Dear Heloise: Thank you for all the helpful hints that you have given your readers over the years. I would like to add in my hint for walking in the dark. We have motion-sensor lights in wall plugs around our house. But with four dogs, I need more light at night sometimes, especially on my way to the bathroom.

I keep my phone on my bedside table to charge overnight. When I need to get up in the dark, I say, “Siri, turn on the flashlight.” My phone light turns on and lights my way as I carry it to and from the bathroom. A friend taught me this trick when she was trying to find an item in her purse and couldn’t see it. She told Siri to turn on the flashlight, and my friend could find exactly what she was looking for.

Hope this helps someone! And thank you again for sharing your helpful hints. — Deborah Hershey, via email

FRUIT RIPENING

Dear Heloise: We are able to eat a variety of nonlocal produce because of refrigeration, which slows the ripening process until the produce can be delivered. But locally grown produce tastes better than commercial, which uses chemicals to grow and control the growing process. — Ann’s Thoughts, via email

GUEST ROOM NECESSITIES

Dear Heloise: I would like to add to Sally’s list for a comfortable guest room. I always make sure that there is a trash can, mirror, tissue box, and night light. Guests really appreciate the night light to find their way to the bathroom. — Cathy Farias, via email

THEFT PREVENTION

Dear Heloise: There have been several high-profile burglaries of celebrity homes recently where a safe was taken along with other valuables. I am a retired police officer with advanced training in theft prevention and wanted to offer some insight:

I urge anyone considering the purchase of a safe to first learn a few things. A safe should be concealed, if at all possible, and should be bolted to a stationary object, such as a concrete floor. This, along with an inventory of valuables, would go a long way in reducing the impact of a residential burglary. — A Reader, via email

FUDGE RECIPE ­CORRECTION

Dear Readers: Here’s the correction for Matthew’s Microwave Fudge recipe:

1 pound of powdered sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/4 pound butter or margarine

4 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts

Combine all the ingredients except the nuts in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until the ingredients in the mixture are melted and smooth. Remove and stir periodically.

When the mixture is smooth, remove it from the microwave and stir in the nuts. Stir again and pour the mixture into a buttered 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and allow it to cool completely before cutting it into bite-sized pieces. — Heloise

SLIMMING DOWN

Dear Heloise: I’ve always been a bit on the plump side and probably always will be. (I love good food!) So, I had to find ways to make me look slimmer than I was without always dressing in black, baggy clothes. Here are some ideas on ways to slim yourself down:

— Wear one color top to bottom. (Yes, even red.)

— Wear heels instead of flats.

— Wear three-quarter sleeves or short sleeves rather than long sleeves. — Wear proper undergarments. (This makes a big difference.)

— Make sure that your hose and shoes match.

— Show off those curves by letting clothing skim your body. They can’t be too tight or too loose. — A.R., via email

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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.