HELOISE Ceiling fans becomes loose with use

Dear Heloise: My daughter and son-in-law had an experience last week I thought I would share with you. The two of them were getting dressed for work, and my 5-month-old granddaughter was lying on their bed, with her father standing right beside her. He heard an odd noise above ... and cannot answer why, but quickly moved to shield her -- he literally fell across her and covered her. At that exact moment, the ceiling fan fell. He and the baby are thankfully all right.
I have spoken to several contractors since this happened, and many have told me that they recommend fans be checked just like we do our smoke alarms. Even if the fans are properly installed, with constant use they can become loose.
I admit that I have never periodically checked my ceiling fans to assure that all the screws are tight -- but I do now. H.H., Edisto Island, S.C.
I'm so glad everyone is OK! You don't hear of this happening very often, but why not be on the safe side and check those fans, especially if they become wobbly? Heloise
Dear Heloise: The "blinders," aka sleep masks, given out on international overnight flights are great for holding back one's hair while makeup is being applied. Just wear the blinder like a headband. Jewel King, Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas
Dear Heloise: I discovered that using a wide wallpaper brush helps immensely to dust and clean louvered doors and Venetian-type blinds. Its wide sweep helps to cover quite a span, while its stiffness helps to budge the stubborn dust. This is lots faster than working with a smaller paintbrush or gloved fingers. Yvonne, Penn Yan, N.Y.
Dear Heloise: My husband had major surgery and is slow in moving, so he asked me to get him a potty chair for emergencies. Instead, I went to a sporting-goods store and found a camping toilet.
It has an upper chamber for almost 3 gallons of water, which I filled and added deodorizing powder to -- also found at the sporting-goods store. When the person needs to go, all it takes is sliding the valve to the open position and then a flush of the accordion-like pump. Fresh, deodorized water is swirled around the bowl, and all the contents are deposited into the lower chamber. There is absolutely no odor, and it can be used multiple times before the lower chamber needs to be emptied. Denise S., Via E-mail
We called around and found two different brands for under $60. This is a good suggestion for those who are caring for someone long-term. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Someone wrote in asking how to clean white resin chairs that had turned gray. I battled this problem, too -- until I took my pressure washer to the furniture. The dirt and grime came right off, and my chairs look brand-new. S. Wyatt, Louisville, Ky.
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate