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Tips for packing your holiday packages

Dear Readers: Now’s the time to get packages sent off. Here are some PACKING HINTS from the U.S. Postal Service (www.usps.com):

* Cushion items. Newspaper, packing peanuts and shredded paper all can work. Insert shredded paper into fragile items to make sure they are protected. Shake the box to see if things rattle around — they shouldn’t.

* A box is a simple concept, but there are rules. The box must not bulge out; it has to close flat. Use 2-inch-wide clear or brown packing tape; don’t use cellophane or masking tape. Never tie a box with string, cord or twine — it can jam the equipment. If you’re reusing a box, that’s great, but remove, cover or black out all previous labels and logos on the box. Cover the mailing label with clear packing tape so it won’t smudge.

* Weight restrictions? You bet. Size matters. A box weighing more than 70 pounds cannot be mailed through the post office.

There also are items that you cannot ship. Check out the Postal Service’s website for more information. — Heloise

TECH TUESDAY

Dear Readers: Make predictive text work for you on your cellphone. When you’re typing a text or email and make a small typo, you shouldn’t have to erase what you’ve typed. Watch the predictive text automatically correct your error. — Heloise

HOT MEDS

Dear Heloise: I’ve heard that it’s not good to store medications in the bathroom. What do you think? — Kathy W. in California

Kathy, I agree completely, and here’s why: Heat and dampness from the bathroom can render medications less potent and possibly ineffective, especially pills and capsules.

Store medications in a cool, dry place, away from light, moisture and heat, and also away from children. Take the cotton stopper out of the bottle, too.

Ask your pharmacist for more hints on medication storage, and read on for another hint about prescription medications. — Heloise

HEALTH INFORMATION

Dear Heloise: I recommend talking to your pharmacist about medications. My doctor put me on a new medicine, but when I went to pick it up, the pharmacist said that this drug will interact with the meds I am on. It will cause severe illness.

It seems that my pharmacist might know more about medications than my doctor does. — Deb in Pennsylvania

CHILDREN’S SECTION

Dear Heloise: We like to travel, and we often go to places we don’t know a lot about. Books have a wealth of info, but they are usually too lengthy or in-depth for my purposes.

I discovered that the children’s section of the library is a great source of books that are brief and to the point. And they have pictures! — Dorothy S., Newport Beach, Calif.

CLEAN SUITCASES

Dear Heloise: When we come home from a trip, we unload suitcases in the garage so I can give them a good wipe-down, especially the wheels. You wouldn’t believe how black the towel gets. I also unload the dirty clothes right into the laundry room. — An Avid Reader, The Villages, Fla.

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.

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