DEAR READERS: "Social networking" -- you hear it all the time. It can be a great platform to keep in touch with friends and family. But being knowledgeable about ways to prevent dangerous situations should be a priority for anyone, with or without children.
This "new" way of communicating is super, but you and your children should be aware of possible pitfalls. Here are some suggestions from the National Crime Prevention Council:
• Learn everything you can about social-networking terminology so you can keep up with your kids.
• Less is best: When creating profiles, post the least amount of information, and never give "optional" information, such as date of birth, etc.
• Suspicious intentions can be masked by people posing as "friends of friends."
• Limit tagging: While it's fun to do, predators can track your whereabouts and movements.
• Photo tampering: Photos can be changed using the computer, then placed back online without your knowledge.
From me: Teach your children (and you take heed, too) that what they "see" online may not be real or the truth.
P.S.: When in doubt, don't post! Once it's posted, even if removed, it's still out there forever!
DEAR HELOISE: When I fly, I always have antibacterial wipes with me. I wipe the armrests and tray table. You wouldn't believe how dirty those wipes get at times. Anytime I can do my part to cut down on the spread of germs, I will.
-- T.K. in Atlanta
DEAR READER: Good advice. Remember, the planes are not cleaned completely after each flight -- the airplane may go on to (or be coming from) many different stops.
I have a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse, and I use some on a tissue to do the same. I no longer come home from a business trip coughing and sneezing.
DEAR HELOISE: Before recycling my craft magazines, I go through them and choose which patterns I want to keep. I carefully cut out the pattern pages, then place them in plastic page protectors. I store them in my craft binder behind the appropriate tab. It sure beats storing a bunch of craft magazines, and I have a lot of them.
-- Geri M. in Houston
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com
MovieStyle on 08/12/2016