HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: You may have some downtime right now — use it to get organized for the new year. Here are some hints:

Clean out a couple of drawers in the kitchen or bedroom. Donate unused things, and throw out anything broken or worn.

Check the fluid levels and maintenance schedule for your car.

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and alarms.

Replace any burnt-out light bulbs.

DEAR READERS: Fireworks safety and pets — it’s that time of year. Fireworks noises can be terrifying for dogs and cats. Our furry felines typically will go off and find a safe place to hide.

Dogs are different. Taking the dog for a long walk before a fireworks show is a good idea. Feed Fido, and hopefully he will drift off to sleep.

If he’s awake, create a haven for him — close all blinds, and turn on the TV or music to help muffle outside sounds.

If your dog is prone to anxiety, let your veterinarian know. There are meds that can be prescribed.

DEAR HELOISE: I have a simple hint for the reader who sent reasons to wear shoes in the house: To keep bacteria, chemicals and dirt out of the carpet and flooring, you need a pair of shoes you wear only inside.

My feet get cold, too. I wear orthotic inserts, and my feet just feel better in indoor athletic shoes.

— Mindy in Omaha, Neb.

DEAR HELOISE: Regarding cleaning the dog’s dish with vinegar: The bowls do get yucky after a spell. Vinegar works well, but how about the liquid in a jar of pickles? I recycle it (more than once), and it is already paid for.

— A Reader in Trenton, N.J.

DEAR READER: Well, pickle juice does have vinegar in it. However, vinegar is pretty darn cheap and has a multitude of uses around the house.

DEAR HELOISE: It’s difficult for my visually impaired wife to locate and put back the bar of soap on our bathroom sink. I put soft soap into a heavy shaving mug, making it easier for her to just dip her fingers in when she wants to wash. Any mug will do, but the extra weight helps to keep it in place.

— John E., Hollsopple, Pa.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email