Protect Internet passwords

These steps are especially important if you are writing down information for any banking or credit card account number that someone else could use. Unfortunately, even your own children might take advantage of your password and buy something using your credit card. By the way, writing it down as “someone’s address” is an old trick. Thieves have learned to look for address books for this reason. — Linda Foley, founder, Identity Theft Resource Center

Linda: Thanks for alerting my readers about safe Internet practices. For many readers who use their computer at home, it’s still advisable to keep passwords protected, especially, as you said, anything to do with financial or credit card information.

Also, passwords should not be easy words and should include a number or two. — Heloise

Dog treats

DEAR HELOISE: I have three small dogs, and they love their treats! But the cost was quite significant. A friend said I should check the stores that sell stuff for a dollar. I was able to buy almost the same type of treats for only $1 as compared with $4 or $5. I am saving money, and the dogs are still happy! — Joy Grabowski, New Braunfels, Texas

Joy: Just be sure to check the expiration date, and you are good to go! — Heloise

Blind danger

DEAR READERS: Cats love to play with window-blind cords. To prevent accidents, tie cords out of reach and sight, plus cut any loops or untie loose knots that might tighten if pulled. Take a minute to check all of your blind cords so you can help keep agile and curious pets (and small children) safe from harm. — Heloise

Fast facts

DEAR HELOISE: I found a couple of ways to use empty pill bottles that seem to accumulate:

* Keep earrings in when traveling.

* Our community saves pull tabs from pop cans, so it is a good way to store them.

* Keep several in the sewing box to hold extra pins, buttons and even a tape measure.

— Lydia Grace from Mulberry, Fla.

Lydia: You may want to put a few cotton balls inside the bottle to keep the earrings from bouncing around. — Heloise

Paint-tray insert

DEAR HELOISE: Don’t pay good money for those plastic inserts for paint trays. Instead, line the tray with aluminum foil; tuck it into the corners and wrap it around the outside. If your foil isn’t wide enough, use two sections and join them with masking tape. I’ve done this for years, and it works like a charm. — Jack Wolock, Columbus, Ohio

Ammonia types

DEAR HELOISE: What is the difference between ammonia and sudsy ammonia, and what is each used for? — Gayle from North Carolina

Gayle: Regular or nonsudsing ammonia is used for general all-purpose cleaning of mirrors, chrome and windows. Sudsy ammonia contains a little detergent and is better suited for tougher cleaning jobs. Since it contains detergent, it might streak when cleaning mirrors or glass, but if there is a heavy dirt or greasy buildup, this is the product to use. — Heloise

Sanitizing a cutting board

DEAR HELOISE: How can I clean my wooden cutting board? — Deborah Walker, via e-mail

Deborah: The United States Department of Agriculture recommends washing the board in hot, soapy water and rinsing every time you use it.

To sanitize, mix 1 tablespoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach in a gallon of water and pour the solution all over the board. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse and dry with clean paper towels, or allow it to air dry. Your wood cutting board is clean, sanitized and ready to use again. — Heloise

P.S.: The USDA toll-free phone number is 888-674-6854.

Christmas storage

DEAR HELOISE: Each year when I’m cleaning out the Christmas decorations and storing them, I pack my Christmas gift-wrapping paper and ribbon in the same storage area. Then I go through the Christmas cards and tear off the fronts to donate to organizations that use them, and keep all of the letters, notes and photos. These I store with new cards (which I’ve bought at after-Christmas sales) and my mailing list. I reread the notes next year before writing my own.

I box my holiday jewelry (well-marked) and store it with these cards. Then as soon as I get the urge to start with my notes next year, the jewelry is right there. — Barbara Fenley, via e-mail

Hints from Heloise is syndicated by King Features Syndicate. Send great hints to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; by fax, 210-HELOISE (435-6473); or by e-mail, Heloise@Heloise.com.