Handling kitchen fires
Dear Readers:
When you are cooking, it’s easy for fires to start for a variety of reasons. If it’s a large fire, call 911 right away. If a small fire erupts, it’s important that you handle it ASAP. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, grab a box of baking soda. When the flareup happens, turn off the heat, stand back and then toss a handful or two of baking soda onto the base of the flames. Caution: Never use this method on a deep-fat fryer fire because it could splash in the grease and spread the fire. It’s a good idea to have a fire extinguisher or two in your home.
Dear Readers: — Heloise
Animal shelters are often in great need of volunteers, food, cat litter, newspapers, towels and blankets. Call a shelter near you to find out exactly what they need. Then you can go through your linen closet and take out all the old towels and blankets. Save newspapers, which can be used to line cages. Take these to the shelter, and while you are at it, why not make a donation or ask about volunteering?
Heloise Dear Readers: — Heloise Dear Readers: —
If you have a collection of wire hangers that you are not using, don’t get rid of them.
Repurpose them to hang paper towels or toilet paper on a camping trip. Unbend the hangers and use the straight end to clean out a drain. Hangers also can hold rolls of wrapping paper. Straighten one out and put a cleaning cloth on the end with a rubber band to clean under the refrigerator.
Pets can pass on illnesses. Salmonellosis and other illnesses caused by bacteria can be transferred to humans by reptiles, cats and dogs. In infected pets, the bacteria may be found in feces, which you could come into contact with. To prevent this, monitor your pet’s health, wash your hands after touching pets and schedule regular checkups for your pets with your vet.
— Heloise Dear Readers:
Are crawdads, mudbugs, crawfish and crayfish the same? Yes! These freshwater crustaceans actually look like tiny lobsters complete with claws and are 3 to 6 inches long. Crawfish are usually boiled and turn fireengine red when cooked. My favorite way to enjoy crawfish is battered and deep-fried Ñ what’s called Cajun popcorn, a dish popularized by famous New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme
— Heloise Dear Readers:
If you keep furniture in the same place in your living room or elsewhere, it will definitely make dents in the carpet. To prevent this, move furniture around occasionally. Here’s how to get the dents out. Place an ice cube in each dent and let it melt slowly. Allow the moisture to stay until it’s melted. Then blot up any leftover moisture in the dents. Finally, use your fingers to fluff up the carpet.
— Heloise