ENSURE YOUR SAFETY IN WINTER

Dear Heloise: I’ve seen tips for winter gear to keep in the car in case you get stuck. May I add one more important point?

I would keep a large candle the size of a coffee can and something to light it in your car. You would be surprised how much heat is given off in a closed car. However, make sure you break a rear window. This way you don’t have to start your car and waste gas trying to stay warm. – Jim B., via email

Jim, this might be a way to stay warm. However, if a driver is stranded, keeping a thick sleeping bag in the trunk might be a better idea. You can crawl in and it’s probably a little safer than having a flame in your car.

If a sleeping bag isn’t possible, use a few blankets to stash in the back seat or trunk. Make sure you also keep a bag of dry, clayey cat litter to use for traction under tires in the snow. — Heloise

WALK SLOWLY IN ICE AND SNOW

Dear Heloise: Every year there are accidents on icy roads that could have easily been prevented if people had remembered to either use chains or winter tires on their vehicles – or simply drive slower! Where does someone go in the world that is more important than their life? Slow down…you’ll get there!

As a police officer, I have seen too many accidents because someone was in a hurry. This includes the man who caused a three-car accident but also survived. Unfortunately, his wife and three daughters did not. According to all witnesses, he was significantly exceeding the speed limit. – A reader, via email

LIFE SKILLS

Dear Heloise: A few years ago, my son handed me one of his shirts and said, “Mom, two of my buttons came off. Sew them on for me, okay?” I said, “No, you’ll sew them on.”

We had an argument about gender roles and I told him that hand sewing was a life skill and not a gender role. I wanted my four boys to learn to take care of themselves instead of constantly depending on a woman.

Now they know how to do laundry, cook, clean and hand sew buttons onto their shirts. Getting boys to learn and complete these tasks will help them live in the real world as adults. As they get a little older, I hope they appreciate the skills they learned because their mother insisted they learn how to do these things. – Linda Y., Amarillo, Texas

Linda, I agree with you. It is important that everyone can master simple tasks. This also includes girls learning how to change the oil in the car, mow the lawn and much more. The more you know, the better off you will be and the safer you will live. — Heloise

WHAT’S THE PASSWORD?

Dear Heloise: Three days ago we received a call from someone saying it was our grandchild and that he had been in a terrible accident. They needed money, otherwise the hospital wouldn’t help them. My husband said calmly, “What’s the password?” We had taught our grandchildren to use a password when they needed immediate money or help. The caller hung up. – Paula S., in Connecticut

USPS WEB ADDRESS

Dear Heloise: In case of potential scammers, your readers should know that the United States Postal Service web address is www.USPS.com. However, they usually only send emails in response to a request or action, such as a change of address. – WC, by email

SEND A GREAT NOTE TO: [email protected]

(c) 2024 by King Features Syndicate Inc.