Kitchen is dangerous place for curious toddlers

Dear Readers: A kitchen can be a dangerous place for small and not-so-small curious children. Kitchens can be full of potentially harmful products, but a little reorganizing will help protect your little ones and possibly prevent a serious accident or even a fatal poisoning.

Try the following hints:

UBaby-proof drawers and cabinets with special latches to keep curious fingers away from items that are breakable, toxic or a choking hazard.

UStore knives and other sharp items up and out of children’s reach at all times.

UTurn pot handles to the inside and away from the front of the stove when cooking.

UKeep household cleaners out of sight, and if you have to store them under the sink, be sure to keep a safety latch on the door.

UNever underestimate the reach of a curious baby or toddler!

UPut yourself on a child’s level — you might be shocked how appealing many dangerous items are! Heloise

Dear Heloise: I travel quite a bit and stay at hotels all over the country. I prefer my own brands of toiletries, so I always take my own. However, I take the hotel toiletries home, as the soap is perfect for little toddlers, and the shampoos, conditioners, etc., are great for young teenagers to take on sleepovers. Kathie, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I was having difficulty carrying loads of laundry from the house to the laundry area in the garage. One day the thought crossed my mind that I needed a “little red wagon.” This led to the idea of tying a pull made of nylon rope on a laundry basket to form a handle long enough to pull it by.

We can bring in groceries several heavy sacks at a time. My husband uses one to store newspapers in until he gets a load to take to the garage. Cynthia McGee, Euless, Texas

Dear Heloise: I bought a little square glass air fresheners, and when it dried up, I still had a really cute square piece of glass that was too nice to throw away.

I got to thinking what a nice picture frame it would make, so I cut out a wallet-size picture of my granddaughter to fit the inside square on the front, and it really looks like an expensive frame! Diana Hall, Bellville, Ohio

Dear Heloise: My dryer has the lint trap on top, and I clean the screen after each use. I took a plastic fly swatter and wrapped a soft cloth around it and pinned it in place. I place this down the empty slot and remove lots of lint that could have become a fire hazard. Ginger Smith, Dumas, Texas

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