HELOISE: Getting rid of expired medicine

Dear Heloise: What do I do with prescription medicines that are expired? Do I just toss them in the trash can or flush them? I have found several bottles of medicine that are outdated and need to be disposed of some way.

Franklin D., via e-mail

Stop — don’t just toss or flush them! Here’s the update: Do not flush unless the labeling says that it’s OK. Don’t know if your meds can be flushed? Visit the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) website and type into the search box: “disposing of expired medicine,” or call your pharmacy for suggestions.

Some cities may have a drop-off location for expired medications. Call your trash or recycling company or city hall to see if it has this service in your community.

Here’s how to dispose of expired meds (if you must) in your household garbage, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy: Remove the drugs from the containers, then combine the drugs with used coffee grounds or used cat litter. Pour the mixture into a plastic container with a lid and place in the garbage. Heloise Hint: Any gloppy, nonedible substance should do the trick.

This has become a major problem worldwide, so please take the time to follow the above steps.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have a niece getting married soon. Just curious: When giving money, what is an average amount for a family of four attending the reception?

Yvonne, via e-mail

Yvonne, this is a good question, and one many people wonder about. There is no set amount that each person is “expected” to give. This is not a “pay for” event. Give what you are comfortable with, what you can afford, and enjoy the celebration!

Heloise

P.S.: If you are on a tight budget and really have no spare cash to give, a gift from the heart is always in good taste. Also, your presence is what is meaningful, not the presents you give.

Dear Heloise: I live in an area that experiences frequent thunderstorms, and therefore occasional power outages. When I go on vacation, I place four or five ice cubes in a dish in the freezer. When I return, if the ice cubes have evolved into a pond of ice in the dish, I know the power was off for several hours, and that I should be leery of anything in the freezer/refrigerator.

A.P. in Texas

Dear Heloise: Recently, I had to replace my microwave oven. I kept the turntable and the ring wheel, not knowing what I’m keeping it for.

While watching TV in the bedroom, I thought of the turntable I’d stored. The TV sat perfectly on it. Now I can turn it when watching from bed or in the recliner without picking it up to turn it.

Helen LaFollette, Capon Bridge, W.Va.

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