Hoosier Motor Club Blog

Buying a car can be a stressful experience but one thing motorists have always been able to depend on has been that a new vehicle automatically includes a spare tire. However, with these changing times, that may no longer be the case any more.

To meet new government fuel efficiency standards, some vehicle manufactures are omitting heavy spare tires and equipping new vehicles with an emergency sealant and inflator kit or tires that if damaged can run reasonable distances without air.

In 2010, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency established new corporate average fuel economy standards for vehicle model years 2012 to 2016. The new standards are set at a combined 29.7 mpg for the 2012 model year, increasing to 34.1 mpg by 2016.

Achieving these standards will require many changes to the vehicles we drive. One area of focus is to reduce the weight of vehicles without compromising occupant safety. A spare tire, related tools and a jack can weigh more than 40 pounds. 

“Unfortunately many vehicle owners may be unaware that their vehicle has no spare tire until they experience a flat,” said John Nielsen, AAA National Director of Auto Buying, and Consumer Information. “Consumers should review their owner’s manual and emergency maintenance supplies in order to be informed about alternatives to a spare.”

AAA recommends the following to ensure you are informed and prepared:

• Inspect the car and consult your owner’s manual. If the vehicle has a spare, be sure it is properly inflated and stowed. If you cannot locate a spare tire, ensure your vehicle has an alternate solution. Options include the run-flat tires that allow a vehicle to be driven to a safe location or an emergency sealant and inflator kit.
• If you carry a sealant, AAA recommends that you check the date and replace it every five years or after one use. Sealant can become less effective with age.

AAA members needing assistance with a flat tire can request roadside assistance at (800) AAA-HELP or by downloading the smartphone app, AAA Roadside.

AAA Hoosier Motor Club is proud to announce that 10 lodgings and one restaurant within the club’s 50-county Indiana territory have earned the AAA Four Diamond Award® in 2012, including one new addition to the list. 

The AAA/CAA Four and Five Diamond Ratings are the travel authority’s highest designations for hotels and restaurants.

Four and Five Diamond lodgings are refined and stylish with upscale physical attributes. They offer guests extensive amenities and a wide range of services.

Area lodgings receiving the AAA/CAA Four Diamond Rating for 2012 include:

French Lick Resort (2007) – French Lick

Conrad Indianapolis (2007) – Indianapolis

Indianapolis Marriott Downtown (2001) – Indianapolis

JW Marriott Indianapolis (2011)* – Indianapolis

Omni Severin Hotel (1990) – Indianapolis

The Historic Canterbury Hotel (1985) – Indianapolis

The Villa Inn, Restaurant and Spa (2008) – Indianapolis

The Westin Indianapolis (2004) – Indianapolis

University Place Conference Center & Hotel (2006) – Indianapolis

West Baden Springs Hotel (2007) – West Baden Springs

(xxxx) indicates year establishment first received current, consecutively maintained Diamond Rating.

* indicates establishment new to the list by year-end 2011.

Four and Five Diamond restaurants provide a distinctive fine dining experience. They feature highly creative chefs, complex menus, fresh top-quality ingredients and knowledgeable staff. 

Only one restaurant within AAA Hoosier Motor Club territory earned the prestigious AAA/CAA Four Diamond Rating for 2012:

Restaurant Tallent (2007) – Bloomington

(xxxx) indicates year establishment first received current, consecutively maintained Diamond Rating.

Representing the upper echelon of the hospitality industry, the 2,245 AAA/CAA Four Diamond and 179 Five Diamond establishments make up just 3.8 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, of the total 59,000 AAA/CAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

“Four and Five Diamond hotels and restaurants are committed to providing every guest with a high level of personalized service in comfortable, luxurious surroundings,” said Greg Seiter, public affairs manager with AAA Hoosier Motor Club. “To achieve and maintain this level of hospitality is a significant accomplishment. We are proud to recognize these dedicated local establishments.”

AAA’s professional inspectors, ideally positioned to observe emerging hospitality trends, noted changes in store for 2012. For hotels, a prevalent trend is creating a home-away-from-home environment, according to AAA inspectors. Another growth area is “smarter” hotel rooms that learn guests’ habits as they use a central remote to control everything from heating and air conditioning to lights, curtains, music and wakeup calls.

In the restaurant industry, prevailing themes include more natural ingredients, locally sourced foods and healthier meal options. These include rustic fare – simple dishes with fresh ingredients – made in-house and new twists on comfort foods such as a “dusting” of dried, powdered fruits or vegetables to add texture and flavor, rather than heavy sauces.

AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotel and restaurant listings can be found in the AAA TourBook® guides available at AAA and CAA offices across the continent. They can be accessed online at AAA.com/Travel and through downloadable eTourBookSM guides at AAA.com/ebooks. Smartphone users can locate Diamond Rated establishments using the free AAA TripTik® Mobile app or AAA Mobile Web at AAA.com/mobile.

Continuing a 75-year tradition, AAA’s professionally trained inspectors use published guidelines to conduct unannounced property evaluations. AAA rates more properties than any other rating entity and is the only rating system that covers the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. It is one of only two that conduct physical, on-site evaluations, assigning AAA/CAA Approved lodgings and restaurants One to Five AAA Diamonds.

Buying a new car is certainly stressful, but being armed with AAA’s new Auto Buying Tools app can make the process a lot easier. Available on the Apple iPhone, AAA’s new Auto Buying Tools app gives consumers the ability to modify car details in real-time and refresh pricing data on the show room floor.

“This tool will give consumers the confidence and information they need to make an educated decision when buying a car,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA National Vice President, Automotive, Financial Services and e-Business. “AAA wants to ensure its members are prepared and knowledgable about available member benefits when making such an important decision.”

With AAA’s Auto Buying Tools app, prospective buyers can build the car they want, including options and available incentives, while viewing market pricing, crash safety ratings, AAA reviews, images and much more.

Key features of the AAA Auto Buying Tools App:

• Search new cars by make/model, style and list price (MSRP)
• Build your ideal car, down to color and trim
• Features, specs, and crash safety ratings
• AAA vehicle reviews and car buying services*
• VIN number entry for quick, exact specifications
• Save searches and cars to favorites
• Share car details on Facebook, Twitter or email
• Compare two customized vehicles

 * AAA Member Pricing and Reviews not available for some models or in certain areas.

AAA’s Auto Buying Tools app is the fifth from AAA and is available for free from the iTunes App Store. Please visit AAA.com/mobile for further details. The other AAA apps include:

• AAA Insurance app provides AAA’s recommended steps on what to do immediately after a traffic collision and helps you gather important information about the crash needed to submit an insurance claim.
• AAA TripTik Mobile is a GPS-based app with maps showing gas station locations and pricing along with points of interest, such as AAA-rated hotels, restaurants and attractions, near a user’s location or any user-specified location.
• AAA Discounts app, with more than a million downloads, also uses GPS technology to display nearby AAA Show Your Card & Save locations.
• AAA Roadside enables AAA members who require emergency road service to send their vehicle description, location and breakdown details directly to AAA.

Devices such as smartphones with mobile applications are valuable tools before a vehicle is in motion; however, they greatly increase motorist distractions when used while driving. Distracted driving can have deadly consequences. AAA urges motorists to minimize distractions behind the wheel by not using wireless devices, such as cell phones with mobile applications, while driving.

Thanks to widespread confusion over random Facebook postings the last few days, AAA clubs across the country have been flooded with calls concerning Tipsy Tow or Tow-to Go service offerings for New Year’s Eve.

Tipsy Tow is a complimentary service provided by some AAA-affiliated clubs through which a safe ride home is offered to those who have had too much to drink. In some parts of the country, this program is available during various holidays throughout a given year.

Tipsy Tow is not a national program and there are many AAA-affiliated clubs that simply don’t have the means by which to provide it. AAA Hoosier Motor Club is one of those clubs.

This service is not offered in the state of Indiana and will not be available to Hoosiers this weekend.

As millions of Americans prepare to ring in the New Year, it is important to remember the safety precautions drivers should take during this festive season. Drive only while drug and alcohol-free, pick a designated driver for the evening, plan to take a cab or stay with a friend.

As Americans pop the cork on New Year’s Eve celebrations this weekend, AAA cautions partygoers against getting behind the wheel after the champagne toast. According to a recent analysis conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, during the last decade, the years’ highest number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities occur on New Year’s Day.
 
While the holidays make for a timely reason to raise the visibility of alcohol-related fatalities, AAA also continues to spread the message to not drink and drive in response to feedback from its members-who represent one in every four households-citing impaired driving as their greatest safety concern. And they’re not alone. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s latest Traffic Safety Culture Index reveals that 97 percent of drivers consider impaired driving to be unacceptable. Despite that fact, Americans continue to drink and drive. Alcohol-impaired drivers make up about one third of motor vehicle deaths.
 
“We’ve all heard that a DUI conviction can cost you financially. Legal fees, bail and other related expenses can amount to more than $10,000,” says Jennifer Davidson, manager, Traffic Safety Advocacy. “But impaired driving can have a cost that impacts more than the wallet. Getting behind the wheel after drinking can lead to life-altering outcomes.” 
 
AAA reminds motorists of the true costs of impaired driving:

• It can cost you your life. In 2009, 10,839 people lost their lives in alcohol-related traffic crashes. That’s about one death every 48 minutes.
• It can cost another’s life.  Alcohol-related traffic crashes don’t only affect the impaired driver. One third of alcohol-involved traffic fatalities are passengers, occupants in other vehicles or pedestrians. 
• It can cost you your freedom. A first-time DUI conviction can result in a six-to 12-month jail sentence, more for repeat offenders and for impaired drivers who injure or kill someone in a crash. Monitoring bracelets, ignition interlock equipment, license revocation and probation also place restrictions on your life.

AAA works year round to educate motorists about driving practices that will help keep them safe and reduce traffic-related crashes and the injuries that can result. PreventDUI.AAA.com is an online resource offering impaired driving facts, transportation alternatives and expert advice. Once there, AAA encourages visitors to Take the Pledge to drive drug and alcohol-free.

AAA forecasts 91.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the 2011-12 year-end holiday travel season, a 1.4 percent increase over the 90.7 million people who traveled one year ago.

This year’s expected year-end holiday travel volume is the second highest in the past decade and represents 30 percent of the total U.S. population.

The 11-day year-end holiday period is the longest holiday travel season of the year, affording many more Americans time to visit family or take vacations. AAA defines the year-end holiday travel season as December 23, 2011 through January 2, 2011.

Economic improvements are continuing at a very slow pace, and consumer surveys show active concern and pessimism over that pace. The measure of economic activity, real gross domestic product, is expected to increase for the fourth quarter of 2011 by 1.5 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. While 1.5 percent growth is still slow, it is a slight increase over the expected 1.3 percent fourth quarter growth predicted only one month ago, and the primary factor expected to drive this year’s modest increase in expected year-end holiday travel.

Fifty-nine percent of intending travelers feel the economy has either no impact on their travel plans or they feel like things have improved for them. The remaining 41 percent state an intention to scale back travel plans due to economic concerns. Last year, 67 percent of intending travelers stated that their travel plans were not impacted by the economic conditions at that time. Given current economic conditions, a majority of travelers reporting no economic impact on their travel plans is a positive sign for the travel industry and another reminder of just how important traveling is to Americans.

AAA’s projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA / IHS Global Insight 2011-12 Year-End Holiday Travel Forecast can be found at NewsRoom.AAA.com.

Automobile is top transportation choice, increases 2.1 percent
Approximately 83.6 million people (91 percent of holiday travelers) plan to take to the nation’s roadways this holiday travel season, a 2.1 percent increase compared to 2010-11 when the number of auto travelers totaled 81.9 million. This year’s projected automobile travel volume is the second highest in the past decade and only 100,000 less than the 2006-07 auto travel peak of 83.7 million. Automobile travel remains the preferred choice of transportation for 2011-12 year-end holiday travelers as nearly 27 percent of the total U.S. population will hit the road.

Air travel down nearly 10 percent
About 5.4 million leisure travelers (six percent of holiday travelers) will fly during the year-end holiday travel period, a 9.7 percent decrease from 2010-11. This year’s air travel volume is the seventh lowest in the past ten years as nearly two million fewer holiday travelers are expected to fly than did during the decade’s air travel peak in 2002-03. Jet fuel costs and capacity cuts continue to impact holiday air travel. According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, year-end holiday airfares are expected to be 21 percent higher than last year with an average lowest round-trip rate of $210 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. This is the highest year-end holiday average airfare in the past five years.  

Train, bus, other modes of travel increases 4.2 percent
Other modes of travel (bus, trains, watercraft, multi-modal travel) will make up the remaining three percent of the total person-trips, with 2.9 million people expected to travel by these modes, 4.2 percent higher than 2010-11. Economic conditions are dictating that some Americans who otherwise might travel by air or automobile are traveling by these alternative modes of transportation.

Hotel rates increase; car rental rates decrease
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond or mid-range lodgings are expected to increase a modest one percent from last year with travelers spending an average of $126 per night compared to $125 one year ago. Travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond hotels can expect to pay four percent more at an average cost of $92 per night, up from $88 last year. Daily car rental rates are $40 on average, a 21 percent decrease from one year ago and the lowest seen in the past five years. As the demand for used cars fluctuates or car manufacturers offer fewer opportunities for buying back fleets it can become harder for car rental companies to shrink their fleet to meet demand. With a larger pool of cars in the market, car rental companies must lower pricing to match supply and demand.

Travel distance decreases; median spending increases
According to a survey of traveler intentions, the average distance traveled by Americans during this holiday travel season is expected to be 726 miles, a decline from 2010-11 when travelers planned to log an average of 1,052 miles. Propelling the reduction in expected travel miles is the 9.7 percent decline in air travel and indications that many air travelers are choosing shorter-distance flights. The percentage of expected trips with a round trip distance above 1,500 miles decreased from 23 percent last year to 17 percent this year. Median spending is expected to be $718, which is a three percent increase from $694 last year. Fuel and transportation costs combine to consume the largest share of holiday spending (32 percent), followed by shopping and food and beverages (tied at 19 percent). Other expenditures include accommodations (15 percent), entertainment and recreation (12 percent), and other costs (four percent).

Year-End Holiday Travel Tips
More Americans travel during the year-end holiday season than during any other holiday period throughout the year. Our nation’s roadways and airports will be busier than normal, so holiday travelers should be sure to pack more patience. AAA offers these important travel tips that can help everyone have an enjoyable and safe holiday season.  

• Plan ahead. Use a travel planning tool like AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner available at AAA.com to help identify the best driving routes, rest stops, and shop the latest gas prices. Our nation’s highways will be crowded with both holiday travelers and day-trippers. Continuously monitor weather conditions along your route and be prepared with contingency plans. Doing your homework could save valuable time, fuel costs, and improve travel safety.
• Arrive early. Airports will be crowded and security steps may be intensified so allow additional time at your departure airport. For domestic flights, arrive at least two hours prior to your departure and arrive at least three hours early for international flights. Busier airports may require even earlier arrival times. Monitor weather conditions closely, and before leaving home, visit your airline’s website for updates about the status of your flight.
• Avoid the 3 Deadly D’s of Driving:
  1. Drunk or Drugged Driving. Remember that impairment begins with the first sip of alcohol.  A designated driver should be alcohol-free, not merely the person in your party who has consumed the least amount of alcohol. Many medications have side effects that cause impairment, so read medication labels thoroughly.
  2. Drowsy Driving. Get seven to nine hours of sleep before driving. Take a break every 100 miles or two hours. Do not drive during hours when you routinely sleep. If you feel tired while driving, pull over to a safe location and take a 20-to 30-minute nap.
  3. Distracted Driving. It is the driver’s responsibility to keep eyes, mind and body fully focused on the task of driving. Assign a passenger to be the designated texter, talker, and navigator. If traveling alone, pull over to a safe location to use your cell phone or adjust your navigation device, then proceed on your trip distraction free. Child and pet passengers can be distractions to drivers, so allow another adult passenger to interact with these family members.              

Ninety AAA eTourBook Guides available for members to download
For year-end vacation planning, members can download AAA’s free digital eTourBook guides for smartphones and ereader devices. Refreshed continuously with new information, each digital guide available for download highlights a top North American travel destination, complete with AAA Editor’s Picks, listings for AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, attractions, events, nightlife and other proprietary information available only through AAA. Top downloads for 2011 from AAA.com/ebooks include Orlando, New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Las Vegas. 

Mobile App helps travelers find directions and more on the go
Travelers concerned about how fuel prices will impact their travel budget can use the free, GPS-based AAA TripTik Mobile app to compare prices for all grades of gasoline at nearby stations. The app also offers all travelers maps and directions and location information for hotels and points of interest. 

In addition to the printed travel guides and maps available at club offices nationwide, AAA makes trip planning tools accessible online and via mobile devices travelers use every day. Along with the TripTik Mobile app, AAA offers iPhone and Android versions of its AAA Discounts, AAA Insurance and AAA Roadside apps. Using GPS technology, AAA Discounts displays nearby locations that offer AAA members a Show Your Card & Save discount. AAA Roadside transmits a user’s location and details about a vehicle breakdown when a member requests AAA Roadside Assistance. The AAA Insurance app provides step-by-step guidance on how to gather valuable crash scene information. Membership is not required to download and use AAA apps but is needed to take advantage of AAA member features and benefits such as discounts.

For those who wait all year to deck the halls or for Jack Frost to nip at their nose, AAA polled its professional inspectors about their favorite places to find holiday magic. Travelers can find extravagant lighting displays, sensational decorations, traditional Christmas dishes and even indoor snowfalls at hotels, restaurants and attractions throughout the United States and Canada.

AAA inspectors’ 12 favorite lodgings for celebrating the holidays are listed below. Find additional lodgings – as well as restaurants and attractions – that provide an abundance of holiday cheer on the AAA travel blog at AAATravelViews.com.

The American Club, Kohler, Wis.
AAA Five Diamond Classic Historic Resort Hotel
During the Christmas season this distinguished, world-class hotel wraps its trees in thousands of white lights and features professional carolers. On weekends, rides are offered in heated, enclosed horse-drawn carriages around the beautifully decorated town of Kohler. For the young ones, the hotel offers a variety of fun programs including a breakfast with Santa and ornament decorating.

Embassy Suites Niagara Falls Fallsview, Niagara Falls, Ontario
CAA/AAA Three Diamond Hotel
This hotel offers some of the most spectacular views of Niagara Falls available. Through Jan. 31, 2012, the CAA Winter Festival of Lights fills the city with holiday spirit. Each Friday night a spectacular fireworks display explodes over the Falls – and what better place to view it than from the comfort of your toasty warm room! The festival also includes a massive light display along the Niagara Parkway and at Dufferin Islands and a schedule of special events including concerts and family-friendly activities like ice skating at the TD Rink at the Brink.

The Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Alberta
CAA/AAA Four Diamond Historic Resort Hotel
In the heart of the Canadian Rockies, just a 90-minute drive from Calgary, this beautiful, castle-like chateau is a recreational mecca for families wanting an active holiday vacation. Downhill skiing and snowboarding are available at three area resorts. Beautiful decorations, caroling and holiday receptions make this a winter wonderland. Be sure to book early as the Christmas and New Year timeframe is high season here, and the hotel is usually booked to capacity well in advance.

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle, Wash.
AAA Four Diamond Historic Hotel
This historic hotel transforms into Christmas Central for downtown Seattle with the public areas decked out in holiday décor. The hotel has regular holiday activities from Thanksgiving to Christmas including the “Christmas in Venice” gingerbread village, local choirs and a teddy bear suite ideal for themed stories and kids photo opportunities. For a special experience, try the holiday tea or enjoy a holiday meal with the family. 

Fitzroy Hall, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
CAA/AAA Three Diamond Historic Bed & Breakfast
During the holidays, the innkeepers lovingly transform this historic property into a portrait of days gone by. With its high-ceilinged rooms decorated with Christmas trees, wreaths and twinkling lights, and the atmosphere pungent with the scent of fir boughs and nutmeg, the effect is both festive and magical. Traditional delicacies such as mincemeat tarts, ginger cookies, and spiced eggnog can be savored by the fire. Stepping out into the twilight of a snowy Charlottetown, guests think they’ve stepped into a Dickens novel.

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas
AAA Four Diamond Resort Hotel
Every year this hotel becomes a winter wonderland. The interior is a beautiful sight to see with 1.5 million lights, holiday decorations and children’s activities. The best part is that it doesn’t cost anything to tour the hotel, and you are not outside, in the elements! Using more than 2 million pounds of ice, artists have created a unique “Shrek the Halls” theme for this year’s experience. Additionally, they are offering Kung Fu Panda snow tubing with real snow!

Great Wolf Lodge, Lightfoot, Va.
AAA Three Diamond Resort Hotel
During the holiday season, Great Wolf Lodge becomes a magical place with extensive activities and decorations. Children can attend special craft and Santa letter writing workshops, North Pole University and Elves Cub Club events. Nightly snowfalls and carols in the lobby are a special treat. New this year, a life-size gingerbread cottage is open for dining. The large resort also offers an indoor water park, spa, teen zone, kids club, arcade and other family-oriented activities.  

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Asheville, N.C.
AAA Three Diamond Hotel
Each year, the National Gingerbread House Competition is held at the historic Grove Park Inn. Viewing for this year’s competition, the 19th annual, will be open through Jan. 1, 2012 – from Sunday to Thursday for the public and any time for hotel guests. Competitors at all skill levels and from across the country bring their creations, ranging from quaint cottages to elaborate castles. Wandering among the cinnamon-scented and candy-flecked concoctions is sure to put guests in a holly-jolly frame of mind.

Marriott Kansas City Downtown, Kansas City, Mo.
AAA Three Diamond Hotel
The interior of the hotel is decorated for the season, but the most remarkable display appears on the building’s exterior. A 22-story-high light show on the south side of the building is visible from most of downtown. The display rotates through countless holiday scenes, from the lighting of a giant tree to Santa sliding down a chimney, for hours of viewing.

The Saint Paul Hotel, St. Paul, Minn.
AAA Four Diamond Classic Historic Hotel
This grande dame hotel in downtown St. Paul gets all decked out for the holidays. Go for a skate around the outdoor ice rink, then come in and enjoy afternoon tea by the fireplace. Enjoy an evening stroll under falling snow to see the twinkling lights and giant Christmas tree in Rice Park, followed by a traditional holiday feast at the St. Paul Grill. Top it off with a horse-drawn carriage ride around the downtown historic area.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island, S.C.
AAA Five Diamond Resort Hotel
From its oceanfront location to its high-end restaurants and superior service, this property specializes in elegance. During the holidays, the hotel embellishes its elaborate décor with traditional decorations. A collection of gingerbread houses is formally unveiled in early December to much pomp and circumstance, and Saturday means it is cookie decorating time. For the kids, Mrs. Claus offers a holiday storybook tea, including a keepsake copy of the book, while Santa offers early evening tuck-ins.

West Baden Springs Hotel, West Baden Springs, Ind.
AAA Four Diamond Classic Historic Resort Hotel
The expansive domed atrium of this 1902 historic spa hotel is impressive in its own right, but with the added beauty of a 40-foot Christmas tree and hundreds of twinkling lights, the atmosphere is downright magical. Perfect for a romantic holiday retreat, couples can take advantage of the on-site spa to relax from the stress of the season. This season, families can also take a round-trip ride on the “Polar Express” each weekend in December at the nearby Indiana Railway Museum.

For more AAA inspector picks, insider tips and travel stories, visit AAA’s travel blog at AAATravelViews.com.

About AAA Inspections
AAA rates more properties than any other rating entity and is the only rating system that covers the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. It is one of only two that conduct physical, on-site evaluations. AAA/CAA Approved lodgings and restaurants are assigned a rating of One to Five Diamonds. For 75 years AAA has used professional inspectors to conduct in-person property inspections and publish the results for member travelers.

Listings of AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants can be accessed in the AAA TourBook guides, online at AAA.com/Travel and from smartphones using the free AAA TripTik Mobile app or AAA Mobile Web. In addition, AAA members can download free, digital eTourBook guides at AAA.com/ebooks.

Thanks to AAA Hoosier Motor Club’s newest preferred travel partner–Sports Travel and Tours–college bowl game travel packages are now available that include hotel accommodations, game tickets, car rental, twenty-four hour trip assistance and a souvenir.

Purdue will battle Western Michigan in the Little Caesars Bowl Dec. 27, 2011 in Detroit, MI.

In the Belk Bowl (Charlotte, NC) Dec. 27, 2011, Louisville will meet NC State.

Notre Dame will face Florida State Dec. 29, 2011 in Orlando, FL during the Champs Sports Bowl.

The Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN will put Cincinnati against Vanderbilt Dec. 31, 2011.

Anyone interested in booking a 3 day/2 night college bowl game package should contact their nearest AAA Hoosier Motor Club travel agent.

One of the most anticipated activities of the holiday season is the decorating. The smell of a fresh tree, the glistening garland hanging from its branches, and the glow of candles all are synonymous with Christmas. However, trees and other holiday decorations can pose safety hazards if used improperly.

Remember the following tips to keep your Christmas decorating merry:

Trees – If you buy a fresh tree, choose one with green needles that are hard to pull from the branch and that bend without breaking. The base of the tree should be sticky to the touch. Place the tree a safe distance away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, and keep it away from high traffic areas and doorways. Mount the tree in a sturdy stand; fasten a large tree to the wall or ceiling with thin guy wires. Keep the tree stand full of water at all times.

Lights – Use lights that have the “UL” label. Check all lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Outdoor lights should be weatherproof and fastened securely. Use no more than three sets of lights per extension cord. Don’t use lights on a metallic tree because the tree can become charged with electricity if the lights are faulty. Always turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house.

Candles – Never use lighted candles on a fresh tree or near other evergreens. Stand candles in nonflammable holders and place the holders where they can’t be knocked over.

Trimmings – Use flame-retardant decorations. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles made from plastic or nonleaded metals because materials containing lead are poisonous if ingested by children or pets. Spun glass “angel hair” is flameproof; however, if nonflammable artificial snow is sprayed on it, the combination burns rapidly.

Gift Giving – Make safety a holiday priority in your gift giving when selecting children’s toys. Recent recalls of toys with lead paint or other defects highlight just some of the issues to keep in mind about toy safety. The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers more guidelines to keep the kids on your holiday shopping list safe:

• Don’t buy toy chests without safety hinges on the lids.
• Select toys appropriate for the skills, abilities and interests of a child.
• Make sure all instructions are clear to you and, when appropriate, to the child.
• Toys with long strings or cords are not recommended for infants and very young children because they can cause strangulation. Never hang toys with long strings, cords, loops or ribbons in cribs or playpens where children can become entangled.
• Discard plastic wrapping on toys immediately before it becomes a deadly plaything.
• Check toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Sitting around a cozy, warm fire can be a wonderful family experience but can quickly turn tragic if you don’t follow safety precautions.

There are several steps you should take before ever lighting a fire:

• Have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned annually. Both should be properly vented and free of any blockage.
• Put a guard on top of your chimney to keep out birds and small animals. The guard will also shield sparks that could set your roof on fire.
• Keep newspapers, magazines, rugs and carpeting a safe distance away from the fireplace.
• Remove any holiday decorations from the fireplace and mantle before lighting a fire. Decorations can easily ignite.
• Teach children to stay away from the fireplace.
• Be sure that an adult is in the room at all times when a fire is burning.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of an emergency.

There are also some things you should never do when you light a fire:

• Never burn charcoal in your fireplace because it produces carbon monoxide, which is deadly.
• Never light a fire without enclosing the fireplace’s opening with glass doors or a sturdy screen. This will prevent sparks from escaping that could ignite curtains or furniture.
• Never close the flue while a fire is still smoldering because it could result in a buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Never use gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid to start a fire. Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood.
• Never light a fire with anything other than long-stemmed matches.

If you have a small, self-contained fire, you can use a Class ABC extinguisher to put it out. Your local fire department can train you how to use it properly.

Whenever extinguishing a fire, be sure to keep your back to a safe exit so that you can escape if necessary.

If a large fire breaks out, act immediately because smoke and flames will spread quickly. You and your family should leave the house at once. Don’t stop to call the fire department and don’t try to extinguish the fire yourself. Fumes overcome most victims long before flames do. If you must go through the smoke to escape, get down on your hands and knees on the floor and crawl with your body as low to the floor as possible. Keep your head about 12 to 24 inches above the floor. After you and your family are safely out of the house, call the fire department from a neighbor’s home.

To ensure your family’s safety, conduct periodic fire drills. Know your safest escape route and be sure you and your family have a designated meeting place outside the house. And finally, practice crawling out of a room so that everyone knows exactly what to do if the need ever arises.