Avoid surprises by replacing hoses

Dear Heloise: My daughter and her husband were watching TV when they heard a loud noise in the basement. They investigated and found that a washing machine hose had ruptured, and water was gushing onto the basement floor. They were so lucky to have been home, because the water could have ruined everything in the basement.
The plumber told them that to be safe, these hoses should be replaced every five or six years. Arlene Buck, Findlay
Arlene, your plumber gave good advice! Several sources, including major manufacturers and the Texas Department of Insurance, recommend replacing rubber-type hoses anywhere from as often as two years to as long as five or six years. Why take a chance? Also, there are metal ones that last longer. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When we travel, we pack all our clothes (even coats) in jumbo, self-sealing bags and squeeze all the air out. They take up less room, we can pack more in a suitcase, and, if they search your bags, it is easier to get everything back in. Plus, you then have bags for dirty laundry on the return trip, and you can pack more in a smaller bag. Janice in Houston
Dear Heloise: I was going to clean the lower shelves of my bookcase when I had a great idea. I went out to the garden shed and got my garden stool on wheels. I just sat on it and rolled down the row. It sure saved my back.
I'm going to keep it in the house and use it when cleaning my lower cabinet cupboards. Lou Anne Stewart, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Dear Heloise: I've had a problem in the past with locking my keys in my car, with no way of getting in short of calling a locksmith.
I bought a key case, put a spare key inside, unscrewed my license plate and taped the key case to the back of the plate. Works like a charm -- any coin I might have will loosen the screws on my tag. K.C., Columbia, S.C.
Some plates are mounted with Phillips screws, in which case a coin would not loosen them! Heloise
King Features Syndicate