How to Decorate Wine Bottles

Instead of recycling your empty wine bottles, you can reuse them by turning them into beautiful decorations for your home. You can easily decorate your wine bottles with supplies like paint, glitter, and string lights. However you decide to decorate your bottles, completely empty them of wine and rinse them out before you get started. Make sure you have a spot to display your works of art when you're finished with them!

EditSteps

EditPainting Wine Bottles

1. Get acrylic paints. Acrylic paints will stick to glass, so you won't have to worry about paint coming off your wine bottles. Get paints in multiple colors if you want to paint a more intricate design.^[1]
   
2. Clean your wine bottles with soap and water. Soak a section of a rag in soapy water and wipe down the outside of the bottles. Rinse the inside of the bottles out to remove any leftover residue. Let the bottles dry completely after you clean them.^[2]
   
3. Put tape on the bottles if you want a striped design. Use painter’s tape or masking tape. The spots you cover with tape won’t get paint on them, so they'll look like empty stripes when you remove the tape after painting.^[3]
   
   • Wrap a piece of tape around the base of the bottle to create a thick stripe going around the whole bottle.
   • Run a piece of tape from the bottom of the bottle up to the mouthpiece to make a vertical stripe.
4. Paint your wine bottles with a paint brush. If you’re doing one solid color, use a large paint brush to work faster. If you’re painting multiple colors on a single bottle, use a smaller paint brush so you can be more precise. Don’t forget to paint the bottom of the bottle and the rim around the mouthpiece.^[4]
   
   • You don't have to paint your wine bottles a solid color. Pick designs or patterns you like and paint those on the bottles instead.
5. Let your painted wine bottles dry overnight. After they've dried overnight, touch them with your finger to see if they're fully dry. If they're still wet, let them continue to dry before you cure them.
   
6. Cure your wine bottles in the oven for 30 minutes. Place your wine bottles in the oven and set the temperature to . Set a timer for 30 minutes, then remove the bottles from the oven.^[5]
   
7. Add decorations to your painted wine bottles. Glue on rhinestones or decorative gems. Add glitter to your painted bottles using an acrylic sealer as an adhesive. You can also hot glue decorative flowers onto the bottles.
   
   • Make sure you wait to add decorations after you've cured your wine bottles in the oven.

EditMaking Wine Bottle Lights

1. Drill a hole at the base of your wine bottle. Use a diamond drill bit designed specifically for glass. Make sure the drill bit is larger than the cord on the string lights you’ll be using. Lay your wine bottle on a flat surface over a towel so it’s steady. Slowly drill down into the base of the wine bottle (on the side, not the bottom of the bottle). As you’re drilling, spray water from a spray bottle onto the drill bit to lubricate it.^[6]
   
   • Ask someone to help you with this part. One of you can drill the hole while the other sprays the drill bit with water.
2. Remove the piece of glass you drilled out and rinse the bottle with water. Rinse directly over the hole you drilled to wash away any small pieces of glass around the hole. Let the bottle dry completely.^[7]
   
3. Feed the string lights through the hole in the bottle. Make sure you use string lights that have a plug on only one side or they won’t fit through the hole. Slide the end without a plug through the hole and keep feeding the cord through until all the lights are inside the bottle.^[8]
   
4. Use a bent coat hanger to pull some of the lights up the neck of the bottle. Bend a metal coat hanger so there’s a hook at the end. Slide the hook down through the neck of the bottle and use it to grab part of the string lights. Carefully pull the lights up through the neck of the bottle. Stop once the lights reach the mouthpiece and unhook the coat hanger from the cord.^[9]
   
   • Pull up 2 or 3 sections of the lights so they are firmly packed in the neck of the bottle. This will prevent them from sliding back down into the base.

EditDecorating Wine Bottles with Glitter

1. Scratch up the surface of your wine bottle with fine-grit sandpaper. Look for sandpaper with a grade between 120 and 220. Rub the sandpaper over the wine bottle in a circular motion until it’s completely covered with scratches. The scratches will make it easier for the adhesive you’re going to use to stick to the bottle.^[10]
   
2. Set up your work space in a well-ventilated area. Work outside if possible. If you have to work inside, open any windows in the room you’ll be working in and plug in a box fan. Lay down tarp or newspaper on a flat surface so glitter and adhesive don't get everywhere. Lay your wine bottle down on the flat surface.^[11]
   
3. Spray a section of the bottle with a spray-on acrylic sealer. The acrylic sealer will work as an adhesive for the glitter to stick to. Hold the sealer away from the bottle and spray from the base of the bottle to the mouthpiece.^[12]
   
   • You can find spray-on acrylic sealer at your local crafts store.
4. Sprinkle craft glitter over the sealer. Add the glitter directly from the canister. Completely cover the adhesive with glitter so there aren’t any empty spots.^[13]
   
   • Look for craft glitter at your local crafts store.
5. Turn the bottle and apply sealer and glitter to a new section. Continue to turn the bottle and add more sealer and glitter until the entire bottle is covered. If you notice bare spots, spray sealer over them and cover them with glitter.^[14]
   
6. Spray the whole bottle with sealer to seal the glitter in place. The extra coat of acrylic sealer will help the glitter stay on the bottle. Keep in mind that some glitter will come off the bottle when you touch it. Be careful when you're handling the bottle so glitter doesn't get on your clothes.^[15]
   

EditWrapping Wine Bottles with Twine

1. Glue the end of a roll of coarse twine to the bottom rim of your wine bottle. Use a hot glue gun so the twine is secure on the bottle. Apply a drop of hot glue to the bottom rim of the bottle (on the side of the bottle) and press the end of the twine into the glue. Let the glue dry for at least 1 minute.^[16]
   
2. Wrap the twine around the bottom rim of the bottle. Add a drop of hot glue every . Stop wrapping the twine once you get back to where you started. Let the hot glue dry for 1 minute.^[17]
   
3. Tightly wrap the twine around and up the bottle until you reach the neck. Don't leave any gaps between the rings of twine as you wrap it around. You shouldn't be able to see the glass wine bottle through the twine. Don't apply any hot glue to the rings of twine going up the base of the bottle.^[18]
   
4. Wrap the twine around the base of the neck of the bottle and apply hot glue. Add hot glue every like you did to the ring of twine at the bottom rim of the bottle. Stop once you reach the point where you first started wrapping the twine around the neck of the bottle. Wait 1 minute for the hot glue to dry before continuing.^[19]
   
5. Tightly wrap the twine around and up the neck of the bottle. Layer the rings right on top of each other so there aren't any gaps, like you did with the twine on the base of the bottle. Stop wrapping when you reach the lip at the top of the neck.^[20]
   
6. Cut the twine from the roll with scissors and glue the end to the bottle. Apply a dot of hot glue right below the lip at the top of the bottle. Press the end of the twine into the hot glue. Once the hot glue dries, your bottle is ready to be displayed!^[21]
   

EditThings You’ll Need

EditPainting Wine Bottles

• Latex-based paint
• Rag
• Tape
• Paint brush
• Oven

EditMaking Wine Bottle Lights

• Drill
• Diamond drill bit
• String lights
• Metal coat hanger

EditDecorating Wine Bottles

• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Spray-on acrylic sealer
• Craft glitter

EditWrapping Wine Bottles with Twine

• Coarse twine
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors

EditSources and Citations

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How to Become a Police Officer

Police officers protect the community by enforcing laws and maintaining peace. The job requires excellent judgment, hard work, extraordinary courage and the ability to think quickly under pressure. Knowing what to expect in job preparation, the police academy, and at the interview stage will help you get ready for your new career in law enforcement.

EditSteps

EditPreparing to Apply

1. Meet the basic requirements. You must be at least 18 years of age, have a driving license, and be a legal resident of the country you live in in order to become a police officer. Some police departments, however, require recruits to be at least 21, so double-check the age requirement with your local department.^[1]
   
2. Make sure your record is clean. Police officers are expected to act as role models in their communities, and any crimes committed prior to becoming an officer can disqualify you. Avoid using illegal drugs, drinking alcohol to excess, and associating with criminals. All of these behaviors can make it tougher to get a job as a police officer when it comes time to apply.^[2]
   
   • Having a felony conviction, a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, or a conviction for a crime related in any way to race (a hate crime) disqualifies you from being able to pursue a career as a police officer in most jurisdictions.
3. Start building good credit. When you apply to become a police officer, the department will run a credit check as part of your background check, and you will be penalized if your score is low. To build good credit, avoid accumulating debt, and pay your bills on time. Get a credit check now so you know exactly what financial state you are in.^[3]
   
   • If you don't have good credit, take steps toward building it back up. Even if your credit score is low, the efforts you make to attain better credit will show that you're a responsible person.
4. Develop a strong work background. Having work experience helps prepare you for the long hours and strict requirements of a police officer job, and it also gives you an edge over applicants with no experience. Your job experience doesn't have to be related to law enforcement, although that can help; any work experience that shows you're responsible and capable of doing a job well will help.^[4]
   
   • Consider taking a job that requires you to interact with the public. Police officers need excellent communication skills.
   • Other government jobs, such as a job at your local state park, can give you a sense of what it's like to work as part of a law enforcement team.
   • Some choose to join the military service for a year or two before joining the police force, as this prepares them physically and mentally for the duties of a cop. However, military service doesn’t exempt you from police academy in most jurisdictions.
5. Get physically fit. Police officers have to have quick reflexes, the ability to run short or long distances, and the strength to detain suspects. You'll have to pass a physical agility test to qualify for becoming a police officer, so start working out now to make sure you're in your best physical shape. Join a gym, work with a personal trainer, or just start running every day to get yourself in shape.^[5]
   
6. Go on ride-alongs whenever possible. Police officers are a familiar sight around communities and in the media, but in order to really understand what its like to be a police officer, you have to spend time on the job with one. Most police departments allow citizens to ride along with cops, so take advantage of the opportunity as often as you can!^[6]
   
   • To schedule a ride-along, contact your local police department.

EditFulfilling the Requirements

1. Graduate from high school. Alternatively, you can pass the General Education Development (GED) exam. Virtually all police departments require their officers to at least have a GED.^[7]
   
2. Consider higher education. Having a college degree is not a requirement for getting hired by most police departments, but it can help to have even a few years of education in a related field, especially if you plan to later become a detective or hold an administrative position. Law enforcement, criminal justice, or even pre-law are all good majors for prospective police.^[8]
   
   • Some departments provide tuition assistance to offers pursuing a degree.
3. Choose a police academy to attend. If you have a particular department in mind, choose that department’s police academy. If you are open to moving around in the future, whichever police academy is closest or offers the most flexible hours will be fine.^[9]
   
   • Not all departments have their own police academies. Be sure to check with yours first.
   • Police academies are usually part-time.
   • Tuition depends on location, but be prepared to spend several thousand USD.
4. Take the police academy screening test. Most police academies require applicants to pass a screening test before they can be admitted. The actual contents of the test depends on the jurisdiction, but expect to be asked questions that focus on your judgement, ethics, racial and gender biases, and other critical issues that police officers have to contend with. Some police academies require psychological screening tests.^[10]
   
5. Attend police academy. All potential police officers attend police academy for training. Large police departments usually have their own police academies, while smaller departments send potential police officers to academies in larger cities. Training usually lasts for about 6 months, and includes courses in a variety of areas, including:^[11]
   
   • First aid/CPR
   • State, federal, and local laws
   • Firearm use
   • Patrol procedures
   • Ethics
   • Investigation and report writing
   • Criminal law
   • Leadership
6. Pass examinations. Each department has different examinations you must pass in order to become a police officer. Examinations are usually administered to test your competence in the subjects and skills you studied in police academy. In addition to written tests, you will have to pass a practical exam that tests you in a hands-on scenario.^[12]
   

EditFinding a Job as a Police Officer

1. Look for open police jobs. Find out whether there are openings at your local police department. If there aren't, you may need to apply for jobs in other towns or cities. Consider factors such as location, cost of living, and crime rate when applying for police jobs.^[13]
   
   • Most police jobs are not publicly advertised. Call your local department for openings.
   • Applications vary by department, but most of them are long and complex. Be prepared to wait for months after applying to jobs.
2. Pass the department screening tests. Many departments have their own screening tests that are required before an interview. These tests are likely to focus on your ethical and psychological attitudes towards topics such as domestic violence, police brutality, racial bias, and mental illness.^[14]
   
3. Pass background and drug tests. It’s common for departments to administer drug and background tests before the interview even takes place, so be prepared to provide the necessary information with little warning. You may need to provide a hair or urine sample, a copy of your credit report, and full biographical information.^[15]
   
   • Be sure to tell the department beforehand if there is any reason you may not pass a test. For example, if you have recently purchased a house, your credit score might not be accurate.
4. Excel during your interview. If you are asked for an interview, do your best! Competition can often be steep for jobs in good departments. Bring your resume along, dress professionally, and make it clear that you have the right values and skills to become a police officer.^[16]
   
   • A police officer’s resume should contain their education, police academy training, work or military history, and any volunteer experience that might be relevant.
   • Be assertive. This is an important quality for a police officer to have. If you're feeling nervous in the days leading up to the interview, do a practice interview with a friend or family member to help build up your confidence.
   • Be honest. Don't lie about past crimes you have committed or mistakes you have made. Honesty and integrity are of utmost importance in police work.
   • Be prepared to discuss sensitive issues, such as police brutality.
5. Begin training. Accepting a job offer is only the first part of becoming a real cop! Most departments require extensive training before you’ll be allowed to operate independently. Attend the necessary training and courses required to help you learn how to do your job well.^[17]
   

EditTips

• Hiring for police officers is a very long process. Expect at least six months to lapse between beginning your job search and accepting a position.
• Knowing a foreign language will serve as an asset in certain federal agencies and urban departments.^[18]
• Practice writing and learn how to type at least 60 words per minute--you will be writing lots of reports!^[19]

EditRelated wikiHows

• Become a California Highway Patrol Officer
• Cover a Police Beat for a Newspaper
• Honor Your Local Police Department
• Prepare for a Police Patrol As a Policeman
• Act when the Police Pull You Over (USA)
• Become an Officer in the Military
• Get in the Police Force
• Become a Police Officer in New York
• Become a Police Officer in Ohio
• Become a State Police Officer
• Be a Good Police Officer
• Deal With Difficult Police

EditSources and Citations

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How to Fix Sinkholes

Sinkholes develop when soft rock underground—e.g. limestone, gypsum, or other carbonate rock—wears away over time. This is known as “karst” terrain. Eventually, the unsupported sediment above the underground hole collapses, leaving the sinkhole open.^[1] Typically, property owners don’t realize that their houses are built on karst terrain, and so sinkholes appear unexpectedly and without warning. To fill a sinkhole, you’ll first need to pour a concrete plug in the bottom of the hole. Then, fill the rest of the sinkhole with clayey sand and top it off with a layer of topsoil.

EditSteps

EditMeasuring the Sinkhole

1. Monitor the hole to see if it grows. Sinkholes are often triggered by weather phenomena, such as a heavy rainstorm. Once a sinkhole has formed, though, it can continue to grow, as further portions of limestone or other carbonate rocks fall away. As long as a sinkhole continues to grow on a day-by-day basis, do not attempt to fill it in.^[2]
   
   • Once the sinkhole has stopped growing and remained the same size for a few days, you can fill it in.
2. Probe the size and depth of the sinkhole. Only relatively small, shallow sink-holes can be filled by homeowners. Take a pole or stick (even a tree branch would do), and probe around in the sinkhole. Note how deep and wide it is.^[3]
   
   • Do not attempt to fill in a sinkhole larger than (m) in diameter.^[4] Large sinkholes can be deep and potentially dangerous.
   • If the sinkhole is deeper than chest height, do not step down inside of it. Deep sinkholes, and holes with steep walls, pose a high risk of collapse.^[5]
3. Call a professional landscaping company. If you’re concerned about working in and around a sinkhole, or if you think that the sinkhole is too large for you to fill, it’s time to call professionals. Use internet resources to find a local landscaping company, and explain that you’re hoping to have a sinkhole on your property filled in.^[6]
   
   • Landscaping companies will have more experience in dealing with this phenomena than the average homeowner.
   • When dealing with very large sinkholes, you’ll need to contact local authorities in the city or county in which the sinkhole has appeared.

EditPouring a Concrete Plug

1. Dig out the sinkhole’s outer edges. The sinkhole may be larger underground than it appears on the surface. To determine the true extent of the sinkhole, use a shovel to expand the size of the sinkhole. Continue to remove the edges of the hole until you reach a point at which the topsoil and sediment are supported by solid rock.^[7]
   
   • Also remove any loose debris that may be in the sinkhole: tree branches, pinecones, etc.
2. Mix dry concrete powder with water. Start out by pouring about a third of the concrete mix into a large basin, such as a wheelbarrow. Pour in about (1 L) of water, and mix thoroughly with a hoe or shovel. Continue to add water until the concrete is wet throughout and a heavy putty consistency.^[8]
   
   • You can buy 80-pound (36 kg) bags of quick-mixing concrete at your local hardware store or home-supply store.
   • The size and depth of the sinkhole will determine how much concrete you need to mix.
3. Pour a concrete plug in the sinkhole. Using the wheelbarrow and the shovel, pour wet concrete into the bottom of the sinkhole. This will prevent the sinkhole from deepening further, and will give a solid base to the subsequent materials you use to fill the hole.^[9] Aim to fill at least a quarter of the hole with concrete. So, if the sinkhole is (1.2 m) deep, fill it with 1 foot (0.3 m) of concrete.
   
   • You do not need to let the concrete dry before you move on to filling the hole with sand and soil.
   • A “plug” simply means that you’ll fully fill the bottom of the sinkhole with concrete.

EditFilling the Sinkhole

1. Add clayey sand on top of the concrete plug. Thick, clayey sand will provide a heavy filling for the sinkhole which prevents water from collecting in the re-filled sinkhole. Using your shovel, scoop the sand out of a wheelbarrow or truck bed and deposit it into the hole.^[10] Fill the hole with sand until it’s about ¾ full.
   
   • Sand can be purchased at most large hardware stores, home-supply stores, or landscape-supply stores. If none of these venues sell clayey sand, contact a building contractor in your area.
   • Most contracting companies will have a sand supplier that they may put you in touch with.
2. Fill the hole with topsoil. Fill whatever depth remains to the sinkhole with topsoil. This will bring the materials you used to fill the hole up to the level of the surrounding yard or terrain. Finishing the hole with topsoil will also allow plants to grow on top of the former sinkhole and stabilize the soil and sand.^[11]
   
   • Topsoil can be purchased by the bag at any gardening center or home-supply store.
3. Top off the hole with more soil in a few days. Over time, the sand and topsoil that you’ve added to the sinkhole will compact and settle. This will leave open room at the top of the sinkhole again. Use the rest of the topsoil to fill in the hole until it’s once again at the level of the surrounding terrain.^[12]
   
   • Repeat this process more than once, if necessary. The materials filling the sinkhole are likely to settle following heavy rain or runoff.

EditTips

• There are two types of sinkholes. Cover-collapse sinkholes appear in minutes, when weather phenomena (like a downpour of rain) cause the layer of limestone or other carbonate rock on top of the sinkhole to collapse rapidly. Cover-subsidence sinkholes collapse much more slowly, as underground limestone slowly wears away and unsupported topsoil and other sediment slip underground.^[13]
• Although not technically “sinkholes,” sinkhole-like depressions can appear when old building materials (leftover boards and planks, etc.) which were buried by construction workers near a building site, begin to decay. Soil will sink in on top of the decaying materials.
• If a sinkhole appears on property that you own, it’s your responsibility to repair. It would be worthwhile, though, to contact your insurance company and inform them of the hole.^[14]

EditWarnings

• If a sinkhole is threatening your house (or another structure), evacuate immediately. Sinkholes can grow without warning, and your top priority should be the safety of yourself and your family.^[15]

EditSources and Citations

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How to Paint Red Poinsettias in Watercolor

Poinsettias, because of their brilliant color, are highly regarded as Christmas decorations. In warmer climates, they grow wild, year round, and their distinctive spiky petals and leafs are a spark of color in many tropical landscapes. Learn how to paint red ones in watercolor. Ironically, the flower of the poinsettia are the yellow berries in the center of the blossom. The red and green are actually leafs. For the purpose of this tutorial, the red will be referred to as the flower, and the green, the leafs.

EditSteps

1. Observe your subject to start. Either an artificial poinsettia plant or a live one will give you the information you need to paint it. Look for the general shape of the blossoms, how many petals come from the center of each flower, what size and color are the central berries, what shape are the leafs, do the blossoms lie flat or form an umbrella shape, are there layers of red petals and how are they configured?
   
2. Position yourself with a sheet of 11 x 14" watercolor paper with the subject in view. Draw it in pencil. Begin by plotting out large circles for each blossom. If you are aiming for a realistic look, place a small circle within the larger one, but not exactly in the center to create the illusion that the flowers are pointing in various directions as if they were growing. Place small stems under them as if they were standing up.
   
3. Draw the petals coming from the center of each flower and having small stems, 1/2" long, emerging from under the berries. There are six main petals, so arrange them evenly around the center, allow them to become elongated ovals, and end in a point. For the veins, draw a slightly curved line down the center of the petal to give them the illusion they are lifting and curving at random. Fill in between each petal with a secondary set of petals for a lush, full flower.
   
   
4. Begin to draw leafs. They are a third layer of petals but will be distinguished as leafs by painting them green.
   
5. Sketch in the vase or container. It can be a store wrapper around a pot, basket, or vase. If the container is a basket with a handle, let it go off the top of the page to give the viewer the feeling of being involved, not seeing the arrangement from a distance.
   
6. Make your viewing vantage point be slightly above looking down at the flowers. The opening and bottom of the vessel, no matter what type, if it is round, will have curves at the lip and foot. They must be the same.
7. Prepare your paints by squeezing from tubes, out two shades of red, yellow, two blues, two greens, and a light and dark brown.
8. Paint the berries yellow and when dry, mask them out.
   
9. Paint the red flowers by wetting each petal with water getting into all parts, including the tiny stem at the base. Put undiluted red paint on the tip of your brush and touch it to the petal. The water will carry the paint to all areas that are wet. Add a second dot of another shade of red, if desired.
   
10. Scratch with an open paper clip, a sharp piece of a credit card, or a stylus, the vein down the center of the petal. If desired, do tributary veins off the main one. Alternatively, paint the veins with a liner or small brush, or use a combination of both techniques.
11. Paint secondary layer of petals darker to have them recede slightly. Darken the red by adding a touch of blue or green to it.
    
12. Paint the green leafs, varying them in hue and value. Have some greens lean toward the yellow, and some toward the blue. For the veins, do as you did for the petals.
13. Allow the piece to dry, set it away from you and look for holes in the composition. Leaf shapes are good fillers within the flower arrangement. For the all over composition, if the base looks too simple, add twining ivy or holly.
    
14. Draw, using a ruler, draw a line just below mid point to separate the table from the background. Wet the entire background, getting water carefully in around the flowers, using a soft wash brush. Make two juicy puddles on your palette of grey and tan. Just add water to the paint in the center of your palette and let the colors cancel one another out to make neutrals. Using a soft brush, paint grey on the top and tan for the table's surface.
    
15. Finish up!
    
    • 

EditTips

• Photos are good as a reference if you don't have actual flowers.
• If you prefer to do a stylized type of painting, have all the flowers facing forward, don't worry about curving the petals and leafs and add, perhaps, a border of gold on each side.
• To remove masking fluid, rub with a piece of rubber mat, the type used for drawer liners or to keep throw rugs from slipping. Or, simply rub with your finger and pull it up.

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How to Adjust Seating to the Proper Position While Driving

Driving with your seat adjusted properly will make you more comfortable and safe. There are different ways you can adjust your seat, like moving it toward or away from the steering wheel, changing the incline of the backrest, and moving the headrest up and down. Once your seat is adjusted for comfort and safety, make sure you're sitting in it correctly. Remember to always wear your seat belt!

EditSteps

EditUsing Your Seat Controls

1. Slide your seat until your knees are slightly bent when you're pressing the gas. Move your seat forward if your legs are completely extended when you press the gas pedal. Move your seat back if your legs are bent too much. Keeping your knees slightly bent while you drive will prevent knee pain.^[1]
   
2. Sit so there's a gap 2 fingers wide between the back of your knee and the seat. Place 2 fingers between the edge of your seat and the back of your knee. If you can't fit both fingers in the gap, slide your seat back until you're able to.^[2]
   
3. Raise your seat up until your hips are level with your knees. Raise the seat higher if you can’t see clearly out the windshield or windows. Don’t drive with your hips lower than your knees.^[3]
   
   • If your car doesn’t have a control to adjust the seat height, sit on a cushion to help keep your hips level with your knees. Make sure you’re not elevated too much or you’ll have to bend down to look out the windshield or windows.
4. Adjust the backrest so it’s reclined at about a 100 degree angle. Sitting reclined at this angle will decrease pressure on your lower back so you’re more comfortable.^[4] If your shoulders lift from the backrest when you turn the steering wheel, your seat is reclined too much. Move the backrest up more if you are hunched forward when driving. When the backrest is in the proper position, you should easily be able to reach the wheel, and your elbows should be slightly bent.^[5]
   
5. Move the headrest so the back of your head is centered in the middle. If your head is above the headrest when you’re sitting in your seat, move the headrest up. If the back of your head is exposed below the headrest, move the headrest down. Ideally, the top of your head should be level with the top of the headrest.^[6]
   
6. Adjust the lumbar support so it fits in the curve of your lower back. The lumbar support is the raised portion of the lower backrest. First, adjust the height of the lumbar support so the bottom edge is level with your waistline. Then adjust the depth of the support so it completely fills in the curve of your lower back.^[7]
   
   • If your seat doesn’t have lumbar support, roll up a towel and put it in the curve of your back while you’re driving.
   • You can also buy an attachable foam support to use in place of lumbar support if your seat doesn’t have it.

EditSitting in Your Seat Properly

1. Sit with your body all the way back in your seat. Your back should be pressed against the backrest, and your bottom should be as far back in your seat as possible. Avoid driving with your body scooched forward; if you can’t reach the pedals or steering wheel, adjust your seat, not your body.^[8]
   
2. Hold the steering wheel at a “9 and 3” position. Imagine the steering wheel is the face of a clock. Place your left hand where 9 o’clock would be on the clock. Place your right hand where 3 o’clock would be on the clock. Maintaining this grip will give you the most control over the wheel.^[9]
   
   • Always drive with both hands on the wheel. Driving with one hand twists your spine, which can lead to back pain.^[10]
3. Keep your left foot on the footrest when you’re not using it. If you’re driving a manual car, only move your left foot when you’re using the clutch. If you’re driving an automatic, you should never move your left foot from the footrest. Keeping your left foot flat on the footrest will help support your back and pelvis while you’re driving.^[11]
   
4. Wear your seat belt so the strap goes across your pelvis. Don’t wear the strap that stretches across your lap over your stomach. In case of an accident, you want the strap to catch onto your pelvic bone, not your stomach.^[12]
   

EditVideo

EditRelated wikiHows

• Set Rear‐View Mirrors to Eliminate Blind Spots
• Stop a Car with No Brakes
• Stay Out of a Truck's Blind Spots

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via Peter