DEAR HELOISE: The recent reader letter on an emergency road kit was informative and timely. We are planning a long road trip and will assemble a kit as outlined.
However, the recommendation of including a gas can needed a strong caveat.
Never, and I mean never, put a can of gasoline inside your car -- trunk included, but especially not in the passenger compartment. Gasoline and fumes are a bomb. Fumes from a supposedly "empty" can may easily ignite. A full can is a lethal disaster -- if the escaping fumes don't ignite, almost any accident is likely to result in an explosion.
-- Harry L., via e-mail
DEAR READER: Thank you for this very important warning. No one should carry a can of gas in a vehicle of any kind. An empty can with a cap, in case of an emergency, might be advisable, but drivers are better off filling up their gas tank frequently rather than risk running out.
DEAR HELOISE: A reader sent in the hint of using glow sticks when she travels. I have small 3-inch flashlights throughout the house and in a travel bag. They put out a good deal of light. I also carry a plug-in night light for the bathroom when traveling. In an emergency, you have good light to help yourself.
DEAR HELOISE: In addition to copying old letters, I suggest someone type them, then save them digitally on a CD. They will be easier to read.
My family found 500 pages of 70-year-old letters from uncles who died in World War II. I transcribed them, self-published a book and gave family members a copy. These men will no longer be unknown soldiers.
-- Michelle C., California
DEAR READERS: Do you have difficulty finding your luggage on the luggage turntable at the airport because it's black and there are so many black bags? Tie a red ribbon onto your luggage, or use an unusual luggage tag or a colorful pompom.
DEAR HELOISE: When I travel, I just hate having to pack a wet toothbrush with my other toiletries. Any suggestions?
-- Betty J., Florida
DEAR READER: Try drying your toothbrush with a hair dryer. Or you can buy a plastic travel toothbrush holder.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
MovieStyle on 07/20/2018