HELOISE Plan will care for kids in emergency

Dear Heloise: I am the mother of small children and often suffer from the "what ifs." I want to be prepared for any emergency, and I want to keep my children as safe as possible.
My hint for all parents is this: I have medical consent forms signed by a designated family member, emergency contact information and medical information attached to both my kids' car seats so that if I am incapacitated in an accident, they can be taken care of safely by medical providers. Plus, my husband or mother can be called immediately to be with them.
Hopefully, these will never be needed, but I'd rather be prepared! Mary Swanson, Grand Rapids, Mich.
It is a good idea to have everything written and on hand in case of an accident, especially with children. Your idea will give parents a sense of security knowing the children will be taken care of immediately. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I've been using a great technique to extend the life of my portable hair dryer.
When hair dryers overheat, they turn off as a safety feature. Some people think that when this happens, their hair dryer is "dead," and they purchase another one. Instead, I keep an eye on the air vents in my dryer, and when they start to fill with hair, lint, dust, etc., I use an eyebrow brush to clear the accumulation that blocks the air flow (Be sure the dryer is unplugged -- Heloise). Dryers can last several years with a little maintenance. Kathy Walton, Rosharon, Texas
Dear Heloise: I took a broom with a plastic hanging hook on the end and snipped the end of the hook to form a "U" shape.
I use this to put up or take down bird feeders, hanging plants (before watering, when they are not so heavy) and wind chimes. I have found many uses -- it extends my reach and costs nothing. Jo Ann Denny, Jackson, Calif.
Dear Heloise: When my husband had an operation on his elbow and couldn't use his hand or arm in the shower, I took a new bar of soap and made a hole in the middle. Then I put a strong piece of string through it so he could put it around his neck.
This way, he wasn't always dropping it because he could only use one hand. A Reader, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: I have many pairs of clip earrings and very often lose one. I save the remaining earrings in a plastic baggie, as the mates often do reappear.
If they don't, I find that the colorful single earrings make attractive ornaments on a miniature Christmas tree, and they clip onto the branches very easily. Anne Mayer, Northfield, Minn.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate