Tips for Driving and Parking on Black Friday

While Black Friday shopping may bring exciting deals and the fun of finding a bargain, the traffic and parking can be a challenge. Parking spaces are limited, people always seem to be in a rush to get to the next stop and the roads are congested. But with a little planning, you may be able to avoid the added stress driving and parking can create. As you head out to tackle your holiday shopping this year, remember these Black Friday traffic and parking tips.

Plan Your Route Before You Go

Checking out the sales ads and figuring out where you need to go before leaving your house can help keep your day moving smoothly. Popular Science suggests creating a driving route based on what stores you plan to visit. Prioritize your route by the items you want the most, which stores have great deals or which retailer opens the earliest, says The Balance. By not bouncing from one side of town to the other all day, you may be able to maximize your shopping time and get done earlier so you only have to deal with a few hours of traffic on Black Friday.

Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.

Take Advantage of Navigation Apps

With so many bargain hunters looking to get to their next stop, you may want to consider downloading a traffic app before the big day. Techlicious notes that there are a number of navigation apps available that can help you plan the quickest route, avoid traffic jams and provide turn-by-turn directions.

It can be helpful to enter your route into your GPS device or cellphone ahead of time, so you’re ready to navigate the busy roads. And, if your app provides traffic information, it may help you find a better route if the crowds are backing up traffic.

Avoid Distractions

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), both drivers and pedestrians are likely to be distracted and rushed during the holiday season — stating that the number of accidents spikes each year on Black Friday. On a day when traffic is heavy and you may feel rushed and flustered, the last thing you need is an accident. To limit distractions, put cellphones away and leave the music off.

The NSC recommends that drivers avoid cutting across lanes on roads and in parking lots. Use extra caution when backing out of parking spots, and watch for pedestrians, especially children and parents pushing strollers. Remember to keep a safe distance from the car in front of you and use extra caution throughout the day.

Park With Care

Between drivers looking for open spots, jam-packed lots and narrow aisles, Black Friday parking can be an accident waiting to happen. But by remembering these simple tips from International Parking and Mobility Institute, you can take some extra precautions that may help prevent major problems:

• Back out slowly and carefully: Use your mirrors and back-up camera (if you have one), but do not rely on them completely. Always turn and look around all sides of your vehicle while slowly inching out of your spot.
• Be especially aware of pedestrians: When driving down a parking lot aisle, go slowly so you have time to react if a pedestrian steps in front of your vehicle. Look to see if anyone is getting in or out of a nearby car before pulling into or backing out of a parking spot. Be especially watchful for small children, who can be difficult to see from inside your car.
• Park at a distance: If you park farther away from the store or mall doors, there are often fewer cars vying for spots. Plus, it might give you a quicker and easier exit when you leave.
• Be a considerate driver: When parking, make sure you are centered in the lines and that you’ve left enough space for other drivers to open their doors. Also, do not block other spaces while waiting for a spot.

With so many people out on the road the day after Thanksgiving, you may run into some unexpected hassles — no matter how well you plan. While you can’t predict what Black Friday traffic will be like, if you remember these tips and take the necessary precautions, things may go a little more smoothly.

Originally published on November 24, 2014.

The post Tips for Driving and Parking on Black Friday appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

The 7 Spookiest Cities in the U.S.

Things that go bump in the night. Faint cries coming from empty rooms. Shadowy figures that fade from view. It’s all deliciously creepy fun.

If you’re a ghost hunter or you just love feeling a chill run up and down your spine, hop on the road to visit these seven destinations that are well known for their spooky history.

• 

  1. Mackinac Island, Michigan

  Why it’s spooky: Being on the island is like traveling back in time — cars have been banned and people get around with bicycles, on foot or by horse and carriage, according to Mackinac.com. With a rich history that includes Native American legends and military lore from Fort Mackinac, the island has its fair share of ghost tales.

  Most famous ghost: The ghost of a young man named Harvey famously haunts guests at Mission Point Resort, the Mackinac Island Town Crier reports. Harvey died on the bluff behind the hotel. Today he’s said to turn on lights when guests are sleeping, steal or rearrange their personal items and appear on the bluff on starry nights.
• 

  2. Salem, Massachusetts

  Why it’s spooky: It should be no surprise that the location of the Witch Trials draws flocks of tourists every year to this Eastern port city. In the ancient cemetery in the center of town, the gravestones of people involved in the 1692 trials still stand next to a new monument bearing the names of the people who were executed during that difficult time, according to Smithsonian.com.

  Most famous ghost: Bridget Bishop, a wealthy owner of a local tavern, was the first woman killed for witchcraft during the Witch Trials. She is seen regularly at the Lyceum Bar and Grill, which was built on the site where Bridget owned an apple orchard, according to the Travel Channel.
• 

  3. Charleston, South Carolina

  Why it’s spooky: This Southern city boasts 300 years of reported hauntings, according to the Travel Channel. It’s a very well-known destination for those who love all things eerie, so much so that there’s even a series of bestselling ghostly novels, the Tradd Street mysteries, by Karen White, set in the city’s antebellum mansions.

  Most famous ghost: Reported ghost sightings are plentiful in Charleston’s White Point Garden, where 50 pirates were hanged in the 1700s. Their spirits are said to haunt this popular tourist attraction to this day. Visitors report unexplained cold spots on hot days, and have seen shadowy figures floating between the trees.
• 

  4. New Orleans, Louisiana

  Why it’s spooky: New Orleans’ association with voodoo, ghost stories and vampire novels makes it an eerie place on the brightest of days, not to mention on foggy nights.

  Most famous ghost: The ghost of notorious pirate Jean Lafitte is said to make regular visits to his old haunt, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar on Bourbon Street, where he is rumored to have hidden a treasure before his death, Travel+Leisure reports. Patrons and employees alike have reported seeing his red eyes glowing behind the fireplace downstairs, staring at them before disappearing.
• 

  5. Savannah, Georgia

  Why it’s spooky: For all of its Southern charm, Savannah is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the country, with many of the historic mansions, pubs and inns having their own resident ghosts, the Travel Channel reports.

  Most famous ghost: The City Hotel on Bay Street (now the Moon River Brewing Co.) had an unexpectedly rough history, according to the Travel Channel. Legends include a bar fight that ended in murder and, amid the tensions of the Civil War, a mob of customers brutally beating a visiting New Yorker. It’s reported that apparitions appear on upper floors and bottles are thrown by invisible forces. But if you feel a push in the billiard room while no one’s around, it might be Toby, the ghost of a young boy.
• 

  6. St. Charles, Missouri

  Why it’s spooky: St. Charles, where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark started their famous expedition to explore the area west of the Mississippi River, is home to historic shops and restaurants in buildings that date back more than two centuries — and nearly all of them have a story about ghostly hauntings, Minnesota’s StarTribune reports.

  Most famous ghost: According to local legend, the spirit of a little girl floats in and out of many shops and restaurants on South Main Street, and an elegantly dressed couple regularly waits for a table at a restaurant, only to disappear when the host or hostess arrives to seat them, the StarTribune reports. There’s even a story that tells of a ghostly dog that ambles down Main Street. But the most famous ghost is the Lady in White, who is said to stand in front of the church in the old cemetery at the center of town, smiles at people who notice her and then fades away.

  Image courtesy of Explore St. Louis.
• 

  7. Charlotte, North Carolina

  Why it’s spooky: Spirits are said to float in and around many of the Civil War-era homes and restaurants in the historic district of this city that is otherwise dripping with Southern charm, the Travel Channel reports.

  Most famous ghost: The Cajun Queen, an old mansion that was converted into a restaurant, is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a woman who once lived there, according to the Travel Channel. Because the bar is located in what was her bedroom, she supposedly haunts those who are bold enough to stop for a drink.

Originally published September 26, 2016.

The post The 7 Spookiest Cities in the U.S. appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Road Trip: 10 Unique Museums Worth Seeing

While national monuments, big-city entertainment, beaches or theme parks may be your ultimate destination, there are often quick stops along the way where you can see something new and break up your road trip.

Here are 10 museums that celebrate the unusual, from action figures and funeral history to matchsticks and aprons. If you plan to hit the road with family or friends this year, consider making a detour to one of these archives of the odd — or do your own research to find a niche museum that fits your interests (there’s sure to be one out there).

While they may not be the reason you plan the trip, these stops could be the best (or most memorable) things you see on your next vacation.

• 

  1. The Museum of Bad Art

  Location: Somerville, Massachusetts (2 miles north of Boston)

  This just might be the perfect stop for comic relief if your road trip takes you near Boston. Founded in 1993, it exhibits — and celebrates — artwork that is “too bad to ignore,” in the words of co-founder and permanent acting interim executive director Louise Reilly Sacco. “Our curator can’t go past a thrift store without stopping in to see what he can find,” she says. “It’s got to be sincere. If somebody sets out to make something bad, it shows, and it’s just not interesting.”

  Photo: “Charlie and Sheba” by Anonymous, courtesy of The Museum Of Bad Art
• 

  1. The Museum of Bad Art

  What you need to know: The collection is housed at the Somerville Theatre. Admission to the museum, housed in the theater’s basement, is one movie ticket or a free pass from the museum.

  Exhibit highlight: “Sunday on the Pot With George” is Sacco’s longtime favorite piece in the museum. “It’s pointillist (a painting technique in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image), which I understand is a very difficult thing to master,” she says. “So somebody put all this work and effort into a picture of a man in his tighty whities sitting on a toilet. Why would you do that? But it’s just wonderful.”

  More information: www.museumofbadart.org

  Photo: “Sunday on the Pot With George” by Unknown, courtesy of The Museum of Bad Art
• 

  2. The Mütter Museum

  Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  Next stop, Philly! Perhaps more on the serious side, this museum of medical history is part of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia and seeks to “help the public appreciate the mysteries and beauty of the human body while understanding the history of diagnosis and treatment of disease,” according to its website.

  Serious, however, doesn’t mean boring. A large collection of “wet specimens” like brains, plus medical instruments, bones and more are on display in a 19th century “cabinet museum” setting.

  Permanent exhibits include “Broken Bodies, Suffering Spirits: Injury, Death and Healing in Civil War Philadelphia;” the Hyrtl Skull Collection of 139 human skulls; and “The Soap Lady,” a young woman whose body was exhumed in Philadelphia in 1875 (a rare chemical reaction had caused her flesh to turn into a soap-like substance).

  Photo: Main Gallery, courtesy of The Mütter Museum.
• 

  2. The Mütter Museum

  What you need to know: The Mütter Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission ranges from free to $18, depending on your age and status. Backpacks, luggage and strollers are not allowed inside.

  Exhibit highlight: This is one of only two places in the world where you can look inside the head of one of the most well-known geniuses — Albert Einstein. Sections of Einstein’s brain are part of the museum’s permanent collection.

  More information: www.muttermuseum.org

  Photo: The brain of Albert Einstein on display, courtesy of The Mütter Museum.
• 

  3. Vent Haven Museum

  Location: Fort Mitchell, Kentucky (5 miles south of Cincinnati)

  Next time you’re on a road trip near northern Kentucky or Cincinnati, plan ahead to stop at this museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism. It dates back to 1973 and houses more than 900 dummies, along with photos, playbills, letters and books, according to its website. “Our tourists are usually travelers who are looking for an off-the-beaten-path type of experience,” says the museum’s curator, Lisa Sweasy. “It is the only museum in the world dedicated to ventriloquism.”

  And you don’t have to be a ventriloquist to enjoy it. “I am not a ventriloquist and knew very little about it when I first heard of Vent Haven,” Sweasy says. “After 16 years of being associated with the museum, however, I would say I am very interested in its history.”

  Photo: Figures on display, courtesy of the Vent Haven Museum
• 

  3. Vent Haven Museum

  What you need to know: Tours run May 1 through Sept. 30 and are by appointment only; call 859-341-0461 or email [email protected] two days in advance. Walking tours typically run 45 to 90 minutes. The admission donation is $10 per person.

  Exhibit highlights: This collection of dummies, puppets, scripts, photos and more features items spanning over three centuries of ventriloquism.

  More information: www.venthaven.org

  Photo: A display honoring ventriloquist Jay Johnson, courtesy of the Vent Haven Museum
• 

  4. Super Museum

  Location: Metropolis, Illinois

  This Superman-themed museum is a fun stop between St. Louis and Nashville. Started by Superman superfan and collector Jim Hambrick, it has more than 70,000 items on display, from toys and collectibles to movie props and costumes, according to Morgan Siebert, owner and curator of the museum. “We get people who have no interest in Superman who come along with a family member or significant other, and that person, just like everyone else, comes out amazed,” Siebert says.

  There’s plenty to see, she adds, as the museum is organized based on the different portrayals of the Man of Steel and covers his place in TV, film and comic book history.

  Photo: The museum in Superman Square, courtesy of The Super Museum
• 

  4. Super Museum

  What you need to know: The museum is open seven days a week: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission for everyone over the age of 5 is $5. Each June, the museum and town of Metropolis host the Superman Celebration, which includes exhibits, live music, an amusement park and a costume contest.

  Exhibit highlights: Siebert says the first item in the museum is always a favorite: a Superman lunchbox with thermos from 1954. It was a birthday gift to 5-year-old Hambrick from his mom, and it’s what first got him interested in Superman. And, of course, you’ll want to have your picture taken standing next to the 15-foot bronze statue of the hero in Superman Square.

  More information: www.supermuseum.com

  Photo: One of the Superman figures on display, courtesy of The Super Museum
• 

  5. Matchstick Marvels Museum

  Location: Gladbrook, Iowa

  Who knew you could see the Notre Dame Cathedral on a road trip through the United States? It’s a small version, of course, but it’s worth a look. Artist Patrick Acton created a scale model of the Parisian landmark and many other attractions using matchsticks, and they’re on display at this museum. It’s no small feat: His model of the U.S. Capitol, for instance, is 12 feet long.

  “Pat [Acton] always wanted a place to showcase his work,” says museum manager JoAnn Ruopp. “When the city of Gladbrook created a building for a movie theater and city offices, they wanted to include his matchstick works. And thus, Matchstick Marvels was born.”

  If you can’t make it to Iowa to see these creations, you can find Acton’s work in other locations, including a full model of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! in Baltimore, Maryland.

  Photo: Artist Patrick Acton’s matchstick model of Notre Dame, courtesy of the Matchstick Marvels Museum.
  
• 

  5. Matchstick Marvels Museum

  What you need to know: The museum, previously named Iowa’s Tourism Attraction of the Year, is open seven days a week April 1 through Nov. 30, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids ages 5-12. There is no admission fee for children under 5.

  Exhibit highlight: A model of the 1970 Dodge Charger from “The Fast and the Furious” movies will be the newest addition to the museum in 2019.

  More information: www.matchstickmarvels.com

  Photo: Artist Patrick Acton working on his model of the new World Trade Center, courtesy of the Matchstick Marvels Museum.
• 

  6. Apron Museum

  Location: Iuka, Mississippi

  If your travels take you near the Natchez Trace Parkway or southwest Tennessee, consider a stop at the world’s only museum dedicated to aprons. Opened in 2006, the Apron Museum has amassed a collection of more than 3,000 pieces from throughout the United States and around the world.

  The goal of the museum, according to owner and curator Carolyn Terry, is not only to celebrate the history of this once ever-present piece of clothing, but to also tell the stories behind them. Most pieces in the collection come with a story directly from the person who donated the piece — many of them handwritten.

  “It’s not what you expect,” Terry says. “You probably think it is just looking at aprons and it’s boring. But it turns into history and fashion really quickly.”

  Photo: The museum wall soon after it opened. It now holds thousands of aprons rather than hundreds. Courtesy of the Apron Museum.
• 

  6. Apron Museum

  What you need to know:

  Call 662-279-2390 to see when the museum will be open or to schedule a time to visit. Admission is $3 per person.

  Exhibit highlights: The museum’s collection includes two Civil War-era aprons and aprons made by Claudia McGraw, a well-known designer who even made aprons for actress Greta Garbo and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Terry’s favorite: the first aprons that she received as a little girl from her grandmother.

  More information: The Apron Museum

  Photo: A Claudia McGraw apron, courtesy of the Apron Museum.
• 

  7. National Museum of Funeral History

  Location: Houston, Texas

  Don’t be fooled by the name. This museum has a sense of humor, as demonstrated by its motto on its website: “Any day above ground is a good one.” Founded in 1992, it has an exhibit for almost anything related to one of “man’s oldest cultural rituals.” Celebrate the lives and deaths of celebrities and popes, explore the celebration of Día de los Muertos or gape at fantasy coffins from Ghana.

  Photos: Colorful coffins from Ghana on display, courtesy of the National Museum of Funeral History
• 

  7. National Museum of Funeral History

  What you need to know: The museum is open daily: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets range from free to $10 for adults to $7 for children ages to 6-11. Discounts are available for seniors and veterans, and there is no fee for children 5 and under.

  Exhibit highlights: In the exhibit on presidential funerals, you can see the original eternal flame from John F. Kennedy’s grave site in Arlington National Cemetery, as well as an authentic program from the funeral of George Washington and a full-scale recreation of Abraham Lincoln lying in state.

  More information: www.nmfh.org

  Photos: Intricate hearse on display, courtesy of the National Museum of Funeral History
• 

  8. The Toy and Action Figure Museum

  Location: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

  Swing by this museum as you travel around northern Texas, Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Your kids — or your inner child — just might thank you. This museum, founded as part of an effort to attract more visitors to Pauls Valley’s downtown area, is a cornucopia of cartoon characters, superheroes, dolls and pop culture icons.

  Visitors will be treated to several exhibits, including a collector’s bedroom that serves as a “Where’s Waldo?” of action figures ranging from Deadpool to KISS dolls to “The Simpsons,” as well as a bat cave, original “Star Wars” toys from the 1970s and a My Little Pony exhibit.

  The great thing about the museum is the memories it generates, says museum director Erica Block. “Different people find different touchstones on what triggers that nostalgia for them. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours that is not dry or academic.”

  Photo: One of the museum’s display walls, courtesy of The Toy and Action Figure Museum.
• 

  8. The Toy and Action Figure Museum

  What you need to know: The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. (The hours are shortened from November through February, opening at noon on Monday-Friday.) Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-12 (free for those 2 and under) and $5 for seniors, veterans, active military personnel and people in groups of 10 or more.

  Exhibit highlights: Exhibits are continually rearranged and updated. There is a dress-up area for kids and various events throughout the year.

  More information: www.actionfiguremuseum.com

  Photo: This display at the museum is designed to look like a “collector’s bedroom,” courtesy of The Toy and Action Figure Museum
• 

  9. International Banana Museum

  Location: Mecca, California

  Located in the Coachella Valley in Southern California, this museum — which includes more than 20,000 banana-related items from toys and records to lotions and perfume — has lots of “a-peel.” Visitors can also browse bananas made from nearly every material imaginable — stone, glass, paper, plastic, alabaster, jade and resin.

  Owner Fred Garbutt says his goal with the museum was to make visitors feel enchanted when they walk in the door. “I wanted them to just go, ‘holy cow.’ I wanted to deliver. I love that,” he says. “It makes me feel good, like my efforts paid off.”

  Photo: The front of the museum, courtesy of the International Banana Museum
• 

  9. International Banana Museum

  What you need to know: Call ahead for rates and seasonal hours.

  Exhibit highlights: Once you’ve finished browsing all the banana novelty items, treat yourself to something from the banana bar, like a banana shake, a chocolate-covered frozen banana or a banana split.

  More information: www.internationalbananamuseum.com

  Photo: Stop at the Banana Bar for a shake or banana split., courtesy of the International Banana Museum
• 

  10. Idaho Potato Museum

  Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

  Visitors traveling to or from Boise, Idaho; Sawtooth National Forest; Yellowstone National Park or Jackson Hole, Wyoming, might find their way to this homage to the iconic Idaho potato.

  Exhibits at the museum range from educational (a look at antique farm equipment or a history of potato farming technology) to quirky (a display of potato heads and burlap sack clothing).

  The ultimate goal behind each exhibit, according to museum executive director Tish Dahmen, is to explore and celebrate how Idaho potatoes are different from ones grown in other parts of the country and the world. “The potato is amazing because it can be grown at any altitude or any condition,” she says. “But factoring in Idaho makes it a perfect storm.”

  “The potato has universal appeal,” she adds, with the pun intended. “Not only do people want to know about their food source and reconnect with it, but they want to have a good time. And the museum is full of fun — with exhibits like the world’s largest potato crisp and the giant potato outside where they can capture the moment for years to come.”

  Photo: Visitors pose in front of the museum’s giant potato, courtesy of the Idaho Potato Museum
• 

  10. Idaho Potato Museum

  What you need to know: From September through May, the museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. If you visit during June through August, it’s open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is $4 for adults; $3.50 for seniors and military; $2 for children ages 5-12 and free for children 4 and under.

  Exhibit highlights: The museum has entered a new phase, according to Dahmen, and now has a café serving all things potato. And of course, you won’t want to go home without having your picture taken in front of the giant Idaho potato that greets you on your way into the museum.

  More information: www.idahopotatomuseum.com

  Photo: Exhibit at the museum about potato farming throughout history, courtesy of the Idaho Potato Museum

Originally published on March 22, 2016.

The post Road Trip: 10 Unique Museums Worth Seeing appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Quick Fix: How to Clean Your Car’s Dashboard With a Coffee Filter and Olive Oil

Keeping your car clean inside and out is a regular task. But you don’t have to buy expensive cleaning products to maintain the interior. Here’s an easy way to get your car’s dashboard clean with common household items.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Grab a coffee filter and a bottle of olive oil, BobVila.com recommends.

Step 2: Do a Spot Test

Select an inconspicuous place on your dashboard to do a spot test, Pedals and Pumps suggests. This will help determine if any discoloration may appear.

Step 3: Apply Olive Oil to the Coffee Filter

Apply a few drops of olive oil to the coffee filter. You may want to use an eyedropper to control the amount of oil you apply. You can add more olive oil to the coffee filter as needed.

Step 4: Wipe Away

Wipe until dust and dirt are removed! You can also use this method on pleather or leather seats and armrests, says BobVila.com. (Be sure to do a spot test first, though.) However, TLC.com advises that you avoid getting the olive oil on the steering wheel. Finally, consider making your own air freshener as a finishing touch for your clean car.

The post Quick Fix: How to Clean Your Car’s Dashboard With a Coffee Filter and Olive Oil appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Quick Fix: How to Remove Salt Stains from Your Car Mats

When roads get icy, road salt or ice melt can help make driving conditions safer. Those same products, however, can make a mess when they’re tracked into your car. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to remove salt stains and ice melt from your car mats.

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

Stir together 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of warm water in a bucket, AutoFocus recommends. Pour into a spray bottle using a funnel.

Step 2: Test the Mixture

Before you try this cleaning method, test it in an inconspicuous portion of your car mat to help ensure it doesn’t stain or damage it. Allow the test spot to dry completely before using the mixture on the rest of your mats.

Step 3: Spray the Mats

Remove the mats from your vehicle and spray them with the mixture.

Step 4: Scrub Away

Use a scrub brush to remove the stains, Cars.com says.

Step 5: Dry the Mats

Blot the mats using a clean, dry towel.

Step 6: Repeat as Necessary

If stains remain, repeat the process.

Step 7: Allow Mats to Dry

Let the mats air dry, then return them to your vehicle. You can also try this method to remove salt or ice melt stains from the carpet inside your car, too.

The post Quick Fix: How to Remove Salt Stains from Your Car Mats appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Quick Fix: 3 DIY Car Air Fresheners

Does your car still smell like that fast food you picked up a few days ago? Is the aroma of your kid’s hockey gear still lingering after being carted around all season? Unwanted odors can turn any car trip into an unpleasant experience, but there may be easy ways to get rid of them. Try these three quick fixes to freshen up your ride.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda can help to neutralize odors, according to Consumer Reports:

Step 1: Pour baking soda into a mason jar.

Step 2: Put the open jar into one of your car’s cupholders. Let it sit overnight or as long as it takes to remove odors. To help prevent spilling, be sure to remove the jar from your car or put the lid on before driving.

2. Coffee Beans

Coffee beans can also help absorb unpleasant smell. Thrillist recommends this approach:

Step 1: Gather a clean sock you no longer wear, some whole coffee beans, a piece of twine or string and a funnel.

Step 2: Pour the coffee beans through the funnel into the sock.

Step 3: Once the sock is full, tie the end closed.

Step 4: Place under your passenger seat until the odor is gone. Be sure it’s not blocking an air vent, speaker, heating element, motor or any other object.

3. Clothespin and Essential Oil

Here’s how to transform a simple clothespin into an air freshener, as suggested by Simple Life Mom:

Step 1: Gather a wooden clothespin and a small bottle of essential oil, in whatever scent you prefer.

Step 2: Apply 5 to 10 drops of the essential oil to the clothespin.

Step 3: Clip the clothespin into an air vent in your car. Depending on the essential oil, how often you drive your car and how much air is blowing, the scent may last a few days or longer. You can add a few more drops of essential oil to the clothespin when the scent has faded.

The post Quick Fix: 3 DIY Car Air Fresheners appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

How to Remove a Sticker From a Car’s Windshield

When you get a new vehicle registration sticker or parking pass, you know what that means — it’s time to remove the old one. But peeling those old stickers off your car’s windshield can be difficult, and it often leaves behind some pesky residue. Better Homes and Gardens suggests three ways to remove stickers from car windows with supplies you probably have at home. Watch this video to learn how to remove sticker residue for good:

Once the sticker has been removed, try one of the below methods to help get rid of lingering residue on your windshield. And remember, these methods can also help remove sticker residue from any window on your car.

Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.

Remove With Peanut Butter

Step 1: Use a spatula to cover the sticker residue on your window with creamy peanut butter.

Step 2: Let the peanut butter sit on your windshield until the residue has a chance to soften.

Step 3: Use a clean rag to wipe off the peanut butter and softened sticker residue.

Step 4: Clean the area with window cleaner to remove any streaking.

Remove With Rubbing Alcohol

Step 1: Soak a whole clean rag with rubbing alcohol.

Step 2: Hold the soaked rag on top of the residue. Leave it there for several minutes to allow the residue on the glass to soften, suggests Better Homes and Gardens.

Step 3: Use the alcohol-soaked rag to wipe away the residue.

Step 4: Polish it up by cleaning the area with glass cleaner to remove any streaking.

Remove With Spray Lubricant

Step 1: Apply a spray lubricant directly onto the sticker residue.

Step 2: Let the spray lubricant sit on the sticker residue for several minutes to soften the adhesive, Better Homes and Gardens says.

Step 3: Use a clean rag to wipe away the spray lubricant and the residue.

Step 4: If necessary, use window cleaner to remove any remaining residue, lubricant or streaking.

The post How to Remove a Sticker From a Car’s Windshield appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

5 Safe Driving Tips for Deer Season

When autumn begins, it’s important to remember that deer become more active as they get ready for mating season — which can mean a greater risk of deer-related accidents while driving. It’s important to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings to help you avoid this risk. Here are a few safe driving tips to keep in mind while on the road.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

According to the University of Illinois Extension (U of I Extension), the majority of vehicle accidents involving a deer occur from October through December, when deer activity is at its peak. It’s important to pay close attention to what’s around you — including deer crossing signs, as they can help you identify areas known to have a high deer population. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recommends slowing down and increasing distance between your vehicle and other cars when you see those signs. The extra room may give you more time to react if a deer crosses the road in front of you.

Look Out for the Group

Deer typically travel in groups, says the Insurance Information Institute (III), so if you cross paths with one deer, keep your eyes open for others. The U of I Extension advises that you should not swerve to avoid hitting a deer, even though it can be a common instinct, as it could cause you to lose control of your car and result in a more serious accident.

Pay Attention to the Clock

According to DeerCrash.org, deer tend to be most active at dawn and dusk. Since visibility is lower during these times, reduce your speed at night and use high-beam headlights for a better view — but make sure to tone them down when oncoming traffic approaches so you don’t reduce the visibility of other drivers. The brighter light can also help a deer’s eyes stand out, says the III, helping you spot a deer from further away. This may give you more time to slow down and safely pass the deer.

Regularly Clean and Inspect Your Car

When deer are on the move, being able to see them from as far away as possible is important. To help ensure clear visibility, DeerCrash.org recommends keeping your windshield clean. You may also want to check your headlights regularly to be sure they are clean and in good working condition. While you’re at it, make sure your tail lights are clean and working as well — the U of I Extension states that if you see a deer on the road, tapping your brakes can help alert other drivers behind you of its presence.

Have A Plan In Case of an Accident

Like all animals, deer can be unpredictable. While you can take many steps to improve your safety, sometimes accidents happen. If you do hit a deer, DeerCrash.org recommends coming to a stop on the side of the road and turning on your hazard lights. Once you’ve come to a stop, remain in your vehicle and report the accident to the local police department. The III states that you should not attempt to touch the animal, as a scared or wounded deer could cause further harm to itself — or even you.

Though deer season peaks from October through December, remember that a deer could run on or near roadways at any time of the year. Practice safe driving at all times and remember these few extra precautions to help get you through this time of year accident-free.

Originally published on November 17, 2011.

The post 5 Safe Driving Tips for Deer Season appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Assembling an Emergency Car Kit: The Basics and Beyond

Whether it’s a summer road trip, a winter commute or just a little excursion with the kids, it’s never a good time to be stranded on the side of the road. That’s where an emergency car kit can help. Filled with essentials to help you weather a range of calamities, it’s a stowaway in your trunk that can offer peace of mind.

Here’s a rundown of the basics — a number of add-ons you may not have thought of — so you can build out a roadside emergency kit you can rely on.

Basic Emergency Car Kit

Every car kit should begin with some general emergency supplies. Here are some of the essentials recommended by the National Safety Council and Ready.gov:

• Spare tire, wheel wrench and jack
• Jumper cables
• Basic tool kit and/or multipurpose tool
• Local road maps (in case your GPS and phone are without power)
• Flares or reflective triangles
• Blankets
• Car cellphone charger
• Drinking water
• Food (nonperishables, like protein bars or dried fruit)
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Duct tape

Ready.gov also suggests keeping emergency numbers in your phone so that you can contact family, your auto insurance company and roadside assistance or a towing company.

Customize Your Kit: Other Helpful Supplies

You can probably picture a scenario where a basic kit simply isn’t enough. Is there a baby in tow? Are you driving in snowy season? Here are some additional car supplies recommended by Ready.gov, the American Red Cross and The Survival Mom, that may help:

Baby Items

A few essentials can save the day if your normally well-stocked diaper bag runs short. Consider keeping these items on hand:

• Formula
• Bottles
• Diapers
• Diaper cream
• Wipes

You may also want to supplement with additional items that make sense for your own baby, like a blankie, toy or pacifier.

Pet Supplies

If your furry friend is a frequent car companion, it makes sense to stow these supplies for him, too:

• Pet food
• Water
• Feeding/watering bowls
• Leash
• Chew toy or other comfort item

Sanitation Items

It may not be the first thing you think of, but basic sanitation items can be very helpful when you’re stranded in the car. Having these items on hand may be helpful:

• Four-pack of toilet paper
• Disinfecting wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Feminine products
• Zipper bags in various sizes to hold trash and wet items

Weather Gear

Consider adding these items to your kit depending on the season and weather:

• Ice scraper and shovel
• Sand or kitty litter (to aid tire traction)
• Hand/foot warmers
• Rain ponchos
• Battery-powered fan
• Sunblock
• Winter/summer hats
• Insect repellant

Boredom Fighters

Sometimes it takes a while before you or a professional can repair your vehicle and get you back on the road. A few distractions can help keep tempers in check:

• Deck of cards
• Books
• Notepads and pens

Once you assemble your supplies, you’ll want to store them in sturdy container, like a large vacuum-seal bag or a plastic storage bin. But don’t just forget about it. Experts say it’s important to check and refresh supplies once or twice a year, so they’re in good condition for whatever the road throws your way.

The post Assembling an Emergency Car Kit: The Basics and Beyond appeared first on The Allstate Blog.

Road Sign Colors: What You Need to Know

Color is an important part of road signs today. Many drivers know what a sign means simply by its color. Here’s a rundown of some of the more common colors and examples of signs you might see on the road:

• 

  Yellow Signs

  These are warning signs, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT), that tell you to keep your eyes on the road ahead. Warning signs might indicate something as simple as a right turn, but they can also alert drivers to an advisory speed on an exit ramp or a deer or cattle crossing.
• 

  Blue Signs

  These can indicate information, guidance, an evacuation route or services along the roadway, says the DOT. If you’re looking for a hospital, food, gas, lodging or a rest area, be on the lookout for signs that are blue.
• 

  Brown Signs

  Brown signs are meant to help guide you toward recreational sites or places of cultural interest, according to the DOT. Picnic areas, hiking trails, museums, swimming areas and fishing piers are all destinations that might be found by following brown signs.
• 

  Fluorescent Yellow-Green Signs

  These types of signs warn you about foot traffic, as well as schools, school buses and bicycles, says the DOT. Examples include pedestrian and handicapped crossings, as well as a playground or school crosswalk on the road ahead.
• 

  Green Signs

  Green signs provide directional guidance or information about your location, notes the DOT. You’ll find mile markers, exit signs and information telling you how far you are from a destination on green signs.
• 

  Orange Signs

  Construction and other temporary traffic changes are often indicated with orange signs, the DOT notes. These types of signs may tell you that there’s utility work ahead or indicate that an exit is closed. Other orange signs might provide warnings about slow traffic or that there’s road work on a particular stretch of road.
• 

  Red Signs

  You know a stop sign is red, but signs that indicate a multi-way stop and yield signs can be red as well, the DOT says.
• 

  White Signs

  White signs generally dictate some sort of regulation, meaning that they’re a guide that tells you what you can and cannot do, according to the DOT. Do Not Enter and No U-Turn signs are often white, as well as signs that indicate one-way traffic and high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

Now you know a little more about the colors of road signs so you can better navigate the road ahead.

Originally published on May 22, 2013.

The post Road Sign Colors: What You Need to Know appeared first on The Allstate Blog.