Homeowner's hint manages appliance paperwork

Dear Heloise: My wife and I just built a wonderful new home. During construction, I gathered all the paperwork from everything I could: appliances, heaters, faucets -- all of it. Also, while researching appliance selections, I found that most manufacturers have manuals and more info on the Web. Altogether, it was a huge amount of paperwork.
To store everything, I put all the paperwork for each appliance into a large envelope and glued it to the back of the appliance. I downloaded the electronic version from the manufacturer's site, and I burned a CD with all the manuals on it.
I have easy access to the manuals on my computer, and my backup copy is where the serviceman and I can find it -- on the actual appliance. With the computer, I can search the manuals easier than using the index. I'm not worried about the manufacturer deleting the manual from the Web -- I've already stored the correct version. Ken Mays, Lewisville, Texas
Ken, way to go on taking the next step with organizing all those important owner's manuals. Putting everything on a CD is smart and definitely a space-saver! Heloise
Dear Heloise: I move a lot with my work. Whenever I move to a new city, I buy some 3-by-5 spiral-bound file cards. Using the first card as an index, I number the others. Then I put simple directions down for all of the common places I go. It comes in handy for those seldom-visited places like the Department of Motor Vehicles. Usually I include how long it takes to get there, the phone number and the address as well. I keep this in the car.
I use the cards until I learn my way around. This helps me when I revisit a place later as well. Peg B., via e-mail
Dear Heloise: I think it's worthwhile to keep a small carrying bag near my bed at night with my car and door keys, cell phone and flashlight. It's so handy in case of a power outage, an emergency or a fire. A lady recently burned to death in her home because she couldn't find her door keys to unlock the door to get out. Alice Griffin, Statesville, N.C.
Alice, you're right -- having the basics ready and in reach will help you get out of harm's way more quickly in the event of an emergency! Heloise
Dear Heloise: Whenever we move a large, heavy piece of furniture, we always plug an extension cord into any wall socket that will now be behind the furniture.
This way, we always have access to an outlet that otherwise would have been closed off. The cord can easily be hidden when not in use. Grayce Upshaw, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate