Think safety for pets as Halloween approaches

Heloise

Dear Readers: Halloween is Thursday. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, these are the top safety hints for your pets:

• Candy is an absolute “no” for your pets; some treats are toxic!

• Does your jack-o’-lantern have a real candle in it? Keep it away from your pet — a fire hazard!

• Decorative corn is a temptation. It’s not poisonous, but it can upset a stomach.

• Putting a costume on your pet is cute, but make sure the animal can move freely and see clearly. If your pet is in distress, take the costume off.

• Strangers arriving at your home can cause anxiety. Make sure all animals have a collar with ID and a microchip in case they dart out of an open door.

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: When my first cousin asked me to be her bridesmaid, I was flattered — until I saw the price tag on the dresses she had selected, and that didn’t include the shoes, handbags, etc. Please advise brides to:

1. Consider affordability when selecting dresses for bridesmaids.

2. Please keep in mind that besides the dress, there are other expenses.

3. No, we will not wear this style or color again, no matter what the salesgirl says. — Tanya in Oklahoma

Dear Heloise: Just a word of caution: The weather is getting cooler, and many people will be turning on their heat. Before they do, there are two things they should do. The first is to call in someone to inspect their furnace, and the second is to buy a carbon-monoxide detector. Lives have been saved by these two simple steps. — Mark D., San Angelo, Texas

Dear Heloise: What is the best way to dispose of empty medication bottles? — Bea H., Tacoma, Wash.

Bea: Before you toss those bottles in the recycling bin, be sure to either remove the label and tear it up, or take a wide-tipped felt pen and black out all the information on the label. Some pharmacies might accept old medication bottles and dispose of them for you.

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: I was having trouble cleaning the tiny holes in my hummingbird feeder. I thought of the brush I use to clean under my dental bridges; it was just right!

You can find the brushes in the toothpaste aisle near the dental floss.

— Roseann in Vienna, Ohio

Dear Heloise: I love garlic in the recipes I prepare, but not an overpowering garlic flavor. I pierce the clove of garlic to release some of its flavor and drop it into the sauce or food. Before serving, I just pick out the clove. — Anna E. in St. Louis

Dear Heloise: I was working on an art project and wondered, “Why doesn’t my glue stick to the inside of the bottle?” Silly question, maybe, but I got on the company’s website, and in its frequently asked questions (FAQ) section, I learned that the glue has to react with air in order for the water to evaporate and the glue to harden and stick!

— Emma J., age 12, in Dallas

Emma: Here’s a Heloise high-five! Great use of company materials. Never, ever stop wondering.