HELOISE: Reusing bottles can be risky

Dear Heloise: I read in The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger your column about reusing empty detergent bottles.

As a manager for the New Jersey Poison Center, I have seen many disasters when people repurpose or reuse containers to store chemicals. All chemicals should be left in their original child-resistant containers, which have the directions for use on them.

Unfortunately, people will take leftover chemicals such as antifreeze, windshield-washer fluid, pesticides, oven cleaners, lamp oil, etc., and transfer them to smaller containers when the original bottle is partially empty.

People place these leftover chemicals in empty soda bottles, fruit-drink bottles, baby bottles, etc.

Almost every week, we receive a call regarding a child or adult who has accidentally drunk a chemical that was improperly stored in a container other than the original container it came in.

I would appreciate if you would print in your column the dangers of using containers to store chemicals they were not originally meant for.

Also, please inform your readers that their poison center is only a phone call away at 800-222-1222.

Bruce Ruck, Pharm.D., R.Ph., via e-mail

Dr. Ruck, thank you for sharing lifesaving information and reminding my readers that it is very dangerous to transfer chemicals to other containers. Don’t take a chance, folks!

Heloise

Dear Readers: Safety pins are reusable in many ways:

Attach matching buttons together in a sewing kit.

In a pinch, use in place of a small screw to fix eyeglasses.

Mark stains for the laundry.

Indicate guest pillows and pillowcases.

Carry on your key chain for emergencies.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I was surprised when I read the letter from the lady who wanted slacks with shorter inseams. I wear a 35- or 36-inch inseam, depending on the slacks, and I can’t buy slacks off the rack. Walk into any department store and you will see a Misses section, a Women’s section and a Petite section. Do you see a Tall Women’s department?

Remember, you can cut off the fabric if it’s there, but you can’t add it on if it’s not. Stores are really missing a huge business.

Patricia M., via e-mail

Patricia, everything is point of view, looking up or down, short or long. We called several stores, and there are a few manufacturers that make longer inseams. The stores said to visit their catalogs and websites, where selection may be greater.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I am writing to express my concern about brick walkways at medical-related facilities. Although the brick is pleasing to the eye, it’s difficult for those of us who use canes and walkers. The unevenness of the bricks creates hazardous walking and a greater possibility of falls.

Shirley in New Jersey

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate