Dear Heloise: Since hand sanitizer is in short supply these days, I keep a pair of thin gardening gloves in the door pocket of my SUV for when I pump gas. So now my gloves keep my hands safe from germs. Every time I pump gas using the gloves, as soon as I get back in the car, I remove them and put them in a plastic bag and bring them home to toss in the wash right away. — Trena in California

Trena, this is a great idea, especially now when we must be extra careful. You might want to keep a spare pair just in case you have another errand the same day, such as using an ATM. — Heloise

AVOID IRS SCAMS

Dear Readers: We have received a significant number of emails and letters from readers asking about IRS scams and how to avoid being a victim of fraudsters. Here are some hints to avoid the scammers:

* Hang up on calls that claim to be from the IRS. An IRS agent is NOT going to contact you by text messages, social media or email. They typically send you a letter. Nor will they threaten you with police action, to drag you to jail or to deport you. Nor will they take away your Social Security.

* Never give out your Social Security number, no matter what they tell you.

* Beware of “ghost preparers.” A professional tax preparer must have an identification number, and they always sign your return. Ghost tax preparers who are frauds won’t sign your return. To check on whether your tax preparer has the right credentials, go to irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf.

* The IRS has an online resource where you can report identity theft at www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central.

EATING GELATIN

Dear Heloise: We have a bet on the following: Can you safely eat fruit flavored gelatin straight out of the box? The winner gets a large chocolate shake. — Hopeful in Waco, Texas

Hopeful, people who participate in sports often take a packet of gelatin with them and consume it during the day without any ill effects. It will taste stronger and maybe a little bitter, but your stomach acids should break it down safely. I hope you win the chocolate shake. — Heloise

WHERE IS THE SPARE?

Dear Heloise: Why are newer cars sold without a spare tire? I find that very dangerous, especially for women who could be stuck alone at night in a remote place! — Karen in Virginia

Karen, yes, many automakers don’t include a spare tire. The reason? Auto makers must meet government mandated fuel economy standards. To achieve this, they make changes to decrease the weight of the vehicle, and eliminating the spare tire was just one of several solutions they had to consider. You can purchase a spare tire, along with a jack, at an auto parts store. — Heloise

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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.