Be careful when walking alone at night

Dear Heloise: In one of your columns, you discussed safety while out alone. Another suggestion is to pretend to be talking on a cell phone while walking alone.
So many people carry mobile phones now that it is quite common to be chatting (or pretending to chat) most anywhere. A Reader, via e-mail
Why not call a friend or relative on your cell phone while you are walking alone? Or if you are concerned about walking alone at night, get your exercise by walking in a large grocery store, and you could pick up an item or two while there and save yourself an errand later on.
Walking alone at night is probably not a good idea. If you choose to, please be sure to wear something reflective, carry a cell phone, be aware of your surroundings and let someone know your route and approximately how long you expect to be gone. If you feel unsafe, go home or call for help immediately. Heloise
Dear Heloise: As we get older, we forget things. So, have a large calendar on which you mark important dates that you need to remember. You can even use colored sticky notes.
Also keep a listing of important dates in your address book on some blank pages. In mine, I post birth dates and anniversaries, dates of new car battery or tire purchases, appliance purchases, etc. I even record the death date of any of my friends' spouses. That way, I can always call or write them on that date to let them know that they are not alone. T.F. from Virginia
Dear Heloise: My mobile home has many windows, and I have miniblinds on all of them. Twice a year, I clean them by using the pop-up premoistened baby washcloths. I have cut my cleaning time in half. Sherrie in Washington
Yup, this is a good "quick-clean" hint, but keep in mind that if the cloths/wipes have oil or other additives, they might leave a residue that causes dirt and dust to stick more. You might want to try some wipes that have alcohol only. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Most people dislike those perfumed inserts in magazines. My daughter and I search through magazines to find them! We open them up and place them in our clothes drawers.
The men's cologne inserts are placed in my husband's shirt drawer. I especially like them with my nightgowns. Mary in Indiana
Dear Heloise: I am a collector of Western hats. I have found an inexpensive way to change hat bands on my hats to suit my shirts, boots, etc.
Local thrift stores and/or garage sales always have belts of various colors and sizes. I just cut them to the crown size. Presto! A new look! Sal from California
Send 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