Thursday, October 28, 2010
Halloween Safety – The 411
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reports Halloween is consistently one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
In addition, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimates that children are four times more likely to be hit by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year.
It is advised not to go out in the car, unless very necessary. But in case one wants to go, it is very important to be cautious about the dangers and be alert.
Maintain a low speed limit, and do not accelerate more than 25 mph, in those areas where trick-or-treaters are present.
Always take care of children on the Halloween night when they walk on the streets between parked cars along the side of highway.
Avoid using mobile phone, navigation system, sound system, or other disturbing devices in those residential areas where the pedestrians might be present. It is also safe to take the children to an organized party.
Both adults and children should be safety conscious when celebrating Halloween this season. Prepare ahead with these useful Halloween Safety Tips:
MOTORISTS
• Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
PARENTS
• Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
• Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children’s companions.
• Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger’s home.
• Establish a return time.
• Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.
• Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
• Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
COSTUME DESIGN
• Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
• Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
• If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible.
FACE DESIGN
• Masks can obstruct a child’s vision. Use facial make-up instead.
• When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled “Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,” “Laboratory Tested,” Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics,” or “Non-Toxic.” Follow manufacturer’s instruction for application.
• If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
ACCESSORIES
• Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
• Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
• Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
TREATS
• Give children an early meal before going out.
• Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
• Wash fruit and slice into small pieces to have children snack along the way if they get hungry.
• When in doubt, throw it out.
Test your car safety IQ and see where you measure up. We were surprised what we didn’t know either.
From your friends at Honda Mall of Georgia, have a safe and happy Halloween weekend! We want it to be filled with happy and fun lifelong memories!
Friday, October 15, 2010
2011 Honda Civic Delivers Value, Efficiency and Luxury
Four engine and four transmission choices range from a 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine (Civic DX, DX-VP, LX, EX and EX-L), with either a 5-speed manual or an available 5-speed automatic transmission, to a 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine (Civic Si) with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Civic Hybrid is powered by a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gasoline-electric hybrid technology to enhance both fuel economy and performance, and is equipped with a continuously variable transmission.
Call our friendly staff today to learn about our latest Honda specials, demo a car, get details on any vehicle, request a brochure, discuss your trade-in or even talk financing on your next car. We are here to help you. Call us today at 877-891-3532.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Honda Remains Top of Green
Honda has won its fifth consecutive “greenest automaker” award from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Honda won by a single point over Toyota and Hyundai, which tied for second in the Union’s ranking of the eight largest automakers. In ranking the “greenness” of the companies — which account for 92 percent of cars sold in the United States — the Union examined the average per-mile smog pollution and greenhouse gas emissions of each automaker’s entire fleet.
“It was a photo finish, but Honda is still the champ,” Jim Kliesch, a senior engineer in the Union’s clean vehicles program, said. “Toyota was poised to take the lead but stalled in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Meanwhile, Hyundai’s fleet saw dramatic efficiency improvements, pushing the company into a title contender spot.”
As usual, American automakers brought up the rear.
Each company is ranked against the industry average of all eight companies combined. The average CO2 emissions of the eight automakers was 429 grams per mile. The average emissions of nitrogen oxides and non-methane organic gases — two major smog-forming emissions — was 0.147 grams per mile. The industry average was assigned a score of 100, and each automaker was ranked against that.
Honda finished with an overall score of 86, meaning its fleet is 14 percent less polluting than the industry average. Toyota and Hyundai followed with 87 points. Volkswagen was fourth with 90, while Nissan came in at 93.
“As with the past four awards, we accept this fifth honor as both recognition of our success and a challenge for the future,” John Mendel, executive VP of American Honda Motor Co. said in a statement. “We continue to accelerate our efforts to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions that contribute to global climate change.”
One interesting point to emerge from the data is an automaker can offer a full line of vehicles — from compacts to SUVs, as Honda and Toyota do — and still offer an eco-friendlier lineup. That pretty much kills the argument that cranking out nothing but econoboxes is the only way to be “green.”
Honda Mall of Georgia is so proud to part of a leading brand that not only thinks about safety and performance, but also our environment.