Killer Tips – Part 1

This week my column will be a compilation of tips that I’ve given in the past along with some I’ve gained more recently. I hope they will benefit you as much as they have helped me. Some of these are not “killers” because they actually might save your life but who ever heard of “lifer tips”?

Tip 1 – The next time you’re at a pharmacy pick up a bottle of child strength aspirin, 81 grain, and place it either on or in your bedside table. These little pills could save your life if you ever experience any kind of pain during the night. Of course they are supposed to be used for heart attack symptoms, but those symptoms can come in any number of ways. One characteristic common to all of them is pain in some part of your body. Taking one or two of those baby aspirin might prevent a full-scale heart attack.

Tip 2 – That same bottle of baby aspirin can also be used by anyone—especially those over age 40—to maintain a healthy body. Take one of these little pills before going to bed every night. The half life of aspirin is about 12 hours, so nightly dosage benefit is twofold: It prevents cardiac events which recent studies have shown to occur more frequently in early morning hours, and it relieves those little aches and pains we sometimes get that prevent good sleep.

Tip 3 – If you are one of the many people who fear a major banking disruption in these fragile times, you probably have a “stash” somewhere in your house to use in emergency situations. It could be quite substantial. The problem is, with the amount of B&E that is taking place there are few places where you can secure your cash and valuables where the thieves cannot get them.

There are some safes you can buy that mimic a wall socket, or a food container or some other common household gadget. However, you can make your own safe by using any empty food container in varying sizes to hide your valuables in plain sight. What thief would spend the time to search your whole pantry or your entire clothes closet? Most want to get in and out as quickly as possible, and the pros know about the sugar bowl, the freezer and the china cabinet as the most common hidey-holes. If they don’t find anything there, they give up and move on. The oatmeal container in the rear on the middle shelf isn’t likely to draw anyone’s attention, nor is the high top shoe sitting in a pair in the closet. (Those are just examples, not necessarily my choice in case anyone reading this wants to rob me)

Tip 4 – I guess we are all capable of committing the error of locking a vehicle with the keys inside. I know that the companies that provide onboard services in newer makes and models use the problem to promote their services. I have AAA membership and I’ve had to call for roadside service when I locked the key inside my car.

A friend who is a locksmith gave me a great hint: Pay a couple of dollars for a valet key-one that only opens the doors but won’t start the car—and then put that key behind your license plate with one of the license plate screws through it. A coin can be used to unscrew and retrieve the key. No more service calls and delays waiting for someone to open the car.

Tip 5 – Always keep a tool in your car that can be used to break the side window in the event you ever are in a situation where your vehicle is submerged in water. I know, it isn’t something you would voluntarily do, but many accidents end with the car in deep water. There are multi-use tools sold at auto parts stores and online, but if you can’t find one, put a heavy-duty screwdriver or a small hammer in your glove compartment. Since many cars are equipped with electric windows that won’t work underwater, this can be a lifesaver.

Those are the first five tips, and I’ll have more next week, or within a few weeks if some topic comes up that has more value between now and next Saturday.