Speed is life. Never ever try to stretch a glide. Expect your engine to fail on each and every take off and have a plan and I mean a proper one, not a vague 'I'll turn into wind and set up correct glide speed.' Know all of the suitable fields around your own airfield and one's you visit often. If it's a new airfield check it out on Google Earth, look for some good landing areas. It takes seconds to look. If engine failure means crunching into a housing/industrial estate then don't fly from that airfield. Get as high as you can when crossing water. Don't bumble around at 1000-2000' because that's where everyone else is bumbling around. Get some kind of instrument rating. Look out, then look out some more.