DEAR READERS: Who gets Spam email? Lots of you? "Spam" is unasked-for electronic advertising that is annoying, but it's also expensive in terms of wasting hours and, potentially, dollars.
Advertisers "blast" spam advertising to as many recipients as they can. They typically are hawking "get-rich" programs and other shady services and products.
How can you lessen the spam email that you get? Here are some hints, courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission (consumer.ftc.gov):
• Your email shouldn't be posted on social media.
• When using a website, make sure it protects your information and won't sell your email address.
• Common email addresses are more susceptible to spammers -- janesmith can be more easily found and used than jan3$m1th, for example.
These hints should help reduce the spam.
DEAR HELOISE: A fire is cozy this time of year, but I wanted to remind your readers not to toss anything into the fireplace except logs. Needles from pine trees are dangerous -- they can heat up faster, which can create sparks that can shoot into the room.
Greenery can cause creosote to build up. Creosote is a tar-like, oily residue that can irritate your skin and lungs.
Holiday cleanup should be complete by now, but another reminder is to not burn paper, especially wrapping paper. It can contain metallic particles.
-- Daniel S., Indiana
DEAR HELOISE: My daughter taught me a way to keep my jeans nice-looking. From day one, when I wash them, I turn them inside out.
If they fade, they will fade "back" to the outside. I've done this for years, and the jeans look as nice as they did new.
-- Lee W., Lima, Ohio
DEAR HELOISE: There's no outdoor gardening for me this time of year, but I still want to exercise my green thumb. When potting plants, I line the bottom with a paper coffee filter. Excess water will drain out, but the soil and nutrients will not. Less mess.
-- V.H. in Ohio
DEAR HELOISE: An easy way to check car lights is in a closed garage. Go through the light cycle and check the rear lights against the door through the rear-view mirror.
-- Merle C., Salem, Ore.
DEAR READER: Make sure the engine is off.
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
Style on 01/23/2018