The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Summer is finally here! Changes are you just might be taking a road trip this summer. Whether you are heading to the beach the mountains or Grandma’s house somewhere in between it is important to practice safe driving and travel habits. The Garage Plan Shop recommends following this helpful tips from a traffic safety researcher.

1.    Get your car in shape – Before you set out on your road trip, make sure your car is in tip-top shape. Have your oil changed, check your tire pressure and make sure your radiator is working.

2.    Map your route – Map your route before you leave. Know which highways and roads you’ll be taking. Check traffic websites and other sites like Google Maps to help you plan your route and navigate construction zones. If your road trip is going to take more than a day’s travel time, check travel websites and book hotel rooms along your route. Don’t forget to pack your maps and any hotel confirmation numbers.

3.    Know the safe times to travel – Studies show roadways are most dangerous late and night and early in the morning when drivers are more likely to be intoxicated or tired. Plan to depart around 7:00 AM and arrive at your hotel or destination no later than 10:00 PM.

4.    Plan for kids and pets – If you’ll be brining your kids or your pets on your road trip, it takes a little extra planning. Pack a cooler with snack and drinks for the little ones. Also bring card games, books, handheld games, favorite music CDs, books on CD or a few small toys to entertain the kids. Plan on playing travel games in the car to pass the time. Do not for get to bring food and water for your pets.

5.    Plan to take breaks – Plan to pull over every 2-3 hours to stretch your legs, give your eyes a quick break and recharge. Take a restroom break. Let the kids run around for a couple minutes and walk the dog. Everyone will feel better about getting back in the car again. If you are traveling with another driver, take turns driving in shifts so no one experiences fatigue.

6.    Do not drink – It is illegal and it is not safe to drink and drive. Research indicates just one alcoholic drink may cause important changes in cognition affecting your ability to drive and make good judgments. Avoid any alcoholic drinks while your road trip is in progress. Wait until you get to the beach or the mountains and enjoy your favorite adult drink with dinner.

7.    Wake up or catch up on sleep – According to statistics, in 2009 over 100,000 car crashes resulted due to drowsy driving. If you are driving in shifts with another driver, take a nap while the other person is behind the wheel. If not, pull over in a safe well-lit place and take a quick power nap. Better yet, plan to check into your hotel early in the evening so you can go to bed early and be refreshed for the next day’s drive.

We all look forward to summer vacations and perhaps road trips make for the best memories. Take these precautions to make sure this summer’s road trip is safe and memorable.

Tags: car safety tips, road trips, summer vacation, travel, travel safety, travel tips, vacation travel

Spring is right around the corner and with those first warm days comes the urge to get outside and do something fun. Now you can bike more safely and easily with your baby. Most of are used to constantly turning our heads to check on our babies behind us as we ride, but with WeeRide you can keep your eyes on the road. The child carrier attaches in front of your bike so you can focus on the road and keep an eye on your little one.

Tags: bike baby seat, bike safety, bike safety seat, biking with baby, biking with kids, safe biking

Thanksgiving is fast approaching. If you are preparing the turkey, stuffing and all the fixing for friends and family next week, The Garage Plan Shop wants to share these food safety tips with you, courtesy of Schnucks Supermarkets.

• If you plan to cook a frozen turkey, thaw your turkey in the refrigerator. Allow 24 hours of thawing time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey.
• Cook your turkey thoroughly. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast and the innermost part of the thigh should reach at least 165 degrees F. (If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can purchase one at most grocery stores and department stores.)
• If you plan to cook your stuffing inside the turkey, follow these guidelines:

                        1. Prepare the stuffing separately, prior to filling the turkey.

                        2. Loosely fill the turkey cavity with stuffing.

                        3. Allow the temperature of the stuffing to reach at least 165 degrees F.

• Store leftovers in the airtight containers and place them in the refrigerator immediately. Use leftover turkey within four days. Reheat it to 165 degrees F.

Following these food safety tips will ensure your family and friends enjoy the delicious holiday meal you serve this Thanksgiving.

For more information about food safety, please visit Schnucks’ food safety information page.

Tags: cooking, cooking tips, dinner, food safety, stuffing, Thanksgiving, tips, turkey

Most of us think of the garage as a place to park the car, but overtime, garages have evolved into much more that. The garage can accommodate many more needs than traditional parking. Designed to accommodate anything from one car to four or more vehicles, the sky is the limit when it comes to the many possibilities a garage can offer. If you need extra space to accommodate a specific need, consider garage plans. Here are some of the most popular uses for garage plans beyond parking the family cars:

Storage Space – Every family needs storage. Whether you lack a basement or your basement and attic are overflowing with boxes, a detached garage makes a great storage space for items that just don’t seem to fit in the house. A garage also works well for storing sporting equipment and the kids’ toys from bikes and scooters to ball gloves, golf clubs and even hunting gear. Garages can provide a place for storing seasonal items when not in use such as pool equipment and patio furniture when the weather turns cold and holiday decorations. Add shelves and cabinets for organization. 

 Lawn and Garden Shed – For those with a green thumb, there are always tools, supplies and other lawn and garden equipment that need to be stored rear round. A 1-car or 2-car garage offers a nice alternative to a backyard shed and features an overhead door making it easy to access big items like the riding lawn mower without a hassle. Furthermore, it is easy to add shelves or cabinets to accommodate small hand tools, flower pots, seeds and bulbs for your flower or vegetable garden. You might even want to add a planting table or utility sink.

Workshop – The family handy man will know just how to convert a detached garage plan into a workshop. Garages make a great shop area providing opens spaces to work on large projects with plenty of room to store tools, lumber and other supplies. They even offer enough space to add a workbench or table. Furthermore, there is no need to clean up your home repair project every time you work on it. A workshop will allow you to leave the project in progress and come back to finish it later. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can lock the garage keeping the kids from wandering inside and possibly harming themselves with sharp tools or heavy items.

Hobby Room – Hobbyists, crafters and woodworkers often need a large workspace to work on various projects that can be dirty, create a lot of dust or require a large layout space that a room in the home or the basement can’t provide. Building a detached garage plan for a hobby room keeps the mess outside and provides the hobbyist a space all his or her own to work on projects without disturbing the family or creating unwanted noises and messes inside the house. Garage plans offer more than enough storage space for tools and supplies. Add good task lighting, a workbench, table or other work surface and you’ll be ready to go!

Mechanic’s Garage – Auto mechanics and car enthusiasts might like a detached garage for working on cars rather than just protecting them from the elements. Furthermore, these people have a lot of tools and auto parts. Many designs include storage closets providing a great place to keep these items out of a child’s reach.  

Detached garage plans a very versatile and flexible accommodating many different needs. What can a garage plan do for you?

Browse garage floor plans at The Garage Plan Shop now.

Tags: craft rooms, Detached Garage Plans, Garage Plans with Storage, garage workshops, hobby rooms, sheds, storage garage

Last month The Garage Plan Shop posted our blog, “Is Your Garage the Ultimate Man Cave?” This is a follow up to that blog. ChangeofAddress.org recently posted a list of resources to help you create your very own Man Cave. The list includes fun and interesting sites that are sure to help you create a “guy space” where you can kick back and relax by yourself or hang with the guys whether it is a room in the basement, a bonus room upstairs or in the garage. So what are you waiting for? It is time to get started!

Tags: create a man cave, Detached Garage Plans, Garage Loft Plans, guy space, man cave, man caves, workshops