OTC medicine challenges reader with opening it

Dear Heloise: I take over-the-counter sinus medicine that comes in a package that you have to peel the back and push the tablets through. This is difficult for me, so instead of doing this each time I need to take a pill, I take each pack and cut along the top. I make sure I don’t cut into the pills. I then take and peel off the back and put the pills into an old prescription bottle that is labeled, so I don’t mix them up with other pills. This saves so much frustration. Pat Zoccali, Warren, Ohio

Dear Heloise: Greetings from a neighbor in the hill country. Thank you for carrying on the Heloise tradition! We found a great reuse for a disinfecting-wipes container. My son, who has a cold, is using it as a tissue trash can. The flip top keeps the used tissues contained, and it’s very portable. Amy Avery, Comfort, Texas

Dear Heloise: When traveling, if possible, make sure to remove batteries from radios, cameras, trimmers, shavers, etc., because they can accidentally be turned on while in luggage and burn out the batteries.

In some situations, if batteries can’t be removed, it is wise to at least secure the on/off switches with tape. And removed batteries also can be a hazard themselves, so keep them away from any metal objects, and wrap them securely. M.C., Maine

Dear Heloise: In the interest of saving water and money, I have started to save the water I run in the shower before it gets hot. I hated seeing all that water going down the drain. I use a clean milk gallon jug and run the tap for the bath, collecting the cold water. I then can shower with the hot water. It takes about 20 seconds to get hot, and amounts to about half a gallon each day.

I use the water for my plants, for cooking, making coffee, filling ice trays, etc. Keep in mind, the water is clean. In this way, I am saving about 31‚Ñ2 gallons a week and 182 gallons a year! Rosemary Jones, Toms River, N.J.

Rosemary, this is an excellent hint for saving water, and as you have shown, the water savings really add up! It may take some extra effort at first, but soon it will become habit if we all become as diligent as you. Heloise

Dear Heloise: After I have washed and dried my sheets, I fold the sheets and one pillowcase. These are then placed in the matching pillowcase. Then I turn half of the pillowcase down, and there’s a nice bundle. I place this in my linen closet and will never have to look for matching items again. Mary Jane Cody, Divernon, Ill.

Dear Heloise: I find that plastic net onion bags make great scrubbers and can be thrown out when icky. Claire in Alabama

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