Ask police to patrol house while you’re away

Dear Heloise: The hints you suggested for those planning a trip were very good and helpful. I have an added suggestion: Contact your police department and make arrangements for a patrol car to drive by your home periodically while you are away. Jean Hewlitt, Manasquan, N.J.

This is a very good thing to do. If you have a neighborhood watch association, it also is a good idea to let it know that you will be gone. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Before we go on vacation, my husband always calls our credit-card company to let it know where we will be. This prevents our card from being challenged by a company while we are in the new location. It also puts a flag on our account if it is used in our home location while we are away. R. Meggs, via e-mail

It’s also a good idea to take a list of credit cards, their numbers and a contact phone number with you on vacation. In case of loss or theft, you will have the information you need. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Here’s another hint for the office: When you remove staples from documents, be sure to locate the old staples and throw them away! That way, they don’t cause problems for barefoot co-workers or the cleaning crew’s vacuum. Robert J., Manchester, Texas

Dear Heloise: I received a bumper sticker from my brother, who is in the Army. Although I wanted to show my support for his endeavor, I hate having a permanent sticker on my car that will eventually be damaged by the sun and weather. I used some magnetic sheets (which can be purchased at hobby or office-supply stores), removed the bumper sticker from its backing and stuck it to the sticky side of the magnetic sheet. Shannon, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I have found an easy way to put on a bracelet. Placing a terry-cloth washcloth or a rubber jar opener on a flat surface helps to hold your bracelet in place while you wrap it around your wrist. No more slipping and trying to catch the ends together. Nancy Harris, Statesville, N.C.

Dear Heloise: I have arthritis in my hands and discovered several years ago how to open bottles that had the push-down-and-turn caps. I now press the cap down with one hand and turn the bottle with the other hand. I make sure the bottle is on a safe and secure surface, especially if I am opening a bottle of bleach or other caustic liquid. Teddy Deabler, Royal Palm

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