MassDrive Blog

So you’re taking a trip this holiday season. Good for you! You deserve some time away with family and friends. Besides having a great time, your top priority on vacation should be keeping yourself and your fellow travelers safe. We’ve come up with a list of helpful tips to keep in mind: Research your destination before you leave. For example, if you’re traveling to a country with unsafe drinking water, it’s important to know this beforehand to avoid becoming ill. If traveling abroad, make multiple copies of your passport. Keep one at home and bring a few on your trip. Keep your actual passport in the safe in your hotel room. If you’re traveling with children, make sure to never leave them unsupervised. If you’re visiting a place where people speak an unfamiliar language, travel with a guide of the language’s important phrases. Do not flaunt any cash or... [...]
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Winter is coming, so it’s time to consider an important question: How can you stay safe while driving during one of the most dangerous times to be on the road? There are plenty of precautions you can take to protect yourself from the harsh conditions you’ll likely face behind the wheel this winter. Here’s some to keep in mind: Before driving, utilize a snow brush and ice scraper to prevent anything from falling on your windshield or side mirrors while driving. Make sure your vehicle is completely defrosted prior to pulling out of your driveway. Driving slow is the way to go during a winter storm (but the best option is staying home, if possible). If you must drive in a storm, try to take a back road rather than the highway. Don’t attempt to drive through a storm without a full gas tank, proper oil levels and a... [...]
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Halloween is right around the corner, which means scary things are lurking. After all, what could be more frightening than witches, clowns, and other creepy characters banging on your door asking for candy? We can think of a few things. Imagine that in the midst of entertaining trick-or-treaters, your dog devours a pile of chocolate that you accidentally dropped on the floor. A few hours later, he requires immediate medical attention. Imagine that you awaken at 2:00 A.M. Halloween night to rowdy teenagers throwing rocks at your brand new car. You run outside and find that your vehicle is badly damaged. Imagine that you are all set to leave for a vacation to Aruba, just to wake up to a November 1st blizzard. The storm leads to the cancellation of your flight. All of these situations sound pretty scary, right? They get even scarier if you don’t have insurance.... [...]
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  As the cold weather settles in, we’re spending more time inside our homes. It’s that time of year where we turn up the heat, cook indoors, and build a few fires. It is a fun time to cozy up with family and friends, but it’s also important to stay aware of household heating and electrical hazards. Follow these safety tips to make sure that you keep your home as safe as possible.   Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms Colder seasons increase the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a clear, odor-less gas produced by sources such as heating systems, fireplaces, and car exhaust. Installing carbon monoxide alarms in your home is an easy way to alert you of this potentially fatal gas. Similarly, place smoke alarms in each bedroom, in the hall, and on each floor of your home. Alarms should also be tested monthly to... [...]
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You made the move to a brand new place. Nice! Maybe you got a new job, or you’re starting another year of college, or maybe you just relocated for the sake of trying somewhere new. Chances are you spent a lot of time looking at different apartments, online or in person. Where can I get the best price for the location I want? How much will utilities be? This one’s perfect, but it’s three-bedroom – where can I find a third roommate?! But that’s all behind you now. You found it, the perfect place! And maybe it’s not totally perfect (who doesn’t love a fixer-upper?), but you’re willing and eager to embrace it as your new home. So with the stress of vigorous apartment hunting behind you, what’s next on your to-do list? Furnishing the place Maybe you are coming to the new town with a truckload of all... [...]
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Nothing says summer like a good ole barbecue! Although this summer staple can be loads of fun, it can also be a dangerous activity if the right precautions are not taken. Before you light up, keep in mind these helpful safety tips from the NFPA! Before You Grill – Where you place your grill is crucial for safety.  Keep grills away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves, overhanging branches and other flammable structures. You never know when a grease fire may start and when the wind may blow it a little too far. – Check the major connection points between the gas (propane) tank hose and the regulator and cylinder, and where the hose connects to the burners. Tighten if loose. – Check the propane tank hose for the potential leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose using a brush or... [...]
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There’s nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer’s day! As Bay Staters, we are lucky enough to have some fabulous breweries in Massachusetts.  From the ever popular and well known Samuel Adams Brewery, to the new and amazing Downeast Cider hall, these places offer truly refreshing drinks and exciting experiences. Downeast Cider Hall– 200 Terminal St, Charlestown, MA 02129 This cidery takes apples and alcohol to a whole new level. Started in 2011, the Downeast Cider Hall’s success grows from a truly exceptional and refreshing hard apple cider.  The founders and owners stick to strict policy of “No Shortcuts” in their cider making process. The company gets all of their apples from local farms and fresh presses to create a truly amazing, and refreshing taste. They refuse to use artificial ingredients, use juice from concentrate, or any shortcuts that may diminish the quality and flavor of their delectable cider.  While... [...]
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Now that warm, beautiful weather has arrived, it’s time to spend every moment possible outside. Massachusetts has some amazing outdoor venues for music lovers. Here’s a list of our top must-see venues this summer! Blues Hills Bank Pavilion Boston Harbor Located on the Boston Harbor side, this amazing outdoor amphitheater continues to host incredible musicians and bands. This year’s line up includes incredible classics like Steely Dan, to indie rock band Florence and the Machine, to new comer Lindsey Stirling and much more. Seating over 5,000 people, it’s one of the largest venues in the area. Enjoy 35 concession stands, and beer, wine and champagne available throughout the pavilion. With the top of the line sound system, spectacular lighting capabilities and cool harbor breezes, this venue has everything you need for a perfect concert experience. Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell Charles River Esplanade This charming and historic outdoor venue... [...]
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While this year won’t be the same without the Patriots, Super Bowl Sunday is a long-standing American tradition! One of our favorite ways to enjoy the delicious food, great beer and of course an incredible game of football is by throwing a Super Bowl Sunday party! Here are a few tips to help you have the best party possible. 1. Prepare for a feast! Easy finger foods are good go-to’s for super bowl parties. While there is nothing wrong with the old stand byes such as buffalo wings, dips, chips, and pizza, there are some awesome ways to mix those up and get a little creative with your appetizers. Pinterest has a TON of recipes for those of you first time chefs to make you look like hors d’oeuvre connoisseurs! If you’re cooking for a large group of people, consider whipping out that crockpot! There are so many easy... [...]
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While the snow looks beautiful coming down, it makes driving way more difficult and increases your chances of an accident significantly.  While it’s best to avoid driving in bad weather as much as possible, it’s often unavoidable- especially in New England. If you must hit the road during a snowy winter wonderland, keep these tips and tricks in mind to stay as safe as possible. 1. Drive Slow– This must be the most obvious thing to state when it comes to driving in the snow, but it has to be said. Really though, actually drive slower and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. The snow makes the roads slippery and reduces visibility so you’ll need to give yourself plenty of more time to react to changing conditions. This advice is heavily aimed at those who drive SUVs, 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive cars. While those type of cars do offer some... [...]
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