HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: My wife and I live in a very safe community where home invasions and porch pirates don’t seem to be a problem. So, you can probably imagine my shock

to find out that four of my neighbors were robbed a short while ago in this way.

I called a home security company to install monitoring equipment, and they gave me a list of things to do to keep my home safe from thieves. I thought I’d pass it along to you in the hopes that it might help your readers stay safe during this holiday season:

1. Install window locks if you don’t already have locks on your windows.

2. For sliding doors, grab a wooden or metal rod and place it in the track of the door to stop a potential forced entry.

3. Do not let shrubbery grow over your windows. Keep them trimmed back so that no one can hide in them.

4. Never open doors to strangers. Look through the peephole before opening doors to anyone.

5. Never broadcast your vacation plans on social media. Wait until you get back from your trip; then you can post photos and talk about what a great time you had.

6. Video doorbells are an excellent way to monitor who’s on your doorstep.

7. Motion-detecting outdoor lights will usually deter a thief, especially if you have an outdoor camera that records footage of the intruders. Use high-resolution cameras that also have night vision.

8. If you have a house key hidden outside of your home, try putting it in a plastic bag and burrowing it in a potted plant, a window box or in some other unusual spot. Don’t tell anyone where it is.

— John and Connie H.,

in Massachusetts DEAR HELOISE: Instead of buying a bunch of wrapping paper and ribbons for this forthcoming Christmas/ Hanukkah, I bought a big roll of brown craft paper. I had my four kids roll it out and draw pictures of things that remind them of Christmas (my side of the family) and Hanukkah (my husband’s side). I told them we would use their artwork as wrapping paper.

I not only saved a bundle of money, but it gave them the opportunity to express what they felt that the holidays were all about. It wasn’t just about gift-giving. My twins are only 8 years old, but they asked if we could do this every year.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email

Heloise@Heloise.com