Weekend Safety Tips, Part 3: We’re Having a Heat Wave So Watch Your Tires!

Here’s the heat! It seems that we finally got past the chilly days of spring and summer has finally come with a vengeance. For the next few days, the forecast in New Jersey is calling for temperatures in the high 80s and 90s along with a high humidity. Although this is perfect beach weather, it can also cause some hazards to our health. Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and difficulty breathing could happen to anyone, especially the elderly. And those sun rays can cause a pretty nasty burn on your skin unless you’re protected!

Not only can this type of heat affect your health, but it can affect your car, especially your tires. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire failure causes about 11,000 auto accidents each year. With hotter temperatures, the heat of the highway and the speed of your vehicle can cause a breakdown of your tires, causing a blowout and possibly an auto accident.

In an ongoing effort to keep our clients informed, the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone would like to offer some summertime safety tips that will keep you and your loved ones safe as well as accident free this summer:

• Before driving your car anywhere, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under-inflated tires are the biggest cause for tire failure.
• Keep an eye on the tread of your tires. Tires with tread worn down to 2/32 of an inch or less should be replaced immediately. To find the proper tread, you can use the penny test.
• Purchase a tire pressure gauge and check your tire pressure at least once a month. According to the NHTSA, tires can lose one PSI every month so it’s important to keep an eye on it.
• And most importantly, if you do have a blowout, don’t panic. Make sure you have control over the vehicle and gently guide your vehicle to the side of the road. And remember to have a trusty spare in the trunk!

If you get into an auto accident and are in need of an experienced personal injury attorney, contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone immediately for a free consultation.