HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: Halloween is fun for kids, but can be stressful for pets. Keep these Halloween pet hints in mind:

Lots of people can be scary and confusing for animals, and they may not recognize you in your costume. Put the dogs in a quiet room, away from trickor-treaters.

Candy and sweets are terrible, and potentially toxic, for dogs and cats to consume.

Decorations can pose tripping and fire hazards.

Pet costumes, while cute, can be uncomfortable and binding, and can limit an animal’s senses, like hearing and vision.

Make sure all pets are up to date on their shots, and their microchip information is current.

Have a happy Halloween.

DEAR HELOISE: In response to a recent hint, I couldn’t resist sending reasons to wear shoes in the house:

My bare feet get cold, and socks can be slippery.

Sweat, dirt and skin oil on bare feet are even yuckier than dirty shoes.

I wear a doctor-prescribed orthotic insert.

It hurts to run your toe into furniture, etc., or to step on small plastic toys.

I bring a pair of slippers when I visit homes where shoes are not allowed.

— Virginia Hart, via email

DEAR HELOISE: I supervise and let my grandkids use spray air freshener under the bed lightly as “monster deterrent” when they spend the night.

— Grannie Annie in Ohio

DEAR HELOISE: When I have a slumber party, we like to give each other manicures and pedicures. We’ve made it extra fun — we polish each toenail and fingernail a different color.

And making designs is easy — with a toothpick, it’s simple to make polka dots, and two dots with one underneath can make a heart. Dots in a circle can look like a flower. Pull a dot down with the toothpick to make a swirl or a leaf design.

We have tons of fun with our mani- and pedi-parties.

— Fallon D., age 12, in Illinois

DEAR HELOISE: I live in a condo high up. I have a nice-size balcony, which I use mostly to grow flowers and veggies. I save all usable water and give it to my plants. — Joyce P., Colorado Springs, Colo.

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