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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hints From Heloise

King Features Syndicate

Dear Heloise: When the fluid gets low on the spray bottles of cleaner, the siphon tube sometimes doesn’t reach far enough. I use a plastic straw and slip it over the siphon tube to reach the bottom of the bottle. Works every time. Hardy Irby, Bucyrus, Ohio

Dear Heloise: It’s very important to check the batteries in your smoke alarm to be sure they are working properly. To remember to check them monthly, I write on the top of each calendar month, “Check smoke detector batteries.” This is an easy reminder and helps keep me more at ease. It just takes a minute to check them! Lorianne Mason, Mobile, Ala.

You’re right. Other readers have suggested using the day they pay rent, payday or, as you say, the first of the month, which is easy to remember. - Heloise Send a great hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio TX 78279-5000.