Tips can help keep picnicking safe

Dear Heloise: For fun family and friends excursions, we like to go picnicking. Here are some hints we use for food safety and to stay organized:

■ More than one cooler or basket is an absolute must: a cooler for the cold food and drinks, a basket for chips and snack foods, and a basket or tote for accessories (knives and forks, napkins, plates, blankets, games, etc.).

■ Don’t expect the cooler to cool foods further; refrigerate them the night before and layer items between frozen ice packs and ice cubes in the cooler. Pack the cooler full to help keep it colder.

■ Don’t sear or preheat meats at home. Bacteria can grow rapidly on food that is not cooked thoroughly.

■ Grab those extra condiment packs from a quick-serve restaurant.

■ Eat hot foods, including vegetables, within two hours of preparation.

■ Don’t forget to have fun! Leave the electronics turned off, and grab a football, deck of cards or board games. Time to make some memories! in Alabama

Dear Heloise: When I was adopting my dog at the shelter, my adoption counselor reminded me that I am saving lives: I’m taking home my new family member, and I’m making space in the shelter so they can save another animal.

My mantra is: #AdoptDontShop!

Antonio

Dear Heloise: There’s no need to slice yourself instead of your bagel. Lay the bagel flat, cut first downward so that you have two semi-circles. Then stand each half-bagel on its flat cut and slice downward again.

Four perfect quarterbagels that still fit in the toaster just fine. If you then insist on having circles again, just spackle the pieces together with a little extra cream cheese!

Falls Church, Va.

Dear Heloise: I have a question about tipping at a hotel: Does the maid who cleaned the room yesterday get the tip I leave, or the maid coming in today?

South Dakota

Dear Loma: I checked with a couple of major hotels, and here were their suggestions for how to handle tipping:

■ Tip every day, but do not tip if the service was poor.

■ The going rate is about make it $1 to $2 a day; $3 to $4 for better hotels.

■ Place the cash in an envelope (no change) and label it for maid service or housekeeping.

■ You also can just wrap it in a sheet of paper, but be sure to label it.

■ Leave it in an obvious place.— Heloise