Problem: Article: An angle grinder is a power tool that is highly effective for breaking U-locks and most other kinds of locks. It's the most powerful and quick method of slicing though U-locks, but in order to handle it responsibly you need to take a few safety precautions. You practice and feel comfortable with your angle grinder before using it on your U-lock.   Put on work gloves to protect your hands, as well as goggles to stop any flyaway material from getting in your eyes. Don't wear any loose clothing or jewelry when you operate the angle grinder. Make sure that you are using the right sized disc for the grinder and that the grinder is able to go up to maximum speeds. If your U-lock is locked but not attached to anything, clamp it with a vice attached to a table. If the lock is fastened around a bicycle, adjust it so that when pressure is applied to it, it doesn't move but stays in relatively the same place. Hold your angle grinder using both hands at an angle of 15-30 degrees. Hold your angle grinder a few inches away from the U-lock and turn it on. Use both hands to hold the angle grinder and slowly bring the blade against one of the U-shaped sides of the U-lock. Don't be alarmed when you see sparks fly; even if they touch you they won't hurt you. Hold the blade against the side of the U-lock until it cuts through. This can take anywhere from 15 seconds to a few minutes.  Be very slow and deliberate when you use the angle grinder. Don't push or exert force with the grinder. Just hold the blade against the lock and wait as it chips away. If exert force while you cut, you will cut through the U-lock and then push angle grinder past it to cut whatever is behind the U-lock. If you are trying to take the U-lock off your bike or the handle of a door, you will need to create one more cut to be able to dislodge it. Use the same method to cut the U-lock as you did for the first cut, this time cutting through an area a few inches from the first cut. Stop when you complete the cut. After you finish using your angle grinder, turn it off. It's important as a safety precaution to turn it off immediately after you are finished using it. After you make the second cut, a section of the U-lock should have fallen away to make a gap in the lock. Take the U-lock off, store your angle grinder, and throw away the remains of your lock!
Summary: Take the right safety precautions. Turn on and angle your angle grinder. Cut through the U-lock with the angle grinder. Make another cut a few inches from the first cut. Turn off the angle grinder and remove the U-lock.

Problem: Article: Your parents want you to stay safe. That's why they have rules. If you're not sure what the rules are, sit down with your parents and write out a list together, so you both have something to refer to. The rules might cover who you can have over (if anyone), whether you can go outside, and whether you can take phone calls. While break-ins are unusual, they can happen. The best thing you can do is keep the doors and windows locked when you're inside. That way, someone can't just walk in without your permission. If your family has an alarm, learn how to set it so it can protect you while you're home.  Set the alarm to "Stay", preferably "Instant", so that police are notified in the event of a break-in. If someone comes to the door, it's best to ignore it if you don't know the person. If the person is delivering a package, ask them to leave it or come back later. Don't tell them you're by yourself. It's also important not to tell people over the phone that you're by yourself at home. If someone calls for your parents, you can say, "They can't come to the phone right now. Can I have them call you back?" Even though you're home alone, you don't have free rein to do anything you want. You still need to stay away from dangerous things. Don't play with matches, knives, or guns, for instance. Also, don't take medications unless you know what you're doing. Don't mix chemicals and cleaners you find around the house, as it can create fumes or liquids that can hurt you. If something happens or you don't know what to do, call your parents or another trusted adult. They can walk you through the situation so you feel safe again. It's best to know your parents' cell phone numbers by heart, so you'll always be able to call even if you can't see the list of emergency numbers.
Summary: Follow your parents' rules. Lock the doors and windows. Avoid opening the door to people you don't know. Stay away from dangerous items in the house. Call your parents if you need to.

Problem: Article: This will make it easier to paint it. Most numbers can be just unscrewed. If they were hammered into the post, you might have to pry them off; keep in mind that if you pry the numbers off, you might bend them. If that happens, you will have to get new ones. This will not only remove any mold, moss, and mildew, but it will also give you a smoother surface to work on. You can use wood filler or paste. Smooth the paste down using your fingers. If the paste is too sticky and grainy, dip your finger in water, and try smoothing it down again. You don't have to do this, but it will give you a smoother finish. Use a large paintbrush or a foam roller to apply an outdoor quality primer. This will give you a smoother surface to work on. Wait for the first coat to dry before applying a second one. You can use a large paintbrush or a foam roller to do this. Apply the paint using long, even strokes. Sometimes one coat will be enough, but usually you’ll need at least two coats in order to get enough coverage. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next. You can leave them as they were, or you can update them with a new look. Prime the numbers using an outdoor quality spray paint primer that's intended for metal. Once the primer dries, apply an outdoor quality spray paint. You can use any color you want, but a contrasting color might make them more visible. Just because a paint feels dry does not mean that it is fully dry underneath. Check the label on your paint can for exact drying times. Some paints require only 2 to 4 hours to dry and cure, while others require anywhere from 6 to 72 hours. If the letters were screwed in, simply place them back on the post and put the screws back in. If the letters were hammered in, you might remember how difficult it was to remove them. To prevent this from happening again, consider getting some screws, and screwing them in instead.
Summary:
Remove any numbers from the post. Sand the post down if you have not already done so. Consider filling in any holes and cracks. Apply two coats of paint primer to the post. Paint the post using an outdoor quality paint. Wait for the paint to dry before applying a second or third coat. Consider priming and painting the numbers. Let the paint dry all the way before moving on. Re-attach the letters.