More people are planning to hit the road for the holidays this year. While the number of travelers isn’t expected to be as high as in 2019, the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations and the easing of some restrictions have helped people feel more comfortable about vacationing. However, traveling today is more complicated than a few years ago, and leaving home during the holiday season always carries unique risks. The six tips below can help keep you, your home and your vehicle safe as we leave 2021 behind. Read more

A couple of summers ago, I was flying to France to stay with friends who had visited San Francisco in the past and fell in love with our foggy city. I thought I had found the perfect hospitality gift when I bought a fog globe featuring the Golden Gate Bridge. A fog globe is similar to a snow globe, but when you shake it up, instead of snow falling, the bridge disappears in gray fog. Because it was breakable, I carefully packed the globe in a carry-on bag, and that was my big mistake. It never occurred to me that airport security (TSA) would confiscate the gift because it contained too much liquid. I have since learned that fog and snow globes about the size of a tennis ball are allowed if they can fit in a clear, Read more