HINTS FROM HELOISE

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 HARRY, 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.

— Heloise DEAR HELOISE: When I travel, I just hate having to pack a wet toothbrush with my other toiletries. Any suggestions?

— Betty J., Winter Haven, Fla. BETTY, TRY DRYING your toothbrush with a hair dryer. Or you can buy a plastic travel toothbrush holder. — Heloise DEAR HELOISE: I follow you in The Northwest Indiana Times. 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.

— Mary Ann, Griffith, Ind. DEAR HELOISE: I would like to know where one can purchase a toad. Toads would be a blessing in my garden.

— Donna E., Wykoff, Minn. DONNA, A GARDEN SHOP or pet store might be your best bet.

— Heloise 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 70year-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., Orange County,

Calif. 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.

— Heloise SEND A MONEY-SAVING or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 782795000, or you can fax it to 1-210HELOISE or email it to Heloise@ Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

Copyright 2018

King Features Syndicate Inc.