Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – WEDnESDAy, nOVEmbEr 22, 2023 BBB Tip: Fly safely on your vacation A re you thinking about traveling by air for a few days? Before clicking the button to buy tickets, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends the following: • Make sure everyone who is traveling has the appropriate ID. The new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is May 7, 2025; however, make certain parties traveling together have a current compliant ID as required by each state. • Read all cancellation policies carefully. Not all situations require a full refund of the ticket value and fees if your fl ight is canceled. Each online travel agency, airline and broker is diff erent. • Consider trip insurance. Have a complete understanding of what the policy does and does not cover. • Be an informed traveler. Refer to the Department of Transportation website at www.transportation.gov/ airconsumer for details on consumer issues, fi ling complaints and other aviation information. · Avoid hidden fees. Read the fi ne print! Flying is one of many aspects of your trip to consider. Here are some other travel-related resources from BBB: • Rental cars: Make your next car rental experience a little easier – www.bbb.org/article/tips/14087bbb-tip-renting-a-car • Hotel rooms: Learn what to keep in mind when booking a hotel room at www.bbb.org/article/tips/14155bbb-tip-booking-a-hotel-room • Travel agents: Know what to look for in a travel agent and fi nd one near you – www.bbb.org/article/ news-releases/18618-bbb-tip-travel-agents During the holiday or any time of year, fi nd ways to travel safely and avoid scams at www.bbb.org/article/ news-releases/14079-bbb-tip-planning-your-next-vacation-or-trip. If you plan to travel to or from Canada, check for travel advisories at https:// travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories. Remember to report any suspicious activities to BBB Scam Tracker at www. bbb.org/scamtracker. Trim the turkey and your bills this Thanksgiving with energy effi cient cooking tips T he Sponsors of Mass Save® are sharing 12 tips for a safe, energy efficient Thanksgiving Day. Give your oven some lovin’: • Don’t preheat your oven longer than you need to. Having an empty oven turned on wastes energy. • Cooking a smaller turkey or side dishes simultaneously will not only help you save time, but it will also save energy. • Make the most of the additional heat coming from the oven and adjust the thermostat a few degrees lower than normal when cooking or hosting to help keep guests warm. • Avoid opening the oven door and peeking while cooking. Heat escapes when the door is opened. Use the right cookware: • If possible, use flat-bottomed pots and pans to maintain better contact with burners. • Try using copper or copper-bottom pots and pans, as they heat up faster than stainless steel. • For bakeware, try ceramic or glass instead of a metal dish to retain more heat. • Size matters: Match the burner size to the size of the pot or pan to ensure maximum heat is applied and prevent excess heat from being used. • Make sure the lid fits tightly – it keeps heat in and allows you to maintain a lower burner temperature. Put other appliances to work: • For heating up smaller dishes – or leftovers – consider alternative appliances, such as a microwave or toaster oven to use less energy than the stove. Post-feast activities: • After your guests leave and it is time to clean, scrape dishes instead of rinsing them to conserve water. • Run your dishwasher with a full load and use the air-dry or no heat option to save on electricity. Washing dishes in an ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher, rather than handwashing, can cut your utility bills by about $210 per year, according to Energystar.gov
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