LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: Here is a hint for your readers with children. Before you go anywhere, make a plan about what to do if a child gets lost or separated. It is helpful to have one plan that works in any situation, but families are different and plans will be different. Do you want them to stop and stay right where they are until you come back? Do you want them to find an adult, preferably one in uniform? They need to know that it’s OK to ask for help, or you can designate a meet-up place. Whatever the plan is, practice it and stick to it.
- Nina in Utah
DEAR HELOISE: In the news reports after every disaster, we see people clutching pets in their arms. I cringe to think about the frightened animals getting away. Every pet owner should get a nylon web collar or harness and use a permanent marker to write his or her phone number on it. Tags are great, but can be pulled off. Practicing wearing the collar is important, too, for pets not used to a restraint. Keep this and a leash in your “emergency kit,” and you will have a clean collar with clear information on it, ready to use.
Don’t forget to have a recent pet picture, along with vaccination records, in a plastic baggie.
- Diana Jones, Texas
DEAR READER: Two matching laundry baskets tied together with nylon cord works as an emergency pet kennel.
DEAR HELOISE: I use small furniture sliders under my heavy countertop mixer. They work beautifully to allow me to slide the mixer forward when I want to use it. I don’t need to remove the sliders to use the mixer; it is stable when running and doesn’t vibrate or move around.
- Wanda Jewett, Beavercreek, Ohio
DEAR HELOISE: I read the hint from the reader about using a thrift-store glass microwave turntable as a replacement part. I have used the glass turntable on my bathroom counter for my perfume and cologne bottles.
- A Reader, via e-mail
DEAR HELOISE: When washing dishes by hand, I always put my knives on the right side of the sink with points facing away from me so I won’t get cut picking them up.
- Linda Z., Rotonda West, Fla.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio,Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail Heloise@Heloise.com
HomeStyle, Pages 34 on 01/05/2013