Dear Heloise: Last year, I got a ticket because I had a burned-out taillight. Since this time, I made some changes in my routine to stay on top of things like that:

— Every time we change our clocks in the spring or fall, I check all the smoke alarms in the house and put in fresh batteries.

— Every Sept. 10 (my son’s birthday), I have the outdoor heating and cooling unit checked and maintained.

— On the first Saturday of October, I do a routine check on all doors and windows to make sure there are no drafts and that all locks are working properly.

— On the first Saturday of June, I take my car in and have it checked to be certain that the tires are in good condition, all the lights work, and the brakes are in good condition.

In case you’re wondering how I remember to do all this, I buy a wall calendar every December and write these things on them. I also write other important dates on them such as birthdays, anniversaries, special moments and more. This has saved me a lot of trouble by taking only a few minutes to update the new calendar each year. — Jacob G., Lima, Ohio

LEFTOVER ­WALLPAPER

Dear Heloise: I recently had new wallpaper installed in my bathroom. There was so much leftover that I decided to wrap the simple mat and frame in the wallpaper. It looks as though a professional designer decorated my bathroom. It turned out really nice. — Anne S., West Warwick, Rhode Island

NO CHILDPROOF BOTTLES

Dear Heloise: I couldn’t open the caps on my pill bottles and sometimes had to take the bottle back to the pharmacy so that someone could open it for me. Finally, I asked for a bottle that was easier to open. The pharmacist said to simply ask for a bottle that was not childproof. Since I am 70 and have no young children, this is what I do now. In fact, anyone can ask for the old-fashioned bottles that allow the elderly to open their bottles without a struggle. — Elizabeth T., Naples, Florida

FIREPLACE PRECAUTIONS

Dear Heloise: If anyone has a fireplace in their home, now is a great time to have it inspected by a professional chimney sweep. Make sure that you have a screen to keep sparks from flying out and prevent little ones from trying to reach into the fire.

And while I’m at it, do not burn trash, such as wrapping paper, ribbons and other items, in your fireplace. Many of those things have chemicals that are very dangerous if inhaled. — Walter D., Bend, Oregon

PAY A VISIT TO THE ­NURSING HOME

Dear Heloise: I recently paid a visit to my mother who is in a nursing home. While there, one of my mother’s friends who also lives there stopped in, and we were talking about visitors. Long story short, please tell your readers that so many of the folks in nursing homes don’t want “things” as much as they want a visit from family and friends.

If they are mobile, then take them out to dinner or lunch somewhere nice, or take them wherever they want to go. Or just sit and talk to them. — Sandra M., Bellevue, Washington

HOSPITAL MEDICATIONS

Dear Heloise: Never leave any medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, with a hospitalized relative. The danger of an adverse reaction or overdose is too great! All medications should only be ordered by the physician and administered by licensed hospital staff. Thank you. — Cathy King, Registered Nurse

— — —

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.