Helpful Hints

DEAR READERS: Proper hand-washing can help prevent the spread of diseases, and it's simply a good habit for you and your family to get into.

Did you know that there's a correct way to wash your hands? The formula is courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov), and here are the steps:

  1. Wet hands with running water, turn off the water and lather with soap.

  2. Rub soapy hands together, rub the backs of your hands, in between your fingers and under your fingernails. You should do this for at least 20 seconds.

  3. Rinse well, under running water.

  4. Dry with a clean towel.

Remind kids and grandkids when to wash their hands: During all phases of food preparation, after using the bathroom, after blowing your nose, and before and after applying a bandage to a cut or wound.

If soap and running water aren't available, hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60 percent will do until you can get home.

DEAR HELOISE: I have two grandsons, ages 4 and 6. They are too old for toddler-type sippy cups, but I like the idea of a lid on their drinks.

I buy the disposable, to-go style of coffee cups with lids for them to use with a straw. When they go home, they can take it with them. No extra dishes for Grandma!

-- Cheryl M., Kerrville, Texas

DEAR HELOISE: If I hadn't been at home yesterday at the right time, I could have had a fire. I was relaxing in my chair in the warmth of the sun when I saw thin, black smoke rising from where I had lain my glasses! I believe papers would have caught on fire in due time from the rays of the sun hitting the glasses.

Please warn your readers what could happen.

-- Merlin F., Dakota City, Iowa

DEAR HELOISE: I'm a teacher; a child once asked me if he could go to the restroom. I said, "Yes, quickly." He ran off down the hall. I said, "Don't run!" His retort? "You said 'quickly'!"

-- A Teacher in Texas

DEAR HELOISE: I buy the six-packs of applesauce, and when I'm through with the individual containers, I wash and save them.

They come in handy when I'm serving salsa, fondue, dips for chips, etc. This way, each person has his or her own personal dip dish, rather than everyone dipping into the same bowl.

-- Barbara W., Vancouver, Wash.

DEAR HELOISE: An easy way to test for drafts around the window? A lighted candle! I move it slowly around the window looking for "flickers."

Big flickers mean that caulk or weatherstripping is in order. Of course, I have to mind the curtains and drapery.

-- Wendy W. in Pennsylvania

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 on 03/08/2018

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