HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR READERS: Thinking of shooting off fireworks to ring in the new year? Think again. There are different types of fireworks, and all of them can be dangerous. Let’s take a look:
Bottle rockets are designed to fly through the air. But what’s the target? If you miss, you could hit somebody’s eye, hair or body.
Roman candles are explosives designed to be hand-held. What could possibly go wrong?
M-class fireworks (M-80s)? Illegal, and much too powerful.
Firecrackers are designed to be lit on the ground and explode in sequence. Fire chances are high, especially in the grass.
Even something as seemingly innocuous as a sparkler, which kids love, can burn at around 2,000 degrees. Clothes can catch fire; sparklers can get dropped on feet.
Best bet? Leave the colorful fireworks to the professionals. Check out the National Safety Council (nsc.org) for more information.
P.S. Many breeds of dogs are terrified of them.
DEAR READERS: Three quickies to help lower your heating bill this winter:
Check to see if windows are sealed properly.
Add insulation to your garage.
Look into a smart thermostat — it knows where you are in your home.
You may qualify for a rebate from your energy company if you have the smart thermostat; call and ask.
DEAR HELOISE: My husband maintains our cars. When he changes the oil, he resets the A trip odometer. When he rotates the tires, he resets the B trip odometer. I can check how long it has been to keep up with these maintenance items.
Also, in the kitchen, I refill everything refillable at once. If the pepper grinder is empty, I also refill the saltshaker, the dish soap and paper napkins, and the sugar bowl.
— Carol in New York
DEAR HELOISE: With the cold weather coming on, here’s a hint:
If my legs get cold at work, my employer doesn’t allow me to have a heater under my desk. I wear leggings under my pants legs. I have different colors to match, but mostly have black ones. People can’t tell I have them on, and I stay warmer. If I get too hot, I take the leg warmers off.
— Patsy E., Virginia