- Quiz:
Test Your Lightning IQ
Will you and your family be safe during spring storm season? Take
our lightning quiz and see if you're on your toes.
- Not-So-Sweet
Charity
Donating your car can be tremendous benefit to a charity, but
can have some drawbacks. Avoid potential pitfalls with these tips.
- Count
Your Losses
Not all losses are bad. Find out how you can benefit from yours.
- Spring
Checklist
After the blast of winter, make sure your home is in shape for
spring.
- Hot
Air Bags
Watch out if you need to replace the air bag in your car.
Make sure the one you buy isn't "hot."
What's
Your Lightning IQ?
More
than 70% of all lightning strikes occur between June and
August. Take this true/false quiz to test your knowledge
of lightning safety-before the thunderstorms roll in.
|
| T |
F |
1.
Never touch an injured person who has been struck by lightning
because they may carry an electrical charge. |
| T |
F |
2.
Women are hit by lightning more often than men. |
| T |
T |
3.
Lightning kills more people in the United States than
tornadoes or hurricanes. |
| T |
T |
4.
If your hair stands on end, a lightning strike is possible. |
| T |
T |
5.
You are in danger if you hear thunder.
(Check
your answers)
|
|
Not-So-Sweet
Charity
It's usually
a win-win transaction: You donate your used car to charity and get
a tax deduction, while the charity gets much-needed funds. So how
can you end up a loser?
Most donated
cars are sold at auction. Problems arise when you don't properly
transfer the title, and the person who buys the vehicle fails to
register the car or purchase insurance. If the car remains registered
in your name, you can be held liable for moving violations or traffic
accidents involving the new owner.
Goodwill Industries,
the first nonprofit to accept vehicle donations back in 1978, recommends
these steps:
- Ask
about donation paperwork.
At Goodwill donors sign over the car's title to Goodwill and receive
a receipt. The donor also receives by mail an IRS Form 8283, required
for all tax deduction claims of $500 or more.
- Turn
in your registration and license plates.
Go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to turn them in or re-register
them to a new vehicle. Give the DMV a copy of your donation receipt.
- Cancel
your insurance coverage.
Act on all of
the above quickly: Most cars are resold within a few days of being
donated.
Count
Your Losses
You may be able
to take a tax deduction for an uninsured property loss if it meets
certain IRS guidelines. The loss must occur from what the IRS defines
as a "sudden," "unexpected," or "unusual" event -- such as a flood
or earthquake. For more information, ask your attorney or tax preparer
or consult IRS Publication 547, "Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts."
It's available online at www.irs.gov.
Spring
Spruce-Ups
A harsh winter
can take its toll on your home. Cross these tasks off your spring
checklist to keep you and your property safe.
 Inspect
exterior faucets for damage and cracks.
Clean
the chimney of ashes and shut the flue for the season.
Check
for rotting or loose boards on decks.
Ensure
that gutters remain securely attached.
Inspect
the air-conditioning system and change the filter.
Check
for peeling paint or loose caulking around windows.
Hot
Air Bags
About 50,000
air bags are stolen out of cars each year, says the National Insurance
Crime Bureau (www.nicb.org). What
happens to the air bags, which each cost about $1,000 new? Unscrupulous
repair shops may buy them on the black market for $50 to $200 and
pass them off as new -- charging customers and their insurance companies
a much-inflated price. To protect your car, consider using a lockable
steering wheel cover to prevent air-bag theft. If your air bag needs
to be replaced, use a reputable repair shop. And, if possible, ask
to see the air bag prior to installation, suggests NICB. If the
air bag is new, it will be packaged in a sealed container from the
manufacturer.
Lightning
Quiz Answers:
1.
False: An injured person does not carry
an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Call 911 and administer
first aid.
2. False:
84% of all victims are male.
3. True:
Lightning kills an average of 73 people per year based on documented
cases.
4. True:
You may also have a tingling feeling. Seek shelter immediately.
5. True:
Follow the 30/30 rule. When you see lightning, count the seconds
until you hear thunder. If it's 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm
is within 6 miles of you and is dangerous. Seek shelter indoors
or in a hard-top car. Then wait 30 minutes after hearing the last
thunderclap before leaving shelter.
Did You Know?
The Fourth of
July is peak time for lightning storms. However, lightning can strike
any time or anywhere. Don't get zapped by nature's fireworks. Learn
how to ensure
your personal safety against lightning.
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