comes to heating and cooling their homes. Families are doing many different things to achieve this goal. They are installing modern HVAC systems, they are upgrading their current system, and many people are installing wood stoves and fireplaces so they can burn wood. These are all great ideas, but did you know that if you have a fireplace you can increase it's efficiency as well. This article will cover several different methods of making your current fireplace more efficient.

How Your Fireplace Works

The first step to making your fireplace more efficient is to understand how it works. As we all know a fire requires oxygen to burn, it gets this oxygen from air. While your fireplace is burning wood two other basic principles are in effect. The first principle is that hot air rises, this means that you lose some of your heat up the chimney. The second principle is that cold air drops. This means that there is a constant flow of cold air coming down the chimney into your home. To make your fireplace more efficient you must reduce the effects of these natural processes.

Glass Doors

The first solution is to install a set of heavy glass doors in front of your fireplace. There are many different types of doors on the market, and they are reasonably priced making this fix one of the fastest and least expensive options. Fireplace doors are designed with small vents in the bottom that will give your fireplace an adequate supply of oxygen so it can burn. Glass doors also keep you from losing warm air from your home up the chimney. They also help to prevent cold air coming down the chimney from entering your home. Another benefit of glass doors is that many of them are ornate and beautiful which will add to the overall look of your fireplace and the room where it is located.

Fireplace Inserts

Installing a fireplace insert may be the best way to make your fireplace more efficient. While adding an insert will cost a little more, you will find that your home is warmer and that you burn less wood. A fireplace insert is much the same as a wood stove only it fits inside of your existing fireplace. You will have a liner installed in your chimney that will be connected to your insert. What makes and insert so energy efficient is that it is tightly sealed. You will not lose warm air up the chimney because the insert is tightly sealed with a heavy door on the front. This tight seal will not allow cold air into your home. Another factor is the liner, it is also tightly sealed so less cold air comes down the chimney in the first place.

Other Possible Options

Another option that is less expensive than the first two options is to line the back of your fireplace with sheet metal. This will act as a reflector and reflect more warm air into your home. If your fireplace is older check your damper. Over time dampers lose some of their ability to seal properly. If your damper is not sealing properly then replace it, this can make a big difference in the efficiency of your fireplace.

Michael S Bauer loves decorating, and has a passion for home styling. She currently is using her skills writing for ventless fireplace which is a highly competitive eCommerce company which provides home fireplaces of all types.