Winter weather demands pet preparations

Dear Readers: The colder months are just gearing up; it’s the perfect time for a discussion on pet safety in winter:

■ Make sure microchips and tags are up to date.

■ Put together an emergency stash of dog food, medications and water in case you have to travel, have to leave your home in a hurry or the power goes out.

■ Reflective leashes and vests are a good safety in“vest”ment for walks on short winter days and long nights.

■ Your pets probably will fight this hint, but booties will protect their paw pads from salt and ice. If they won’t keep the booties on, wipe their feet upon coming inside.

■ The formula has now changed, but if you have old antifreeze, dispose of it properly. Antifreeze used to taste sweet, but of course it’s toxic.

Winter is coming, so be prepared.

We seniors can have hearing loss; it’s fairly common. Here are some symptoms to watch for:

If you have trouble following a conversation, if high voices are hard to hear, if you have a ringing in your ear, if you answer questions wrong or if the neighbors complain that your TV is too loud, you should have your hearing checked.

Lots of these symptoms can be treated if caught early. Ask your doctor.

With pets, we love lint rollers. Lint rollers clean couches, the car interior, ourselves and the dog. When my in-laws visit, we issue them a lint roller in their guest room. There are different varieties: masking tape, hook-and-loop, washable and other types.

As a professional financial planner, I’ve noticed so many people who are either retired or about to retire say they have a financial plan, but not in writing. When you put your financial goals, plans and budget in writing, you are more likely to accomplish those plans. Make sure you plan for emergencies, too, for those are the things that often interfere with your plans.

Oregon

Dear Heloise: I’ve been a chimney sweep for more than 25 years, and if someone has a fireplace he or she likes to light in cold weather, I’d recommend getting a chimney sweep in to make sure everything is in working order and that we can make any needed repairs in time to start using it. Creosote, the residue of a fire, clings to the interior of a chimney, and it’s combustible if allowed to build up. This, in turn, can cause cracks in “fireproof” bricks and possibly a house fire.

Never hire a chimney sweep who just shows up on your doorstep. Ask neighbors for recommendations. Heloise answers letters only in her King Features Syndicate column. Write her at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 782795000 or send a fax to 1-210-HELOISE.