Exercise caution with ladder use

Dear Readers: It's one of the most dangerous tools around the home, even though it uses no electricity or moving parts. What is it? Whether you're painting, hanging or reorganizing around the house, chances are you'll be using a ladder this summer. But be careful — more than a quarter of a million people are hurt on ladders every year! Here are some important hints to follow:

• Always read the warning label attached to your ladder for weight and height limits. This seems obvious, but there are many different types of ladders.

• When working near electricity, use a fiberglass ladder, NOT a metal one.

• Always inspect the ladder rungs before climbing to make sure they're sturdy, clean and dry.

• Keep the ladder on a firm, level surface — no loose or wet dirt or gravel.

• Never overextend your reach. It's safer to just move the ladder!

• Use both hands to climb. Carry your tools or supplies on a tool belt, or have someone else hand things to you as you need them. —Heloise

P.S. Paint every other rung with bright paint as a visual clue!

Dear Heloise: When traveling, I take a postcard kit with me, containing postcard stamps and preaddressed address labels, to and from. Before, I never could find a postcard stamp; therefore, I was paying the full letter rate. Now I can easily send postcards right out so I don't have to remember what or how to say things at a later time. Usually, I would send postcards out with my hometown postmark instead of my destination, somewhat taking away the true meaning of the intended postcard. —J. Larson, Abilene, Texas

Well, have you been peeking at my outgoing mail? I'm infamous for bringing vacation postcards home and mailing them from San Antonio. —Heloise

Dear Heloise: A few weeks ago, I baked an apple pie, and as usual it boiled over in the oven. The next day I decided to try something new, so I just laid two paper towels over the burn and poured water on it until the towels were saturated, thinking I would soften the burned syrup and it would be easier to clean. Several hours later, to my surprise, it just wiped out clean.

—Agnes, via e-mail

Agnes, the next time you bake a pie, place it on a cookie sheet. This way, the sheet will collect any spills, and cleanup will be that much easier. —Heloise

Dear Heloise: I invert (inside out) a zippered sandwich bag and place a magnet inside the inverted bag. I have spilled many small screws, nails and tacks while working. The bag with the magnet can be drawn over those tedious, countless magnetic bits. After they are gathered, simply invert the bag right side out. Zip the bag shut, and you can store it for later use. —Steve "Sandy" Anderson, Houston

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Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; fax: 1-210-HELOISE; e-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com

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© King Features Syndicate Inc.