Thanks to those who fight fires

Heloise

Dear Readers: Today’s SOUND ON concerns firefighters. — Heloise

“Dear Heloise: We recently had a fire in our kitchen that quickly spread to the dining room. We called the fire department, and the team was there in only a matter of minutes. They put out the blaze and checked to make certain everyone was accounted for and unharmed. That included our pets.

“I can’t say enough to thank the firefighters for their rapid response. They probably saved my husband’s life because he was asleep upstairs when the fire broke out. To firefighters everywhere, thank you from the bottom of my heart.” — Linda in Ohio

Fast facts Dear Readers:

Here are some uses for cardboard paper towel cores:

■ Wrap loose pieces of ribbon around one.

■ Store plastic grocery bags in them.

■ Store Christmas lights (wrap them around a tube).

■ Store extension cords inside them.

— Heloise

Strawberries vs. weeds Dear Heloise:

Did you know that strawberries tend to choke out weeds?

They spread by runners and look good planted under blueberry and rose bushes. — Mattie R., Tupelo, Miss.

Easier school mornings Dear Heloise:

Mornings around my house are so hectic! Half the time my children leave the house but forget something they need. With a new school year about to start, how do I remedy this situation? — Pat S., Albion, N.Y.

Pat, give each child a box to put things inside. Every evening before bed, have them place everything they’ll need for school in that box.

Next morning, it’s simple to grab what they need before they go to school. — Heloise