The primary function of tire tread is to divert water from beneath the tire to improve traction and avoid hydroplaning on wet roads. Once the tread is down to 2⁄32 inch (0.16 cm), the tire is no longer safe and illegal in most areas of the world. Look at your state or region's tire tread requirements provided by the transportation department.  Call or email your country's department of transportation or visit their website to locate tread laws. In some U.S. states, tires are considered to be legally worn out when they have decreased to 1⁄16 inch (0.16 cm) of their remaining tread depth. In the U.K., the minimum depth for tire tread is 0.0456 inches (1.16 mm) across the central 3/4 of the tread around the whole tire. All tires sold in the U.S. and most other countries have tread wear bars—small horizontal bridges that form between your treads at a lower depth. As your tires wear, these bars become flush with the tread. When the tire tread is even with these wear bars, it means the tread is worn to 2⁄32 inch (0.16 cm) and needs to be replaced immediately. When you look at your tire wear bars, be sure to look at the entire surface of the wheel and not just one isolated location. Take a Lincoln penny and place it upside down with Lincoln facing you in the center of the tread at the thickest part of the tire. If you can see the very top of Lincoln's head or the copper above it, replace the tire immediately. If you cannot see the hair on the top of Lincoln's head—meaning the tire tread is at least as deep as his forehead—your tire does not need replacing yet.  If you have a Canadian nickel, insert it between the tread with Queen Elizabeth's crown facing down. If the top of her crown is visible, the tire is below 2⁄32 inch (0.16 cm) and needs to be replaced. Tires do not wear evenly, so be sure to insert the coin at several points from the outside to the inside of your tires. Tires generally wear more on the inside, but over-inflated tires will wear more in the middle. For a more accurate tread depth measurement, use a tread depth gauge. Place the probe of the indicator in the center of one of the tire grooves on the outskirts of the tread. Remove the gauge by the barrel—taking care not to touch the probe—and note the tread depth. Continue this process for locations around the center tire grooves tire at least 15 inches (38 cm) apart and then average the numbers. Replace the tires if the depth is less than 2⁄32 inch (0.16 cm).  Repeat this process for the outer and inner circumferential grooves, and then average those numbers as well. To average numbers, divide the total by the number of individual measurements you made along the tread. Before using the tread depth indicator, push the tread depth gauge against a flat, hard surface and be sure it hits zero when it fully compresses. Don't place the tread gauge onto any of the raised surfaces or molded tread wear indicators.
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One-sentence summary -- Check your state or region for tread recommendations. Replace your tires if the tread bar is flush with the tire tread. Check the wear of your tread quickly by inserting a Lincoln penny into it. Use a tread depth indicator for a more accurate measurement.


Provide your contact information, like your cell phone number and email address, for your coworkers so they can reach you when you’re out of the office. Tell them when you’ll be available and how quickly you can be expected to respond. For instance, if you have to stay home because one of your children is sick, tell your coworkers that they can reach you between 8am and 5pm by phone, text, email, or Skype. Use your resources and help to develop others by training them on your projects.  Show them some of the things you’re working on and teach them how to do it. Have them take notes in a meeting that you don’t necessarily need to be at so you can free up more of your time for other work.  If you know that a certain employee is really interested in an aspect of your work, enlist them to help with that.  This gets some work off your plate while also helping them meet their goals. Review your other responsibilities and delegate tasks when possible.  Got some copying or shredding to do?  Ask an intern or administrative staff. As a working parent, you'll need a bit of leeway sometimes to balance your competing responsibilities. If the kids get sick or if Thursdays are super busy for you with their schedules, working from home that day might be beneficial.  Ask your boss if you can do this by offering them something in return.  Don’t just say, “Working from home will give me more time with my kids.” Instead, say, “The time I would save commuting on Thursdays would help me get those financial reports in to you quicker and with more detail.” You can also ask for flex time.  Perhaps you would like to work later on Mondays and get off early on Tuesdays.  Ask your boss if this would work for the company. Though many supervisors understand how hard it is to manage work and a family, some do not. If you feel that you have too much work to do, are constantly working nights, and have very little time with your family, have a talk with them and come prepared with solutions. Say, “I wanted to talk to you about my workload.  I come in early every day and take very few breaks, but I still can’t seem to get it all done unless I work late.  I was wondering if I could share some of my assignments with some of the new staff who are looking for more to do.” Working parents often have tons of meetings, events, and tasks to do during any given day. Keep your work life organized by keeping a calendar with all your meeting times and locations.  Make a tasklist at the beginning of each day and complete major tasks first and minor tasks as the day goes on.
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One-sentence summary --
Let your coworkers know how to reach you. Train one of your employees or interns to step in for you occasionally. Ask for flexibility at work in clever ways. Have a talk with your boss if your responsibilities become overwhelming. Keep a calendar and task list.