Dear Heloise: Sharon’s letter was about the importance of teaching one’s children to swim well and to practice excellent water safety in general. My husband and I were not only good swimmers but worked as lifeguards as teens. We chose not to install our backyard pool until each of our four kids was water-safe. Our combined experiences convinced us that one can never be lax around water.

Our 14-year-old daughter pulled a visiting 3-year-old out of our pool as his parents visited with other adults about 20 feet away. This type of “accident” often happens when lots of people, including adults, are close by. Learning to swim is not a choice but a necessity! — Cindy, in St. Louis

Cindy, as summer approaches I cannot stress this enough. I’ve received too many “if only” letter from parents who say, “If only I’d taught them to swim or even dog-paddle.” Learning to swim has saved many lives, and it’s never too early to learn. — Heloise

POOL ALARM

Dear Heloise: I’ve just read the advice of Sharon in Mesa, Arizona, to teach your children to swim. This is excellent advice, but I took extra precautions.

We put in a pool last summer. My grandson visits for a few days here and there throughout his summer break. I was concerned that he may sneak out to swim while we were sleeping. (He’s a 10-year-old boy who is full of curiosity!) I did research online and purchased a pool alarm from a large online retailer.

The alarm works wonderfully. Anything 15 pounds or more will set it off. Also, waves from people jumping in or moving the water will set it off. The monitor is inside my house, and the sound rivals any smoke detector I’ve ever heard. It’s very simple to place and take out when not needed, or you can simply use the magnetic key to turn it off and leave the alarm in place.

My grandson tried to take it out of the pool and learned right away that he would never get away with it. Better safe than sorry! — Beverly, in Arkansas

LAUNDERING A FITTED SHEET

Dear Heloise: I saw an ad for a device to hold the corners of a fitted sheet together while it’s being laundered. It prevents clothing from getting caught inside the sheet.

The next time I did laundry, I thought about holding the corners of the sheets together and realized that a large rubber band would work just fine. I now take the four corners of the fitted sheet, hold them together, then use the rubber band to bind them together. I wash the sheets and dry them with the rubber band on.

It works great, and I no longer have damp clothes wrapped up in the sheet as it comes out of the dryer. — A Reader, via email

MONEY-SAVING SHAVING CREAM

Dear Heloise: To save money, use a bar of soap or liquid soap instead of canned shaving cream. It’s better for the environment, too. — Ed, in Dallas

Ed, there is something else you can use to shave with, and it is plain ol’

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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.