DEAR READER: The column on the importance of every household having carbon-monoxide detectors prompted the following questions:
“Why do I need a carbon-monoxide detector? I have no gas appliances, no fireplace, no charcoal grill and no attached garage. … I don’t understand why I would need one.”
- Patricia J. in Virginia
“My home is all electric, and I think there should be no problem.”
- Linda T. in California
“Can you tell us where all this carbon monoxide would be coming/leaking from?”
- A Reader, via email
As the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that “every home should have a carbon monoxide alarm.” Why? Although electric appliances do not give off carbon monoxide, a car left running in the garage or a fire in the chimney can give off the deadly gas. Carbon monoxide can come from many sources, not just the obvious fuel-burning appliances. A detector does not cost much, so why take the chance? Better safe than sorry.
DEAR HELOISE: An easy way to get loose birdseed into the feeders is to cut a half-gallon plastic milk container into two pieces, with the larger portion being the bottom two-thirds of the container. The top part serves as a funnel, and the lower portion is a good container for scooping up the seed.
- Nick P., Iuka, Miss.
DEAR HELOISE: My grandchildren keep many toys and stuffed animals at my house for when they visit. I would like to clean the stuffed animals before their next visit. Do you have a hint on how to get them clean?
- Janet S. in Indiana
DEAR READER: Sprinkle a stuffed animal with baking soda and rub it in using your hand or a soft brush. After letting it sit for a while, give the stuffed animal a good shaking to remove all the baking soda, and it is now ready to play another day. Clean plastic toys with a paste of baking soda and hot water. Just a light scrub and rinse should keep all toys ready to play.
DEAR HELOISE: I recycle paper fliers, handouts, etc., by using them in my copier so that the printing is on the blank side. This is a wonderful way to recycle and save.
- Diane S. in Houston
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 [email protected]
Weekend, Pages 34 on 04/17/2014