Out of harm's way

Dear Readers: In the past few months, I have read several articles about children dying after being left in a HOT CAR.

Every summer, there are incidents like this involving children and pets. Please, please be sure you never leave children or pets in a car, even for a few minutes! It might not feel very hot outside to you, but on a warm or hot day (it's still hot in New Mexico, Texas and a number of other states), the inside of a car heats very quickly.

Even with windows down a little, temperatures inside a car can reach 102 degrees in just 10 minutes when the temperature outside is 85 degrees. If it is warmer or humid, the temperature inside the car will be even higher.

Also, be sure to know exactly where your children are. Sometimes the children play in the car and get trapped inside.

Keep those kiddies and pets out of harm's way! -- Heloise

CAT AND MOUSE

Dear Heloise: Everyone seems to be using a computer mouse these days. My hint: Try to learn to use your non-writing hand to work the mouse. It will feel strange at first, but it leaves your writing hand free to do important things like writing notes and picking up the coffee cup without spilling anything.

Although I am strongly right-handed, I find operating a mouse left-handed to be more natural. And it is sure fun watching right-handed visitors try to use my PC left-handed. -- Tom McBride, West Orange, N.J.

Tom, I'm switching to my left hand right now! I can click, write, sip tea and dial the phone all at once. -- Heloise

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000 or fax it to 210-HELOISE.