HELPFUL HINTS

LITTLE ROCK — DEAR READERS: Here are some candle safety hints from the National Candle Association.

Place candles on heat-resistant candleholders that are large enough to catch wax. Make sure the candleholders are placed on a sturdy surface in a well-ventilated area, but not in the path of drafts, etc.

Trim down the wick before burning. It should be 1/4-inch long. Long wicks can cause uneven burning. Do not burn a candle all the way down.

Discard when there is 2 inches of wax left.

Never leave a burning candle unattended. Be sure the candle is completely extinguished before leaving the room or house.

DEAR HELOISE: When I travel, I program the hotel’s phone number into my cell phone. Then it is easily accessible if I need to call the hotel to get directions. It also has come in handy when my luggage was misplaced and I needed to give the airport my hotel information. I simply called the front desk, and the hotel provided the airport with the information needed.

• A Reader in Washington

DEAR HELOISE: You had a recipe for making cookies from a boxed cake mix. My friend has lost his copy. He is diabetic and wanted to know if this recipe would work with the sugar-free cake mixes.

• Connie, via fax

DEAR READER: This recipe should work with the sugar-free mixes, too. Use your favorite flavor cake mix and add 1/4 cup of chopped nuts, raisins or chocolate chips. Here are the basic ingredients: 1 (18.25 ounces) box cake mix 2 eggs1/2 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix only the above ingredients in a mixing bowl. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto a baking sheet (ungreased) about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. They brown quickly, so watch them carefully. Ovens vary, so place the baking sheet on the middle rack and stand by for the first batch.

DEAR HELOISE: I recently purchased a printer. It included a CD of software that needed to be installed on my computer. Afterward, I taped the CD to the back of the printer. I always know where it is if I need it again. This hint can be used with other devices, too, like copiers, computers and fax machines.

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

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