Window covering cords pose danger to kids

Dear Heloise: Outdated corded window coverings in children's bedrooms and play areas can be a strangulation risk to infants and toddlers. Please remind your readers to check their window coverings for potential safety hazards.
Often, children's cribs are placed near a window, where the child can reach the looped pull cords. Also, the cords running through the slats of certain window blinds (inner lift cords) could be hazardous.
In recent years, the window-covering industry has redesigned all corded products and developed cord-safety standards. In addition, cordless miniblinds, pleated shades and vertical blinds are now widely available. If readers would take a few minutes to replace their window coverings that were made before 2001 with cordless products or update them, millions of homes would be safer for young children.
The Window Covering Safety Council will provide retrofit kits, including tassels, cord stops, tie-down devices and how-to instructions, free of charge to anyone who phones the organization at (800) 506-4636 or visits www.windowcoverings.org.
October is Window Covering Safety Month, so please urge your readers to make window cords a priority when childproofing their homes. Peter Rush, Window Covering Safety Council, New York
Readers, please take heed and check your window coverings now! This is especially important for grandparents who occasionally watch their grandchildren. Heloise
Dear Heloise: My water bottle kept falling all around in my car as I was driving. So, I placed an emptysmall, square tissue box in the passenger seat and pushed the bottled water jar into it. The bottle doesn't roll all around anymore, and the box helps the water stay cool. Another hint is to cut off the long end of bread wrappers as you use slices. Keeps that long, useless end from being a nuisance. Jeanne B. from Fredericksburg, Texas
Dear Heloise: We have four children. Last Christmas, I came upon a good sale on sets of 10 silver-colored picture frames of assorted sizes. With a scanner, I made duplicates of very old family photos, arranged them by generation and ended with our most recent photo of each family. I included names and a genealogy chart. It was a surprise extra gift that delighted everyone -- they spent hours telling their children about their heritage. Our children claim that it was the best Christmas gift they ever received from us, and I believe them, because it was our best Christmas, too. Frank, San Antonio
Dear Heloise: We keep a small check portfolio in the glove compartment of our car. In it we have maps of nearby malls, as well as coupons. When we go shopping, we no longer get to the sales register and realize we could have used a coupon. M. and C. Little, via e-mail
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