DEAR READERS: School has or is about to start in many parts of the country. That means it's time for kids to tote notebooks, lunchboxes, laptop and tablet computers, papers, projects, purses, etc. That's a lot of heavy stuff to carry back and forth -- too heavy, and it can strain the body. Here are some hints:
• Purchase a backpack made for the age and size of your child, or you.
• Distribute items evenly in the pack.
• The backpack should be carried over both shoulders, not slung over one. A backpack should weigh no more than 10 percent to 15 percent of a child's body weight when packed.
• A person should be able to easily stand up and not have to slump forward while wearing the backpack.
P.S. Having "backpacked" around Europe for six weeks when I was just out of college, I can attest to the strain of a backpack used for camping or hiking that is too heavy or not packed right. Sue, my friend with whom I traveled, would help me "saddle up," then I'd help her heft her backpack.
We learned to pack lighter, put often-used items on top and heavy ones on the bottom.
FYI: Clean the thing out every week or so. Oh my, some of the items that smelled or were not needed.
DEAR READERS: Take an hour to clean out the trunk of your car. Sort and donate things you don't use, and find a place in the house for things you do use. Carrying less cargo may improve your gas mileage.
Next, sprinkle some baking soda in the trunk to deodorize. Let it sit for an hour or overnight, and then vacuum thoroughly. The baking soda will absorb any bad odors.
DEAR READERS: Does your silverware tray slide around in the drawer? Take paper towel cores and slip them behind the tray. This should keep the tray snug in the drawer.
DEAR HELOISE: To change up my patio chairs, I use cheap, fun beach/bath towels. I fold over the four edges of the towel about 3 inches and sew the edges. I hook the corners around the top and bottom of the chairs, then tuck any extra material between the cushion.
I can throw them in the wash so guests are always sitting on clean cushions, and also change the look so that my set always looks new.
-- Susan S., Irvine, Calif.
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
Weekend on 08/24/2017