Every year, holiday travelers take to the skies and ride the rails, but most hit the highways. This year, AAA projects 43.6 million people will travel at least 50 miles from their home – approximately 90 percent of whom are expected to drive – over the Thanksgiving holiday. Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona has some tips to help you stay safe on the road this holiday season.

• Create a car safety kit: Holiday driving may include the threat of dangerous winter weather. Snow and ice can lead to accidents, especially for Florida residents who may not be used to driving in such conditions. Prepare for bad weather by creating a safety kit that includes blankets, flashlights with extra batteries, a radio, a first aid kit, jumper cables, non-perishable foods like granola bars and nuts, bottled water, an ice scraper and warm gloves.
• Take the car in for a checkup: Breaking down can definitely put a damper on the holiday spirit! Take your car in for a checkup before making the trip. At the very least, check the car’s fluid levels, wipers and tires. If you plan on driving through serious winter weather, consider getting snow tires.
• Start early and slow down: You will be one of millions traveling for the holidays. Give yourself extra time to make the trip. Don’t speed: speeding leads to accidents and traffic tickets, both of which delay your trip even more. Anticipate delays and schedule appropriately.
• Take your BBB with you: When you’re away from home and in the midst of an emergency, it’s hard to know which businesses – such as tow trucks and locksmiths – are trustworthy. BBB’s free iPhone app and mobile website can help you find businesses you can trust when you can’t get to a computer.
• Drop the distractions: Make sure you’re not driving when turning to BBB! According to the National Safety Council, nearly 25 percent of accidents happen when people are distracted by talking on their cell phones or sending text messages. When you’re behind the wheel, don’t send or read text messages or surf the web. If you think you’ll be tempted to talk on the phone, turn it off, put it on silent or hand over control of the phone to another passenger. And nominate someone else to fumble with the GPS.

For additional information and advice you can trust, start with www.tucson.bbb.org.

Last year, consumers turned to the Better Business Bureau 87 million times to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities. Now they can have that information in the palm of their hand with the release of the official BBB Search app, a convenient, mobile BBB solution available for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The app was approved by the Apple Store and is available for download as of today.

“For 100 years, BBB has been the trusted source for unbiased information on businesses and charities,” said Kim States, BBB President. “We have data on more than 4 million businesses in the United States and Canada – an amazing wealth of information to help consumers find trustworthy businesses…and to help them avoid those that are not. We are excited to offer this information to consumers on the go.”

BBB Search features include:

• Search for Southern Arizona businesses by name, phone, URL, or category type
• Search via current location or specified city, state or ZIP code
• Display search results in list or map views (more…)

If you have a smart phone, android or mobile device, you’ve probably used apps. Easy to download and often free, apps allow you to play games, get directions and access news, weather and other information. In 2010 alone, consumers downloaded approximately 11 billion apps. Tablets, smart phones, andoids and mobile devices are taking over the digital market.

While apps are great ways to enjoy your smart phone, consumers should understand that not all apps are created equal and some may end up costing you more than you thought.

“Mobile apps allow consumers to do almost anything on their smart phones,” said Kim States, BBB President. “But some consumers download them without thinking about what they’re paying for, what information the app might gather or who gets that information.”

Here are some questions and answers to help consumers understand mobile apps.

• How do I pay for my apps? It depends on where and how consumers download. Phone plans may contain monthly data charges or consumers may be paying per download. As well, app stores often require consumers to provide credit card information and create an account to make purchases.
• Why are some apps free? While consumers pay for some apps, others are offered free and make money in different ways.
• What types of information can apps access? It depends on the app itself. Some may be able to access phone and email contacts, call logs and device location. Some access only the (more…)