Crime can happen to anyone, so be alert

Dear Heloise: I’m a retired deputy sheriff, and my husband’s pocket was picked while we were in Florence, Italy. The authorities were pleased that we had photocopies of our documents and were very kind to us after they got over laughing about the retired cop/victim. I’d like to share some hints from me, my husband, the Carabinieri and every other law-enforcement agency in the world.

Check out travel-oriented catalogs. There are security wallets available in several different styles, such as inside the waistband of pants, around the neck, on your ankle or a lightweight waist pack. Buy a couple of different types. A tour guide I know wears one at her waist when she is wearing a sundress and one around her neck for ease of access when her clothing permits.

Carry only one credit card and one piece of identification in outer clothing or a handbag. Put everything else in a secure location or in one of the security wallets.

If someone really wants your stuff, give it to the person. The pickpockets of the world are very proficient and will probably get your stuff before you even notice. The purse snatchers here in California will come by on a motorcycle, hook your purse/backpack and drag you along with it if you don’t give it up. Your stuff is not worth severe injuries. June L., Ventura, Calif.

June, crime can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Thanks for your expert advice from your unfortunate personal experience. Folks, stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially when on vacation, when sometimes we tend to leave our “common sense” at home. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I wanted to share something I learned from my brother, who spent time in the U.S. Air Force. The best way to clean window glass on cars is to use a glass-cleaning liquid with newspaper. It will not leave any streaks or smudges. To keep your hands clean, however, gloves must be worn. Daily Houston Reader, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: My girlfriend and I disagree on what to use to clean and shine houseplant leaves. Her mother used milk, and mine used cooking oil. What’s the story? A Reader, Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Well, half right and half not. These old hints have been around a long time. The update is that shiny leaves just need plain old tap water to clean and dust them. To shine them, use a little vegetable oil (not baby oil, which is only mineral oil with fragrance). Remember that plants breathe through the leaves, so put oil or a commercial plant shine only on the top. Heloise

Dear Readers: Be sure to date seldom-used spices or canned goods before you put them on your shelves. Stay organized by moving the oldest products to the front, so you’ll be sure to use them before the expiration date. Remember the old accounting saying: FIFO (first in, first out). Heloise

SBlt 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