Why Taping Windows for Storms Is a Myth — Better Ways to Protect Your Home As storm seasons become more intense, preparing homes for extreme weather is top of mind for many homeowners. One widely shared tip—internet memes, TV footage, and social posts—advises placing tape across windows before a storm. At first glance it seems … Read more

Chances are you have loose change tucked away somewhere in your home—maybe in a jar, drawer, piggy bank, or an old box. Most of that change will be worth face value, but some dimes can be far more valuable to collectors. Certain dates, mintmarks, minting errors, and other rarities can turn an ordinary dime into … Read more

My partner and I love grilling. We enjoy it so much that when we go camping or take a long road trip, we typically bring our propane travel grill along. Over the years—and many miles—we’ve learned how to cook well in less-than-ideal conditions, from rain and snow to mosquitoes and heat waves. The payoff has … Read more

Anyone who has left a car in direct sunlight knows the interior can become unbearably hot. But can it get hot enough to cause a burn? The simple way to judge is to ask: would I touch a surface hot enough to fry an egg? If your answer is yes, you have a very high … Read more

If you haven’t already, now is a good time to become familiar with your vehicle’s components and the manufacturers behind them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued another major Takata air bag recall. Tens of millions of vehicles are included under a Do Not Drive warning because their driver-side air bag inflators … Read more

I have been driving and working on cars since before I had a driver’s license. In nearly 60 years behind the wheel and under the hood, I’ve watched vehicle safety and technology evolve dramatically. Cars today are far more computerized, efficient, and reliable, with advanced driver assistance systems and cleaner powertrains. One notable and sometimes … Read more

By now many people have seen images of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool colored a soupy green. The algae bloom appeared just days after a more than $14 million restoration was completed. Ironically, the renovation began after President Trump directed the pool’s bottom be painted an “American flag blue” to transform what he described as … Read more

In much of the United States, gas pump clips—also called hold-open clips or hands-free pump clips—are a familiar convenience at service stations. They let drivers fill their tanks while they clean their windshield, step inside to pay, or grab a quick snack without holding the nozzle. Despite their widespread use, two states continue to restrict … Read more

For pool owners, manually operating a pool pump or water heater can feel like one more task added to an already busy routine. Constantly switching high-power devices on and off not only takes time, it increases the risk of forgetting to run essential equipment. A dedicated pool pump timer removes that daily chore, improves reliability … Read more

Border authorities regularly intercept goods that are not permitted to enter a country, but some seizures are more unusual than others. In Australia, officials recently dealt with a particularly striking case: a large illegal collection of live exotic cockroaches. In early June, Australian officials announced the seizure of 100,000 live exotic cockroaches. The insects, which … Read more