Metal RV safer in lightning?

Dear Heloise: How safe am I in my recreational vehicle during a lightning storm? The bulk of the RV is fiberglass, but it sits on rubber tires.— Henry U., Evergreen, Colo.

Henry, in the event of a lightning storm, go to the metal tow vehicle (car or truck) and get inside. The tow vehicle has a metal roof and sides, which allows the voltage to flow around the vehicle, keeping you much safer than being in a fiberglass box. Don’t depend on your tires to save you from a lightning strike in your fiberglass RV. If your RV is all metal, you’ll probably be OK.—Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise P.O. Box 795000 San Antonio, TX 78279-5000 Fax: 1-210-HELOISE Email: Heloise@Heloise.com

EMERGENCY CONTACT

Dear Heloise: Emergency contact information needs to be kept in several locations, especially while you travel. Both my wife and I have a copy, and we keep a copy in the glove box of our car and with our eldest son. Should anything happen to us while away from home, the police or hospital staff would know who to contact and what medications we take. As a diabetic, this is very important.— Scott G., Chapel Hill, N.C.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS?

Dear Heloise: My husband talked me into going camping, mainly to see if we were cut out for this sort of recreation. Having gone camping as a boy, he loved it and knew what to do, so he bought a tent, sleeping bags, camp stove and a few other items (hundreds of dollars’ worth of gear), and we went camping. We hated it. Our tent leaked a little during a thunderstorm, a snake crawled into the tent, and the bugs and dirt drove us crazy. A word to the wise: Don’t buy equipment before trying an expensive hobby. Instead, rent it, then see if the hobby is right for you.—Kevin and Karen D. in Tennessee

SCRATCHY BLANKETS

Dear Heloise: My blankets don’t come out of the dryer as soft and nice as they did when they were new. I use a dryer sheet, but it doesn’t seem to help. What am I doing wrong?—Sarah N., Lakewood, Wash.

Sarah, add some white vinegar to the rinse cycle, and they should be softer and fluffier. You can still use a dryer sheet, but dry the blanket by itself.—Heloise

USE FOR AN OLD BLANKET

Dear Heloise: Please tell your readers that if they have an old blanket or flannel-backed tablecloth, they should roll it up and store it in their car’s trunk. If ever stranded on the road, you can wrap up in it for warmth, or use it for shade from the heat, or to keep your clothing clean if you need to crawl under the car.— William A., Ames, Iowa

COUNTEROFFER

Dear Heloise: When an employer offers you a salary to work for them, always negotiate for more. If they won’t budge, you should discuss nonsalary compensation.—Allison A., Logan, Utah