Dear Heloise: As my grandchildren have gotten older, it occurred to me that their parents had gotten rid of their old landline. Today, many homes rely only on cellphones. Also, parents are wary of giving their young ones cellphones. This means that when young children are safely left at home without adult supervision for short periods, there is no way for them to call for help in an emergency.

Parents might consider having a separate cellphone in the house to replace the old landline and teach youngsters how to use it if needed. Thank you for all your hints.

-- Diane Hobbs, A Winchester Star Reader

CERAMIC TRIVET TILES

Dear Heloise: Coasters are helpful when using drinking glasses, and cups usually come with saucers. However, mugs don't always fit well on standard coasters, especially larger or heavier ones. But I found that the ceramic trivet tiles that I've collected over the years work just fine under my mugs. They provide a sturdy surface, protect furniture from heat or moisture, and add a decorative touch. Best of all, they are attractive reminders of places that we've visited or of thoughtful friends who gifted them to us.

-- G.A., in Colorado Springs, Colorado

An ALTERNATIVE TO LOCKBOXES

Dear Heloise: I've read a couple of hints about using lockboxes for fire departments, ambulances and similar services. A much simpler option is to invest in a smart lock; most are easy to install and compatible with existing locks. You simply program a code, and you can give it to whoever - friends, neighbors, repairmen, the police, etc. This code is reprogrammable and can be specific to each entity.

-A Reader, via email

WHY SOME DRYERS NEED TWO CYCLES

Dear Heloise: A friend recently complained that her energy-efficient dryer often took two cycles to dry a normal load of clothes. Many newer dryers have built-in safety features that are designed to prevent overheating and reduce the risk of fires, which can cause them to shut off early.

In many cases, this problem is caused by a clogged or a restricted dryer vent pipe that prevents the proper airflow. If there isn't a company in your area that specializes in cleaning dryer vent pipes, consider contacting a chimney sweep service as they often provide this type of cleaning as well. Keeping vents clear can improve the drying time and help the dryer run more efficiently.

-- Elaine C. Williamson, via email

A GENTLE SHAKE FOR BETTER MILK

Dear Heloise: I use very little milk, but I usually have to buy it in half-gallon containers. Occasionally, I can find milk that is sold in quart bottles, and the containers say to "shake" before use. I noticed that there isn't always a clear "use by" date on the bottle, but the milk seems to last for a really long time.

This got me thinking-why not try shaking the half-gallon containers as well? I gave it a try, and it seems to work. The milk stays fresh longer and tastes better to me.

-- Sandy C., in Huber Heights, Ohio

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.