Be prepared when you’re calling 911

DEAR READERS: During the holidays, our homes are filled with lots of people, lots of excitement and lots of ways that emergencies can happen, such as a fire, medical situation, cooking burns, children’s accidents and much more. You should know what to do in each situation. Here are the steps you should take if you have to report an emergency to 911 and need help fast. When you call, try to remain calm.

1. Tell the operator what you are reporting, like a medical emergency.

2. The person will ask relevant questions, such as when and where, and ask you to describe the situation.

3. Try to answer questions with as much detail as you can give.

4. Follow any instructions the operator may give you.

5. Call back if the situation changed or you need more info.

DEAR READERS: If you are going to have champagne with your festive holiday celebration, take note that there is a right way to open a bottle of champagne. It’s important that you open your favorite bubbly without allowing the cork to zoom out. Champagne experts say that you should slant the bottle at a 45-degree angle, away from guests. Keep your thumb on the cork, loosen the wire muzzle and slowly twist the bottle. Keep your hand on the cork, and it will come out without popping out or fizzing all over. Enjoy!

DEAR READERS: If you have received beautiful flowers during the holidays, here’s how you can make them last longer and keep them fresh. Change the water every other day and cut off 1⁄4inch of the stem. Do not put them in direct sunlight or near any heat source. Strip off leaves or anything that goes below the water line, but leave on anything above the water line.

DEAR READERS: Energy costs seem to rise during the winter. But there are a number of small, simple steps that you and your family can take to help you conserve heating usage and save on winter heating costs.

While this may seem obvious, turn the heating temperature down (meaning LOWER) when you leave for any length of time and when you go to work. When home, keep the temperature at about 68 degrees or lower.

When it is sunny outside, open the curtains and blinds to allow the sunshine to come in your home, especially on the west side of your house. It will help warm the room.

Finally, make certain your furnace is operating well. Have a heating pro inspect it. The better shape it’s in, the more efficient it will operate.