Laura Bennett
Editor, SHOP & SPOT
Laura Bennett is the pen name of the SHOP & SPOT editorial team. She writes our seasonal guides for U.S. readers, from food safety and winter weather to travel rules, pets and cars, and checks every figure against the official source it comes from.
How Laura works
- Every guide starts from a question people in the U.S. actually search for.
- Facts come from primary sources, mostly U.S. government agencies and the official pages of companies and professional groups. Each one is linked in the guide.
- When a tip is our own advice rather than an official rule, the guide says so.
- Guides are researched and drafted with the help of AI tools, then checked against the cited sources before they’re published. More in Our editors and How we pick.
Found a mistake? Tell us and we’ll fix it.
Guides by Laura Bennett
PetsPoinsettias and Pets
How risky they are, and what’s worse.
Home & organizationEasy-to-Clean Humidifiers
What to check before you buy one for the bedroom.
PetsCan Dogs Eat Turkey?
The risky parts of the holiday meal, and what to do.
AutoSnow Brush and Ice Scraper
Choose by your vehicle’s height, not a ranking.
Home & organizationWhere to Put CO Detectors
Every level, outside sleeping areas, tested monthly.
TravelWill a 22 × 14 × 9 Bag Fit?
How to measure a carry-on the way airlines do.
PetsChocolate and Dogs
Which chocolate is worst, and who to call.
CelebrationsChristmas Light Safety
Check strands, outlets and your ladder.
PetsDog Boots for Snow
When they help, and how to get the fit right.
CelebrationsAvoid Gift Card Scams
Check the card, keep the receipt, know the red flags.
PetsHow Cold Is Too Cold for Dogs?
Warning signs, and how to keep walks safe.
KitchenHow Long Leftovers Last
The 2-hour rule, 3 to 4 days, reheat to 165°F.
KitchenHow Long Eggs Last
Fridge and freezer times, and where to store them.
KitchenHow Long Ground Beef Lasts
Raw, cooked and frozen times, from the federal chart.
CelebrationsHow Long to Thaw a Turkey
Fridge and cold-water times by weight.
FashionHow Shoes Should Fit
The half-inch rule and other fit checks.
Home & organizationHow to Clean a Dryer Vent
The filter, the duct and the outside flap.
FashionHow to Dress for the Cold
Layers, a shell, a hat and mittens.
AutoHow to Drive in Snow
Slow inputs, more space, no cruise control.
CelebrationsKeep a Christmas Tree Fresh
Daily water, distance from heat, and when to toss it.
OutdoorsHow to Prevent Frostbite
The early signs, and how to warm up safely.
KitchenPut Out a Grease Fire
Lid on, burner off, and never water.
TechHow to Recycle Batteries
Sort them, tape them and find a drop-off.
TechRecycle Old Electronics
Wipe your data, remove batteries, find a recycler.
OutdoorsShovel Snow Safely
Push, don’t lift, and know when to stop.
FashionWash a Down Jacket
Front-loader, down wash, low heat, patience.
FashionWash a Wool Sweater
Wool cycle or hand wash, then dry it flat.
TechWipe an iPhone Before Selling
Apple’s steps, in the right order.
OutdoorsHypothermia Symptoms
The warning signs, and what to do right away.
OutdoorsIce Thickness Chart
How thick ice should be, from walking to trucks.
FashionLaundry Symbols Explained
Decode the care label in under a minute.
AutoThe Penny Test
A one-minute tread check before winter.
TravelPersonal Item Size Limits
What fits under the seat, airline by airline.
TechPhone Battery Health
How to read the percentage, and when to act.
TechPower Banks on a Plane
The watt-hour limits that matter when you fly.
TravelREAL ID Requirements
Check your license before your next flight.
KitchenSafe Cooking Temperatures
165°F for chicken, and the rest of the chart.
Home & organizationWhere Smoke Alarms Belong
Bedrooms, every level, and away from the kitchen.
Home & organizationSpace Heater Safety
The 3-foot rule and other habits that matter.
AutoTire Pressure in the Cold
Why the light comes on, and how to fix it.
TravelThe TSA Liquids Rule
What fits in the quart bag, and what’s exempt.
TravelPreCheck vs. Global Entry
Costs, benefits and who each one is for.
CelebrationsTurkey Roasting Pan Sizes
Match the pan to the bird and your oven.
OutdoorsWind Chill Explained
How the number works, and when it’s dangerous.
AutoWinter Car Emergency Kit
NHTSA’s list, and what to do if you’re stranded.