It’s always a good idea to wear a safety helmet when you’re riding a bike. But it’s best to own a new one, rather than giving in to the temptation to buy a used helmet or use a very old one. A used helmet does not come with a previous owner’s history; if it’s been part of a crash, it can have cracks and damages inside that make the helmet useless. Old helmets deteriorate over time due to wear and environmental damage, and they often don’t meet current safety standards. While an old helmet is better than wearing nothing at all -- a helmet can reduce head injury by as much as 85 percent -- do yourself a favor and upgrade to a newer, safer helmet.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

One of the most effective ways to protect the life and battery longevity of your smartphone is to simply regularly power it down. Think of it this way: Would you leave your computer on for weeks or months at a time without ever turning it off? Many of us leave our phones on, charging or on standby for weeks at a time. This can take a toll on your phone’s speed and effectiveness. Think of your phone as a mini-computer and treat it the same way. Powering down at least once a week can have a big impact.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Are your outdoor solar lights not looking so bright? This is usually a very easy fix and may involve just replacing the battery. Solar lights use rechargeable batteries that are charged from the sun’s rays on integrated solar panels. Those batteries can be recharged about 1,000 times before they wear down or die out. To replace, remove the old battery and replace with a new rechargeable battery. Then recycle the old batteries for free in collection boxes at almost any hardware store. Also, wipe down the solar panels, since dust and pollen can make them less effective.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION