Is dust blowing, is it windy, is there a chance of water spray? Once you determine the environment is within your comfort level I advise proceeding with a system lending itself to sensible film and basic digital camera care.

Dust can play havoc if one has a haphazard approach to changing lenses. This is where attention to the job and environment will help save grief later on. Dust spots on favorite photos is a most frustrating experience and attention to digital camera care will help reduce the problem.

Handling your lens. Be aware that skin acids from your fingers can affect the delicate coating on your lens. Therefore it's best to avoid touching the lens surface for any reason.

The lens cap will certainly help protect your lens. Having it on the lens whenever you're not shooting is a good idea. Some cameras come with the lens cap attached to the camera with a thin cord making it harder to lose. The good news is you can purchase individual lens caps!

Using a camera bag will help protect your equipment as well as protect it from the elements. A regular house vacuum will work, as needed, to clean out debris and dust which accumulates over time. It can certainly be tempting to travel light, in which case even having a plastic bag to protect from unexpected rain is a good idea.

Choose wisely for the appropriate location, mainly a cool, clean and dry space. It can be tempting to hide it in a vehicle glove compartment to "keep it safe" but those storage spots become hot spots very quickly.

Whether you have a point-and-shoot or digital SLR, basic camera care for your camera will help ensure years of photography fun. While most of these tips are applicable to the digital SLR there are some basics which apply to both, such as keeping equipment clean.

For modern dishwashers, rinsing the dishes is unnecessary and a waste of water and time. Most dishes can go from the table to the dishwasher without a stop at the sink. Some dishwashers come equipped with special cleaning cycles that automatically adjust by the soil level of the dishes in order to save water and energy.

Cooling system

• Remove radiator cap
• Inspect condition of radiator's interior to determine if it needs flushing
• Test anti-freeze with test strips or ratio gauge
• Replace or top-off antifreeze as necessary