Sports Then and Now

Getting your bike prepared and ready before riding is critical for all riders. Whether you compete in races, relax on the trails, or use your bike for general transportation, you need to get it ready ahead of time for it to yield the best results. So, whether you’re trying to learn basic maintenance, or how to get a perfect fit, these tips will teach you how to get your bike rider-ready in no time.

Inspect the Brakes

Your brakes are a safety essential, and, as such, should always be in pristine condition. As such, you should check your brake pads often because they will wear out over time. To do this, take a simple ride in your yard and pump the brakes once you gain some speed. If they are not functioning 100%, it is time to replace the pads.

Lubricate the Drivetrain

You will need to lubricate your chain well before you ride. This ensures that the lube sinks into the chain deeply and dust and dirt do not stick to the chain, which will happen if you lubricate and then ride your bike immediately after. Add only a small amount and be sure to wipe off any excess.

Owning a gun comes with an increased level of responsibility and caution. You cannot be lenient about gun safety if you only handle guns and don’t shoot them. Whether you sell, manufacture, collect, or shoot guns, you have to maintain safety for all types of firearms. Below are a few ways you can optimize safety when handling a firearm.

1. Handle Your Gun Responsibly

Whether the gun has bullets or not, treat it as if it’s loaded. Don’t let anyone handle the gun if they lack basic safety knowledge and training. Do not automatically assume that a gun is unloaded or test it to see if it’s loaded or not.

This tip requires that you know how to operate the gun properly. Understand the basic mechanical components of how to load the bullets, how to unload, how to handle malfunctions, what to do if a bullet gets jammed, etc.

Not every firearm’s make and model is the same, so take the time to learn about your particular gun before handling it. Most gun shop owners or gun suppliers have in-depth knowledge of the guns they sell. Before you purchase a gun, discuss the necessary safety precautions with the seller to ensure that you understand everything you need to know about that particular weapon. If you’re new to handling guns, ask for recommendations that are good for beginners.

As a gun owner, your number one responsibility is to practice proper gun safety. One safety precaution involved ensuring that your gun is clean and properly maintained. A lack of cleaning and lubrication can result in a firearm that doesn’t fire when needed. So then, how do you clean your gun to ensure it’s in tip-top shape? The following tips will help you learn how to properly maintain your firearms.

Dissemble Before Cleaning

While this goes without saying, you should always unload and disassemble your gun as per the manufacturers’ recommendation before cleaning. Dissembling your gun enables you to gain access to the inner parts. Therefore, you can easily clean dirt and powder residues that would otherwise cause inefficiency. If you don’t have a user manual to refer to for dissembling, make sure you get a digital copy of the same firearm online. Ensuring that your weapon isn’t loaded will also prevent it from firing off unexpectedly.

Use Recommended Cleaning Brushes

In order to properly clean your gun, be sure to use a specially-made gun cleaning kit. Normally, these kits have brushes made of quality bristles to take out dirt even in their hard-to-reach spots. At the same time, these brushes can clean out the barrels without causing deterioration. Inside the cleaning kit, you should also get brush types that are made of nylon, phosphor bronze, cotton swabs, and stainless steel. Note that each brush type has a different cleaning purpose. Again, be sure to consult your manual.

You love your dog and want them to have a happy life. Therefore, you need to make sure you have the right accessories. If you take a trip to the store, you will quickly see there are lots of options available It is easy to get overwhelmed, and you need to make sure you select the right options for their health, safety, happiness, and overall wellness. What are a few of the top accessories you need to have if you are looking for items for your dog? Take a look at the list below, and do not hesitate to reach out to an expert if you need assistance finding the right items. 

The Right Bowl

You need to make sure you have the right food and water bowls for your dog. You may want to find a bowl that sits a bit higher up off the ground. That way, your dog does not have to bend over to eat and drink. You may even want to find a bowl with a maze inside of it. That way, your dog has to reach into the maze to pull out the individual kernels. This is a way to prevent them from eating too quickly, which may reduce the chances of vomiting.

The Right Collar

Next, you need to find the right collar. There are plenty of choices available, and you need to find one that is going to be comfortable and safe. A lot of dog collars come with other features as well. For example, you might be interested in the garmin alpha 200i, which allows you to track your dog. This is helpful if you are someone who likes to take your dog hunting or on other outdoor adventures. Find a collar that can stand up to rain, wind, cold, and snow. You should also find a collar that can be adjusted to match the size of your dog’s neck.

After purchasing your first firearm, you’ll need to spend some time learning important safety strategies for using and storing your weapon. Even seasoned firearm owners can sometimes forget the best practices for safety, and it is worth reminding yourself of why proper storage methods can potentially save a life. Keeping these benefits of storing your gun safely in mind helps you remember to make the right decisions when you aren’t actively carrying your weapon.

Prevent Accidental Firings

The majority of firearm-related injuries occur due to accidents. You’ll want to make sure to store your weapon unloaded. It is also important to store your gun in a safe location where it won’t be dropped or accidentally triggered. For example, it is better to store your firearm in a small, portable safe by your bed rather than in a box on a high shelf.

Protect Children From Accessing Your Firearm

If you have children in your home, then keeping them away from your firearm is one of your biggest priorities. Even if you are child-free, it is best to be prepared just in case a little one visits your home. Make sure to determine the size of the safe you plan on getting if you decide to purchase a safe from online companies like Security Centers, Inc. Quality safes should be big enough to hold all of your firearms, and they’ll lock up tight so that you know your weapons are always secure from little hands.

Being a legal gun owner can save your life. However, it’s important that you understand the importance of gun safety as soon as you decide you want to own one. It’s especially important if you have small children in your home.

In 2019, six percent of the gun-related deaths were deemed accidental or preventative. To avoid hurting yourself or someone you love, it’s best to practice proper gun handling.

Practice Makes You Comfortable

Everything from driving a car to cooking becomes easier when you have practice. Regularly practicing your gun handling from the time you leave the gun store will make you comfortable with your guns. Be sure to practice handling both a loaded and unloaded gun. That way, you’ll feel comfortable cleaning and using your gun when necessary.

For example, you should practice dry firing at least once a week. Dry firing is the art of doing everything you’d do with a loaded gun without loading it like maintenance and adding rounds. Live firing, which involves actively using your firearm, should be practiced at least once a month.

Consult an Expert

Some guns are better suited for beginners compared to others, and it is important to find the right weapons to learn gun safety with. Visit a gun store and ask what kinds of guns are best for beginners. Seeking advice from a professional will allow you to find a simplistic firearm that will not require too much maintenance. Once you have a little more experience under your belt, you can return to the store purchase some more advanced guns.