Keep emergency phone numbers around the home

DEAR READERS: While we all have cellphones, they do lose their juice and might need to be charged at an inconvenient time or during an emergency. So, as a backup, to protect your family at home, make a master list of important cellphone numbers, such are police, fire, doctors, poison control, closest hospitals, the vet and family friends/neighbors, and post it on your fridge. You can also save the list on your computer.

DEAR READERS: If you have window air conditioners, they do get used a lot during the hot summer months. If you notice the air conditioner is not cooling well, there are several reasons this can happen. Here’s what to do:

Do you have a cat or dog? They shed quite a bit during the summer. That loose hair can block the filter or go through the mechanism, which can cause a blockage.

Examine the filter, then vacuum it, the case and the area around it. If you have a filter that can be removed, rinse it in hot water frequently. Allow it to dry, then put back in. Cooling should be better.

DEAR READERS: When you are painting a room and you suddenly notice that the paint is beginning to wrinkle, here’s what you can do to correct or stop it. Take these steps:

First, check the area to see if you have been applying too much paint or if the paint is too thick. To correct, you can thin the paint, which will create a lighter application. You can also sand the surface and reapply a lighter coat.

DEAR READERS: Kids love their rubber toys and playing with them. But they do get dirty and need to be cleaned. Try this nontoxic way to get the job done:

When you realize the rubber toys are grimy or slimy, put them in a gallon-size bucket or container. Fill it with water and at least 2 cups of vinegar.

Let the toys soak 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe off with a clean sponge, rinse in clean water and allow to air dry.

DEAR READERS: This yummy dessert is an American treat, for sure. Many of us have a version that a grandmother made her own by making a variety of additions.

Then this family treasure is handed down over the years. The basic name came from the original ingredients.

Pound cake was made with 1 pound of butter, 1 pound of sugar, 1 pound of flour and

1 pound of eggs. Today, with lower-fat products, we are able to eat pound cake without gaining a pound — we hope!