Dear Readers: NATURAL GAS is used for a variety of things, such as to heat water, cook and, of course, as a source of heat. Natural gas is odorless and highly flammable. Gas companies add a “rotten-egg” smell as a safety precaution and warning because leaks, although rare, can occur. Here are some safety hints if you suspect that there is a natural-gas leak in your home:
* Whether you smell a faint or strong odor of gas, get out of your house immediately. Don’t take a chance!
* Don’t try to locate the source of the gas leak yourself.
* Don’t touch electrical switches or doorbells, and DO NOT USE A FLASHLIGHT OR TELEPHONE. Any electric spark (even static electricity) could cause an explosion. Why take a chance?
* Call your gas company from a neighbor’s house or your cellphone once you’re outside and far away from the structure.
Check with your natural gas provider about any questions you may have. You SHOULD install gas detectors in your home! -- Heloise
HOMEMADE JELLY
Dear Heloise: Small jars filled with jelly make excellent gifts for people who are in nursing homes. Be sure to use sealing wax before putting the lid on so the jelly will be properly preserved. I enjoy your hints in our daily paper. -- Amy G. Triplet, Pineville, La.
HANDY SHOWER CAPS
Dear Heloise: I wanted to share my hint for shower caps. I buy an eight-pack of shower caps at a store that sells everything for $1 and have found many uses for them.
Some favorites are: Place a basket with them by your door and slip them over dirty shoes before coming in the house for a quick drink, etc.
Place over small appliances to keep them dust-free between uses; especially good if you store the appliances.
Place them over shoes before packing them for a trip.
Put some in the side panel of your car door to put over your shoes if they are muddy when you get in the car.
Place over bowls of food before putting them in the refrigerator.
The nice part is that you can throw them in with towels to wash. If you do this, take them out to air-dry; do not put them in the dryer. I have found so many uses for them. -- Shirley B., Caddo Mills, Tex.
HARD-TO-HANDLE BUTTONS
Dear Heloise: Just read the letter from a reader who wants snaps instead of buttons on clothing. She can go to a seamstress, who can close up buttonholes, remove the buttons and attach snaps. It should be very inexpensive to do. I enjoy reading your column in the Free Lance-Star here in Fredericksburg, Va. -- Patty, via e-mail
This is a good idea. If you can, do it yourself. However, we found a dry cleaner who would charge $3 per button, so a 10-button shirt would cost $30, which may not be inexpensive to some. -- Heloise
Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. Please include your city and state.
2012, King Features Syndicate
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