Being prepared for emergencies helps prevent panic

Dear Heloise: I live in an area where we have tornadoes and have to take cover in a hurry. I bought a legal-size plastic accordion folder and put all our documents that would be hard to replace in it — marriage license, birth certificates, passports, house deed, insurance policies, contact info and car titles.

When I have to take cover, I grab the folder and my purse and go. When I know in advance that we’ll probably have to take cover, I grab the folder and my purse and put them in our take-cover spot ahead of time. Now I have one less thing to worry about in a stressful situation. It’s probably not an original idea, but it bears reminding. Elaine Krebs, Kearney, Neb.

It’s a worthwhile idea for everyone, and a reminder for those who live in areas where natural disasters are common. Heloise

Dear Heloise: As an environmentalist and a lifelong avid gardener, I feel that recycling is vital and that composting fallen leaves, lawn clippings and garden and kitchen waste helps both the environment and my plants.

To avoid fermentation smells and insects, my compost heap is in the back of the back yard. I don’t want to walk back there every time I have a banana peel or a tea bag. If I keep them in a container under the sink, they draw, nourish and even breed insects. My solution: a container in my freezer. I use a sealable one, like a coffee can, so that odors don’t affect the flavor of the other food. When it’s full, I take it out to the compost pile once or twice a week. Patrick Buck, Lexington, Ky.

Dear Heloise: I sure can relate to the reader who wrote about identifying old photos.

I have more than 11,500 photos in our family albums dating back to 1950, and each photo has a number. I have an index page at the front of each album identifying who, when and where. Anyone can go through our albums without asking a question. I consider it a legacy for our family for the future.

And with regard to genealogy, ask all you can, of whom you can, while you can. B.J. Hughes, Lady Lake, Fla.

Dear Heloise: My hint is for using the pretty bags we receive when we purchase items at gift counters or stores. I slit the bags to wrap smaller gift boxes. Some of the bags are beautiful and nice quality.

Also, I slit grocery bags — the heavy brown ones — and use them to wrap packages I mail. Donna Bumann in Storm Lake, Iowa

Dear Heloise: I love oatmeal, but sometimes we are tired of the plain flavor. I make oatmeal with different fruit juices (cranberry, apple, even lemonade). I drop a few currants or raisins in it. It is yummy (at least for me). Beatrix V., Newbury Park, Calif.

X 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