HELOISE Replace moisture in the air to cure case of static

Dear Heloise: Help! I have a bad case of static and no static spray -- what can I do? Cheryl Holland, via e-mail
Getting shocked by static electricity can leave one a little frazzled and leery of touching things.
Static electricity is usually more prevalent during the winter months, because heaters and fireplaces take moisture out of the air. So, all you need to do is replace the moisture, and here are several easy ways to do just that:
UPlace cups or bowls of water in each room. A vase of fresh flowers will help -- but check the water often, as the water will disappear quicker with fresh flowers.
USimmer a pan of water on the stovetop to help replace some of the moisture. Just be sure that it doesn't boil dry.
UIf you own a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier, use it! Either of these are great moisture-makers.
UAn indoor table or countertop fountain is another good source of moisture, and the soothing sound of flowing water is an added bonus. Heloise
Dear Heloise: In winter, we keep our house pretty cool, so when it is bedtime, the sheets are ice-cold! I warm them up by using my hair dryer set on hot for a few minutes. Then I crawl into a cozy, warm bed! Kay Robinson, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: We still like the old-fashioned popcorn better than microwave popcorn. I buy popcorn in 2-pound bags and then store it in a coffee can. The popcorn stays fresh and is easy to get to and use without it spilling and rolling around on the counter. Rita Patterson, Newark
Dear Heloise: Copy all of your favorite recipes and enclose them with wedding congratulations cards, or buy an inexpensive blank book with a pretty cover and glue recipes in it. You can put this book into a basket with the nonperishable ingredients for a few of the recipes. Put a bow on it and give as a shower gift.
You can also select a basket size suitable for serving bread or rolls and line it with a pretty napkin to do double duty. N.D., Florida
Dear Heloise: There are thousands of factory workers in this country who are required to wear steel-toed shoes or boots, including myself. Invariably, when the fabric that covers the steel on the inside of the shoe or boot wears away, the steel rubs on the sock at the big toe, producing a hole. To eliminate this problem, I purchased a pair of callus pads (solid foam in the shape of a teardrop), peeled off the backing, carefully slid each one to the front of the shoe (wide end to the front) and pressed in place. Voil & aacute;! Problem solved. This has worked for me and is less expensive than replacing socks. Howard M., via e-mail
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.
King Features Syndicate