Dear Readers: Hurricane season doesn’t end until the last day of November. If you’re in a storm and the electrical power goes out, you might want or need to use a portable back-up generator. Just be careful.

They emit the poisonous gas carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless and deadly. The CDC (www.CDC.gov) implores us:

* Never use a portable generator indoors or in the garage, even with the doors and windows open.

* Keep the generator outside at least 20 feet away from your home, doors and windows, pointing the exhaust away from the house.

Hundreds of people die or become ill every year from improperly using a portable back-up generator. Read the manual and follow the directions to the letter. — Heloise

LETTER OF ­LAUGHTER — SAY WHAT?

Dear Heloise: My wife and I had a misunderstanding recently and I told her, “Even after 40 years, you know I still cannot read your mind!” She replied, “About what?” — Richard Kujath, Omaha, Neb.

RV DRIVING

Dear Readers: During the pandemic, recreational vehicles have gained popularity, and more people are considering leasing or buying one for road trip vacations. But driving an RV is not the same as driving a car, SUV or pickup truck.

It’s important to practice driving your new RV so you are comfortable managing what’s called the “tail swing.” This is a pivot point behind you where the vehicle will move in the opposite direction when you turn. You’ll also need to be sure you’re confident parking and performing other tricky maneuvers. The dealership may offer driving lessons — take them.

A lot of driving elements stay the same as driving a car: Mind the weather; don’t drive if you’re tired; make sure your mirrors are adjusted; don’t get too close to other vehicles; stay in the far right lane; go slow and be courteous.

Practice driving to get the feel of your new RV before you hit the open road. — Heloise

TWO FER

Dear Heloise: I use small hand towels as placemats. No ironing required. I toss them in with the towels when doing laundry.

Not sure which way the blanket should go? I put pretty buttons on the bottom of the blanket. They can be hidden on the wrong side. — Esther S. Arlan, Nashua, N.H.

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

Dear Heloise: I subscribe to a great food subscription program. They take foods that supermarkets and grocery stores reject for any number of reasons — produce that is not visually appealing or slightly bruised, foods that are close to expiring, foods where the packaging might have changed, etc. — and offer them at discounted prices.

I get on their website and order what I want, and it comes to me in a couple days. There are several of these programs online. It’s dumb to throw out foods just because it has a small flaw. — Leah in Texas

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.