Make sure family can access records

DEAR READERS: During the pandemic, this is a good time to make sure you have one or two spots where all your family records are kept. It could be a safety deposit box, on your computer (and in the cloud) or in a secure drawer at home. Make certain family members have access to them, in case of an emergency. Here’s what you should include in your records list:

Will and trust agreements, along with insurance policies and funeral plans. Safety-deposit box key and information (make a list of what’s in the box). Bank and brokerage accounts, pension plans and business records. Credit cards and Social Security numbers. Doctor, family lawyer and hospital data.

DEAR READERS: With the abundant amount of available vegetables and fruits in the summer, it’s, important to store them correctly so they last longer. Use these hints to keep your vegetables as fresh as possible:

Store vegetables in the refrigerator in perforated plastic bags. Use the crisper drawer to keep veggies moist. In new refrigerators, adjust the humidity controls in the crisper drawer. Place fruits and vegetables in separate drawers. Be aware that potatoes, onions, garlic and tomatoes shouldn’t be stored in the refrigerator.

DEAR READERS: As we know, home appliances do break down and need repairs, which can be expensive, more so if the warranty has expired. Always keep the booklets that come with new appliances so you can read the troubleshooting section to find out the steps you need to take before calling a repair service. Here are some steps to take:

1. Check to see if the appliance is properly plugged in.

2. Examine the fuses to be certain that one has not blown.

3. See if the lid or doors might be ajar or are not closed tightly.

DEAR READERS: If your kids are bored with breakfast, try these two fun ideas to liven it up: Put cut-up fruit or yogurt in ice-cream cones. You can also make a crunchy breakfast bread. Here’s the recipe:

Breakfast Bread: Mix two lightly beaten eggs, 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter, 1/4 cup honey, 2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder and 3 cups of your child’s favorite dry, pebble-type cereal. Spread onto a greased 8-inch pan and bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

DEAR READERS: Household sponges do get filled with bacteria after lots of kitchen cleaning. It’s important to clean sponges frequently. Take these steps to kill germs:

1. Mix 3/4 cup bleach with 1 gallon of water.

2. Place sponges in this mixture and soak for a while, then rinse.

3. Buy sponges when they are on sale. Toss out sponges frequently, especially kitchen sponges.

To share a hint, write to P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000.