Mailing gift cards could be chancy

Dear Heloise: Please warn your readers about purchasing gift cards. It is just as dangerous to send these cards through the mail as it is to send money. Anyone can redeem them. For Christmas, we sent some gift cards along with Christmas cards. Either the cards were not delivered or the gift cards were not removed from holiday cards and were destroyed or thrown in the garbage.

If the card was not used for a period of time, it is possible that the store might be able to cancel the card and reissue another one if you have your receipt. Check with the store where you bought the card to see what its policy is. — Heloise

Here are some quick and easy cleaning hints from Heloise Central:

• Wash windows with vinegar and dry them with crumpled newspapers.

• Freshen draperies on the "fluff" cycle of the dryer with a fabric-softener sheet or two.

• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, let sit, then vacuum. No more stale odors.

• Give the refrigerator a thorough cleaning. Take out vegetable bins and give them a good washing.

• Clean out the medicine chest or drawer and properly dispose of expired items or unused portions of medications.

Dear Heloise: I read with interest your answer to what to do with old keys. While I thought you had wonderful ideas, I would like to give a word of caution about giving children a "play" key chain. We gave our daughter some old keys to play with when she was a toddler. She inserted a key into an electrical outlet. While she was not hurt, it gave her a significant jolt. Kids have questioning minds and often like to test out their ideas. — Patti Bammert, Anamosa, Iowa

How right you are! Children are very inquisitive, so you should make safety No. 1. — Heloise