Decorating safely
Dear Readers: Here are some Christmas decorating safety hints, courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association (www. nfpa.org):
■ Look for decorations that are flame-resistant. This is important.
■ Worn cords and loose bulbs are fire hazards.
■ Never use indoor lights outdoors, or vice versa.
■ Mount lights with clips. Nails can damage the cord.
■ Real candles are dangerous. Look for beautiful flameless choices.
The NFPA reminds us to turn off all decorations and stringed lights at the end of the evening. Don’t go to bed with them on. — Heloise
Avoiding gift gaffes
Dear Heloise: I have some hints to share: I save shipping and durable grocery-item boxes for use as gift boxes. The boxes stores provide aren’t very strong.
I put a lovely Christmas card in each of our neighbors’ mailboxes on Christmas Eve, along with some baked goodies.
On greeting cards that have the price on the back, I put a cute sticker over it. — Ellen F., Manassas, Va.
Apple slices
Dear Heloise: For an on-the-go snack, I place apple slices in a zippered sandwich bag, zip it closed almost all the way across, insert a straw into bag, suck the air out and close the bag the rest of the way. This will keep the apples fresh, cold and crisp a bit longer. — Janet Z., Devine, Texas
Poinsettia pointers
Dear Heloise: I read your column in The Delaware (Ohio) Gazette. Recently, I forgot to water my poinsettia plant for about a week! I then poured a cup of water through the soil several times. When the water didn’t run through anymore, about half an hour later, the plant started to perk up! — Alice F., Mount Gilead, Ohio
Alice, these are hardy plants that can last well into the new year. The Uni- versity of Illinois Extension has some hints for caring for poinsettia plants:
The plants need indirect sunlight for around six hours per day. Drafty spots in your home are bad for the plants. Houseplant fertilizer, applied once every 30 days, will extend the life of the plant. When it’s in bloom? Don’t fertilize. Hugs! — Heloise
Snow cover
Household Hints
Dear Heloise: We are garageless, so snow accumulation can be a problem. I take a tarp and bungee cords, and cover the car when snow is called for. When I need to get going, I’ll carefully release the tarp in the direction I want the snow to go. —A Reader in New York
Solar lights
Dear Heloise: We just had a power outage that lasted overnight. I noticed my LED solar walkway lights in my front yard. They are BRIGHT! I put these lights in containers and left them around the house.
This worked beautifully, and they are safer than candles and oil lamps. — Kathy W., Lancaster, Calif. Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise. com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.