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Fabulous Free Apps

Let your phone answer questions about floods, fuel and food.

availability by phone -- a=Android, b=BlackBerry, i=iPhone    All apps information current at the time of publication

• Driver's Ed Lite (a,i)
  Take short quizzes to test your over-the-road knowledge.
• Cheap Gas! (i) & Gas Trip (a)
  Pinch pennies by heading to the nearest low-price gas pump.
• Carrr Matey (a) & Take Me to My Car (i)
  On the way to the ballpark, you spot an open parking space several blocks away. Use these apps to make sure you can find your way back. Just tap the "park here" or "drop anchor" button when you leave the car, and a map will give you return walking directions when the game's over.
• HealthMap (a,i)
  See maps of nearby flu outbreaks.
• RoadTripBingoLite (a,i)
  Spot the right road signs and vehicles, then yell "Bingo!"
• Thunder & Lightning (i)
  That thunderstorm sounds like it's heading your way. Figure out how many miles away it actually is with this app. Simply touch the "lightning" button when the sky flashes, followed by the "thunder" button when you hear the telltale boom. For even more precise calculations, input the current temperature.
• American Red Cross (a,b,i)
  Get news on places and people in need.
• Coffee Spot Lite (i)
  Locate nearby lattes when on the road.
• Wikitude (a,i)
  Point your phone's camera to find nearby landmarks and sights.
• The Weather Channel (a,b,i)
  Before starting a road trip, enter your destinations to stay on top of the weather (think summer flash flood and thunderstorm watches) while you're in less familiar parts of the country.
• Shazam (a,b,i)
  Point your phone at a radio, and this clever app will show you the name and artist of the song that's playing. Pass the time on those long road trips by racing to see who can be the first to guess the song correctly.
• Tagsellit (i)
  Find garage sales and flea markets nearby.
• AroundMe (i) & Where (a,b,i)
  In a new city and need an ATM fast? These apps tell (and show) you what's nearby, from a car repair shop and movie theaters to restaurants and grocery stores.
• Zillow (i)
  Track home values in your neighborhood.
• CardStar (a,b,i)
  It's time to lighten up the load on your key chain. This app lets you key in your store discount cards, gas rewards numbers and more in your phone. Merchants can then scan your phone's screen to retrieve the information.
• Planets (i) & Google Sky Map (a)
  The ultimate summer camping companions! The Planets app tells you what celestial bodies are visible. Aim the phone toward the sky, and Google Sky Map will point out stars, planets and constellations. Stellar!

 

 

Are Your Sidewalks Safe?

Sidewalks are an odd thing: Although they're considered a public right-of-way, it's homeowners -- not cities and towns -- who often are responsible for repairs, upkeep like snow removal and injuries from falls. Here's what you need to know:

Clues that walkways aren't pedestrian-friendly: You have tree roots that have lifted up sections of concrete; it's difficult to push a stroller past your house; or, due to settling, every summer rain creates a virtual pond on parts of your sidewalk.

Who's responsible for repairs? It depends. Sometimes it's local government. Sometimes it's the homeowner. Call your city's public works department or town engineer to find out.

And who pays? If local government is responsible, it foots the bill. If homeowners are responsible, they pay-although some communities subsidize the cost of repairs. If you're on the hook, ask whether you can hire your own contractor, have the city do repairs (at your expense) or do the work yourself.

Kiddie Pool Rules

Small, inexpensive pools are a summertime staple in many backyards. But whether they're inflatable or made of hard plastic, they may pose a danger to kids. Their soft or low sides can make it easy for a toddler to climb inside and drown, warns the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Follow these steps to help prevent a tragedy:

• Stay within arm's reach. Whether children are in or near a pool, they require constant-and close-adult supervision. "With little kids, you need to be within 'touch' supervision," says Kirstin Pires of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals.
• Empty the pool every night. "You don't ever want an unsecured body of water sitting around," says Pires. Or, if water conservation is a concern, secure the pool with fencing or a childproof barrier.
• Take a CPR class. Visit redcross.org for information.