Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: Barring natural disasters, here are some suggestions for people who work from home:

•Do you have enough paper for your printer(s)? How about ink and toner cartridges for copiers and laser printers?

•Is all your work backed up on the computer? Could you get to the backup copies quickly if you had to?

•Do you own several battery-operated radios that can get weather forecasts? They could be a lifesaver in a storm or if the power goes out. Battery-powered wall clocks are useful, in case of power outage.

•Is your vehicle fully serviced and ready to go? Change the timing belt in the engine. If it breaks, you are in for expensive repairs – maybe a new engine.

•Usually, cell phones will work. But most cordless-phone manufacturers recommend having at least one wired phone in the house. – Mr. A. Engel, Madison, S.D.