If you’re like me, you’ve had your fair share of struggles trying to keep your black power chain braces looking nice and neat when you wear them with your favorite suit. It’s not like they don’t make chain brace guards, it’s just that nobody seems to sell them anymore. The good news is that there are things you can do if your power chain colors to prevent future damage and prolong the life of your favorite power chains! Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way…
The importance of having a backup plan
It’s best not to rely on a single point of failure when it comes to your career and future. You might feel secure at your company, but what happens if you get laid off? What happens if there’s a period of inactivity in your field, or new technologies make certain jobs obsolete? If you have no backup plan and everything is dependent on one company and one job, then you could be setting yourself up for disaster. Having more than one irons in fire will help ensure that even if something goes wrong with Plan A, you’ll still have plenty of options available. This can mean having multiple clients, multiple employers, multiple skills—or all three! Having a variety of options will keep you safe should things go awry. And if they don’t go awry? Well, then you just made sure that they did!
How to choose the best batteries
Rechargeable batteries are often touted as being better for our environment, but that’s not necessarily true. Electric cars use nickel-metal hydride batteries, which contain toxic substances. When you throw them away, they also release heavy metals into landfills and create dioxins. Even when disposed of properly, rechargeable batteries can contaminate groundwater. It’s best to opt for disposable alkaline batteries over rechargeables, as they don’t contain any hazardous materials. If you want to make sure your battery is safe, look for a black plastic casing or a black power chain brace around it—that means it doesn’t have mercury in it. Plus, alkaline batteries last longer than their lithium counterparts. The next time you need some new AAAs or AAAAs, opt for disposables over rechargeables!
The benefits of carrying more than one battery
Never keep a charging device plugged in when you’re not actively using it. When you’re on vacation, take your phone off its charger once every few days and let it run out of battery. If you have a tendency to sleep with your phone at night, plug it into an outlet timer (available at most hardware stores) that shuts off automatically after 90 minutes. The next morning, even before you grab coffee, unplug it from its charger and use up some of that juice—you don’t want your smartphone discharging overnight. Keeping more than one charged battery on hand is also smart; they can be kept in your bag or desk drawer for emergencies. And remember: Don’t leave a charging mobile device unattended while it’s plugged in!
Checking your power bank everyday
Unfortunately, batteries aren’t eternal. If you use a power bank on a daily basis, you should check it once a week or so for damage. Look out for any signs of wear and tear—the seams could be broken or water could have gotten into them. Even if there isn’t physical damage, make sure it’s not losing its capacity quickly; that means taking note of how long it takes to charge each time and keeping track of how many times you use it before it needs charging again. If your power bank is getting old, replacing it may be necessary to avoid any inconveniences down the line.
Checking the connections every few months
A good idea is always have a large bucket of water close by and something ready to throw on small fires, like baking soda or even dirt. If you are still working in a shop, get yourself some braces color wheel. A lot of older models can break down, resulting in sparks and potential fires. Keeping fire prevention top-of-mind can save you a lot of trouble in future years. Many tool manufacturers take very little responsibility for repairing older tools and making sure they’re up-to-date with current safety standards.
Watch out for fire hazards
Unplugging or switching off appliance or machines that use electricity can be a life-saving action in an emergency, especially if it is caused by electrical fires. You should also consider installing carbon monoxide detectors, checking for gas leaks and setting up smoke alarms where appropriate. A lot of households already have these safety devices installed as standard but it’s worth rechecking. Make sure you are aware of what fire exits are available should you need to evacuate; and make sure that any disabled persons in your household know how to use them too. If you have black power chain braces with metal, then it is strongly recommended that you refrain from removing these during a blackout as they could potentially act as a conductor and therefore increase fire risk.
