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  HOW TO WRAP A PRESENT WITHOUT WRAPPING PAPER

  Use newspaper.

  Newspapers (especially the colorful Sunday comics section) are a readily available substitute for wrapping paper. Avoid news sections that may have depressing headlines.

  Use tissue paper.

  Many stores provide tissue paper for packing the gift inside the box. Use that tissue to wrap the box.

  Use brown paper bags.

  Cut apart brown paper grocery bags; use them inside out if they are printed.

  Use shopping bags.

  Cut off the handles and bottoms and use the glossy shopping bags from the store. Some stores also put festive designs on their bags during the holiday season, giving your wrapping job a colorful touch.

  Use aluminum foil.

  Bright and shiny, foil is an excellent choice for giftwrap. Consider making small foil sculptures and putting them on top of the gift for added flair. Take care not to rip the foil, which tears easily. Alternatively, use waxed paper.

  Use shelf paper.

  If you do not have a roll of shelf paper, remove the paper that lines your drawers. Carefully peel it off (it should come up easily), wipe with a damp cloth, and cut to fit the present.

  Use colored plastic wrap.

  Plastic wrap intended for food storage comes in several colors, including red and green. Use it to wrap gifts, then shrink to fit using a hair dryer.

  Use fabric.

  Any fabric or cloth can be used as giftwrap. Gather the fabric around and tie with yarn for a homey touch. It is not necessary to hem the fabric. If using clothing or socks, be sure they are clean.

  Use sticky notes.

  Multicolored sticky notes can make an attractive pattern or layered effect.

  Use tissues.

  Facial tissues, if applied carefully, can be a colorful, soft giftwrap. Use toilet paper only as a last resort.

  HOW TO WRAP A PRESENT WITHOUT TAPE

  Use ribbon, string, or yarn.

  Fold the paper as tightly as possible, then wrap ribbon or other string around the box to hold everything together.

  Use envelopes.

  Cut the sticky strips from the flaps of envelopes, moisten, and use as you would tape.

  Use stamps.

  Use one-cent stamps, if available.

  Make paste.

  Mix half a cup of water and 1 cup flour. Stir while heating the mixture over a low flame. Allow the batter to cool and use as you would glue.

  Use gum.

  Regular chewing gum works best; bubble gum is not as adhesive. Chew each piece for two minutes. Apply sparingly.

  HOW TO TREAT A WRAPPING-PAPER CUT

  1. Keep the victim calm and immobile.

  A paper cut can cause intense pain at the injury site, but such cuts are usually superficial lacerations and rarely dangerous, except in the case of infection.

  2. Instruct the victim to lie down if he/she feels faint.

  After the initial rush of pain, the brain will become habituated to the discomfort and the pain will subside.

  3. If the injury is to the finger, keep the finger straight.

  Especially if the laceration crosses a knuckle, keep the finger straight to prevent pulling of the skin, which will increase pain. Hold the victim’s other hand, if necessary.

  4. Inspect the wound.

  In the unlikely event that foreign material is lodged in the wound, remove the debris using sterilized tweezers.

  5. Clean the wound.

  Use warm water and soap to thoroughly wash out the wound.

  6. Disinfect the injured area.

  Treat the wound with isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. This treatment may momentarily irritate the cut and cause slight pain.

  7. Apply pressure.

  Residual bleeding may occur if the cut is deep. Put pressure on the injury site, using a sterile bandage or clean cloth.

  8. Treat with an antibiotic ointment.

  Apply a topical antibiotic to impede bacterial growth.

  9. Dress the wound.

  Use a sterile bandage or adhesive strip. Until the wound heals, avoid contact with lemon juice and salt at the site of the wound: Both will cause intense pain.

  10. Take pain medication, if necessary.

  An especially deep paper cut may cause prolonged pain, which can be treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Aspirin can thin the blood and may cause the wound to ooze for a longer period of time, however.

  Be Aware

  In rare cases, a serious paper cut may be very deep and create a large flap of torn skin. Such an injury may require a butterfly bandage or stitches. If the wound does not stop bleeding even after applying continual pressure, or if an infection develops, seek medical attention.

  Open presents slowly.

  CHAPTER 5

  SURVIVING THE GREAT OUTDOORS

  HOW TO ESCAPE A RUNAWAY PARADE BALLOON

  1. Watch for sudden changes in wind speed.

  Parade balloons are only deployed if sustained winds are 23 mph or less, with gusts no more than 34 mph. If the winds exceed these levels during the parade, controlling the balloons becomes much more difficult. If you detect a significant change in wind speed or direction, look for other indications of danger.

  2. Watch the anchor vehicles.

  Large balloons (5,000 cubic feet and bigger) will be tethered to two anchor vehicles that look like oversized golf carts. These vehicles weigh two and a half tons each and act as failsafes, keeping a balloon from moving uncontrollably in case of emergency. In calm winds, the vehicles will be directly under the balloon and in the center of the street. If the anchor vehicles begin to move outward, toward the sidewalks, the wind is increasing substantially.

  3. Watch the height of the balloon.

  In calm winds, balloons will float at a maximum height of 50 feet. If the balloons are lower than this, winds may be dangerously high. In very strong winds, balloons may be almost at ground level.

  4. Observe balloon handlers.

  Each balloon has at least one handler; the largest balloons may have 50. Each handler holds a rope, and each rope is marked in foot increments. As winds increase, handlers will pull in their ropes and move into the wind for better control of the balloon in a headwind. If you see handlers reining in lots of rope, they are dealing with a clear and present danger.

  5. Do not try to rescue a balloon.

  It is difficult for an observer to gauge the enormity of a parade balloon, the tension in the ropes, and the amount of energy required to control a balloon in high winds. Lending a helping hand may seem easy, but the situation may be more out of control than it looks. Stay clear of the street and the balloon operators. Balloons and their handlers need lots of space to maneuver. Never attempt to pull on any ropes, and do not poke or prod any balloon.

  6. Avoid lampposts and traffic lights.

  The most immediate risk is that a runaway balloon may knock over a traffic light or lamppost, which will strike those standing below. Often, traffic lights are either removed or repositioned before the parade; if any remain, stay away from them.

  7. Do not panic.

  A stampeding crowd is a greater threat than a renegade balloon. If you have detected the early signs of danger and have responded, you will be moving ahead of the crowd.

  8. Evacuate the area.

  Seek safety away from the parade route, if you have time. You may take immediate shelter in a building or subway station.

  HOW TO DEAL WITH A CANCELED FLIGHT

  1. Do not stand in line.

  When a flight is canceled, for any reason, hundreds of people line up at the ticket counter for rebooking. Ignore them and find a telephone.

  2. Call the airline.

  Ask the airline (or your travel agent) for a seat on the next flight going to your destination. You will get into the airline’s computer system quickly, without having to stand in line. Your airline may be able to transfer your ti
cket to another flight on that airline, in which case you can proceed directly to the gate.

  3. Book a new flight.

  Carry a list of all airlines that fly to your destination. The airline on which you are ticketed may not be able to rebook you on a later flight, or might not be the airline with the next available flight. Call other airlines and book a seat on a convenient flight. Depending on the fare you originally purchased and its restrictions, it might be simpler and faster to purchase a new ticket on a different airline, over the phone, and not use your original ticket. If you purchase a new ticket, proceed directly to the new airline’s gate.

  4. Have your ticket endorsed.

  If you have made a reservation on a different airline but have not purchased a new ticket, you will need to get your existing ticket endorsed over to the new carrier. You will have to stand in line at the counter of the airline that canceled the flight, but you, unlike others in line, will already have another flight arranged.

  5. Save unused tickets.

  Unused tickets, one-way or round-trip, are almost as good as cash: They can be credited toward another flight on the same airline or, in some cases, refunded.

  Be Aware

  When flying within the United States, know Rule 240, which covers what an airline will do for you in the event of a flight delay or cancellation. Legally, airlines must compensate only ticketed passengers who arrive on time but are denied a seat. In the event of a lengthy flight delay or cancellation, airlines as a matter of good public relations generally will provide passengers a hotel, meal, free phone call, and other amenities (be sure to ask if they’re not offered) or arrange flights on another airline. Check each airline’s website for their delay/cancellation policies.

  If you know you will be traveling on a busy holiday weekend to a very busy airport, and especially if there is the possibility of severe weather, book a room in an airport hotel; you will be ready if your flight is canceled. Check the hotel’s cancellation policy, so you are not charged for an unused room, and be sure to cancel the room if you don’t need it.

  Do not use electronic tickets if there is a chance of bad weather, labor problems, or security delays. The computer systems of different airlines cannot communicate with one another, so e-tickets cannot be endorsed from one airline to another. A paper ticket must first be issued, extending the amount of time you will have to spend at the ticket counter.

  Carry on your bags whenever possible. If your luggage has been checked through to your final destination but you encounter delays, you may not be able to switch your luggage’s flights and airlines as easily as your own.

  HOW TO DRIVE IN A BLIZZARD

  1. Keep windows clear.

  Use the heater, wipers, and defroster to keep windows clear and free of condensation. Do not let the car get too warm, however—the heat may put you to sleep.

  2. At night, use low-beam headlights.

  High-beams will reflect off the snow, making it more difficult to see.

  3. Drive in high gear.

  Do not downshift. Use as high a gear as possible for maximum traction and to avoid skids on snowy and icy roads.

  4. Drive slowly.

  Do not drive at maximum speed. Drive at a slow, constant speed.

  5. Avoid sudden movements.

  Do not brake, change gears, or accelerate around turns. Slow down and move into a lower gear approaching the turn, then simply steer around the bend.

  6. Watch for ice.

  Slow down before you reach icy or snowy patches of roadway. Skids are much more likely to occur on ice than on snow.

  IF YOU SKID

  1. Undo your last action.

  Take your foot off the brake, or ease off the accelerator, depending upon whether you attempted to slow down or to speed up.

  2. Steer into the skid.

  To straighten the wheels, turn the steering wheel in the direction the car is moving. Do not jerk the wheel: steer smoothly to avoid further skidding. You may have to turn the wheel in one direction, then the other, to regain control and move straight.

  3. Pump the brake pedal to slow down.

  If the brakes are anti-lock, simply depress the brake pedal, and your car will automatically pump the brakes.

  4. Check for traffic.

  If you have come to a stop, or if you have spun out of your lane or slowed more than other traffic, you need to be especially careful not to block other vehicles.

  IF YOU GET STUCK IN THE SNOW

  1. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.

  1. Place a traction aid under the drive wheels.

  Possible objects include a floormat, bag of kitty litter, wood planks, cardboard, a blanket, or clothing.

  3. Move passengers above the drive wheels.

  Depending upon whether you have front-wheel or rear-wheel drive, move your passengers and heavy luggage to the front or rear of the passenger compartment. Increased weight over the drive wheels will help to gain traction.

  4. Rock the car back and forth.

  In a low gear, apply light pressure on the gas pedal to move as far forward as you can go without spinning, then release the pedal (or put in the clutch) so you roll back. Gradually, the car will move forward a few more inches with each back-and-forth rock and may gain enough momentum to roll out of its rut and gain traction.

  5. Push the car.

  If the car is still stuck, instruct passengers to push the car forward. Try rocking the car back and forth, with a well-timed push at the forward point.

  IF YOU BECOME STRANDED

  1. Stay with or in the car.

  You can survive for several days in your car, especially if you have food and water and enough fuel to periodically run the engine and heater.

  2. Clear the vents.

  The vents for the heater are usually below the windshield wipers on the hood. The exhaust pipe is located under the rear bumper. A clear exhaust pipe allows you to run the engine without danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

  3. Open a window occasionally.

  You will benefit from the fresh air, and will ensure that the windows do not become frozen shut.

  4. If the car becomes completely buried, poke a breathing hole in the snow above the car.

  Use an ice scraper or tire iron.

  5. Light a candle inside the car.

  If you do not smell any gas fumes, light a candle to provide extra warmth. The candle will also serve as a warning sign of carbon monoxide fumes; if the candle begins to flicker and die, ventilate the car quickly.

  6. Put on extra clothing.

  To conserve fuel, do not run the engine and heater at full blast. If you do not have enough extra clothing, use newspapers, seat covers, and maps. Huddle with passengers for warmth.

  7. Watch for help.

  If you have passengers, take turns sleeping so that someone is always alert for possible rescuers. Use a portable radio for news updates; to conserve fuel or your car battery, do not use the car radio.

  8. Ration food and drink.

  Open and use any useful holiday presents you may be carrying, whether clothing, equipment, food, or beverages. Avoid alcohol, which feels warming but actually lowers your body temperature.

  Be Aware

  Prepare for a drive in potentially snowy conditions by packing smart. Take extra clothing (including gloves and a water-resistant jacket), blankets and pillows, boots, food and drink, a battery-operated radio and flashlight, matches and candles, a mobile phone, and several wooden planks (or a bag of kitty litter) for traction. Also take a shovel, if possible.

  HOW TO STOP A RUNAWAY ONE-HORSE OPEN SLEIGH

  1. Stay in the sleigh.

  Grip the seat or railing with one hand and the reins with the other. Most injuries occur when the rider is thrown, falls, or jumps off the sleigh, hitting the ground or a tree or rock. If you cannot reach the reins or they are loose and dragging on the ground, do not attempt to reach them. Hold onto the sleigh and wait for the horse
or horses to tire.

  2. Tug and release the reins with a medium pressure.

  Repeat until the horse begins to slow down.

  3. Do not jerk the reins of a horse that is running at full speed.

  Never pull a running horse off balance, which might cause it to stumble or fall. Horses can run at a speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour while pulling a sleigh.

  4. When the horse slows to a lope or a trot, pull one rein to the side.

  With steady pressure, move the horse’s head all the way around toward you. This will cause the horse to begin going in a circle. The horse will quickly tire of circling, begin to feel that you are in control again, and slow to a walk.

  5. Pull back with slow, steady pressure on both reins until the horse stops.

  Once the horse is at a walk, it is safe to bring it to a complete stop.

  6. Dismount.

  Be Aware

  If a runaway sleigh is coming toward you, do not attempt to grab the horse or the reins. Even if you could grab a rein, that would more likely result in a broken rein than a stopped horse. Let the driver have space to gain control. Standing in front of a runaway horse and flapping your arms will not cause the horse to stop.