Cords from window coverings pose hazards
Dear Readers: Here is a tidbit of information you may not know: October is National Window Covering Safety Month, so please listen up.
The Window Covering Safety Council and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have joined together to alert parents, grandparents and caretakers of the hidden dangers hiding right in front of your eyes. What danger could that be? Window coverings, drapes, blinds and shades with cords. Please review the hints from the experts to keep your children (and pets) safe:
Keep all furniture away from windows. Kids may be tempted to climb.
Tasseled pull cords are pretty and enticing; put them out of reach.
Cordless window coverings exist. Use them if possible.
Do you use continuous-loop pull cords? Pull them tight and anchor.
Retrofit or replace cords to reduce the risk of strangulation.
For more information, and to order FREE retrofit kits, check out windowcoverings. org, or phone their automated order system toll-free at 800-506-4636.—Heloise
PET PAL Dear Readers: Regina in Sebree, Ky., sent a picture of her 7-year-old miniature schnauzer, Layla, who is standing in the SNOW! It looks so refreshing and beautiful! To see Layla and our other Pet Pals, visit Heloise. com and click on “Pet of the Week.”—Heloise
DOG-HAIR CLEANUP Dear Heloise: I have two sweet dogs who shed. The only carpeted room is the bedroom, but I have multiple rugs that they lie on. Hair is all over my rugs, and no matter how much I vacuum, it doesn’t make a dent!
Do you know how I can get the hair out without throwing away the rugs?—Audrey in Nebraska
Help is on the way. For the throw rugs, use a comb or
hairbrush (dog brush, too) to brush up the hair. It’s just like combing a dog. Also, try to prevent the horrifying heap of hair by brushing the dogs daily. Brush from head to tail, tail to head and back again. I use a microfiber cloth, dampened with water, and “wipe” down our two rapscallions to get more loose hair.
Do keep your vacuum in good working order. Clean it often, including filters, check the bag or, if it’s bagless, empty the collection chamber.—Heloise
PURSE SAFETY Dear Heloise: While putting my purse in the child seat of a shopping cart, I suddenly got the idea that I could hook the safety belt through the handles and make it difficult for a thief to grab it and run.—M. Busse, Mount Vernon, Va.
Sounds smart and safe, but it’s not. A stranger can dip into the purse and grab your wallet, or cut the strap and take the whole thing! Better to carry only your wallet, or the purse on your shoulder.—Heloise