HELOISE: Inspect package during delivery

Dear Heloise: When you receive a package from a delivery service at your home or work, always inspect the package before you sign for it. The driver showed up at my door with his truck running, and my dogs were barking. It was very chaotic. He asked me to sign for the package I was expecting, he handed it to me, and before I knew it, he was gone.

The problem? The package had been cut open and items had been removed, which I didn’t notice until it was too late. This was about $1,500 in jewelry!

Fortunately, the items were insured, and the company I ordered from was very helpful in working with me to replace the items, but if I had looked at the package first, I would have known it had been tampered with and refused to sign for it.

Jennifer , in San Antonio

Oh my gosh! Who would have thought? Hopefully this was an isolated case, but it’s certainly something to be aware of. This also is a reminder to have expensive items insured when shipping.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: My husband and I each take several medications, and many of the containers look alike. I paint around the lids of my medications with red nail polish so we can tell at a glance which meds are mine and which are his without having to read each label.

Linda Peterson, Spokane, Wash.

Dear Heloise: I keep a magnetic business card (magnet side up) on my desk. When I pull staples, I just pile them on it until I’m ready to dump them. It sure keeps them from ending up tangled in carpet fibers.

Rose, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: The best way to avoid shoe odor is to buy only shoes with removable inserts. Remove inserts after use, and rotate with another pair of inserts during the week. No odor problems.

M.K., via e-mail

Dear Heloise: Instead of buying special padding products to put between nonstick skillets so they do not get scratched or damaged, I use the bubbly cushion wrap from items that have been sent to me via the mail. Recycle!

Mary Lou, Coolville, Ohio

Dear Heloise: Those shiny advertisements that come on the heavy cardstock in the mail are useful! I accidentally sat on one in my car. When I went to get out of the car, I easily swiveled and got my legs out of the car. This might be helpful for people with mobility issues.

A Reader, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: In our busy world of bringing children to day care, shopping, etc., sometimes a child will fall asleep in a car seat and may be forgotten. In order not to forget a child, a woman should put her purse in the back seat next to the child. So many of us would never forget our purse, and this will be a reminder.

Marci Simpson, Central Louisiana

King Features Syndicate