Dear Readers: Today’s SOUND OFF is about providing for pets if the owners have passed away:

Dear Heloise: Please remind all pet owners, especially those of us who are elderly, that it is vital that you provide for your pets in case they survive you. I have seen too many beloved pets put down because their owners didn’t leave provisions for their care. Please, Heloise, print this. People read and follow your advice. Do this for all pet owners and their furry friends. — Carol M., Granbury, Texas

Carol, I agree with you 100%. One of the kindest things you can do for your pets is to find someone who will offer to take care of them and give them a good home after you’re gone. Don’t assume that your friends or family are willing to take your pets into their home. Talk it over to see how they feel about that additional responsibility. — Heloise

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Here are some additional uses for hydrogen peroxide:

* Whiten your nails. Soak a cotton pad with hydrogen peroxide and rub your nails.

* Disinfect your toothbrush.

* Freshen your breath — swish some hydrogen peroxide around in your mouth, but DO NOT swallow!

— Heloise

AIRPLANE ETIQUETTE

Dear Heloise: There are some basic rules of etiquette that passengers should follow to make their airline flight as comfortable and stress-free as possible. First, if you’re waiting in the Transportation Security Administration line, do not stop and open your luggage. It holds up the line. Do not fall asleep on your fellow passenger’s shoulder. Make sure your carry-on luggage fits into the overhead bin or under your seat, and do not take longer than one minute to store those items. We all need our personal space, so respect your seatmate’s space. If you bring food on board, make certain it has a low odor or no odor. Do not recline your seat all the way back. — Lorraine in Colorado

HOUSEKEEPING CHORES

Dear Heloise: I’ve discovered an easy way to stay on top of my housekeeping. Years ago, I decided that every day, when I got home from work, I would assign myself a housekeeping task. For example, I might take out the trash, mop the kitchen floor, change the sheets or do a load of laundry. This made keeping up with things around my home so much easier and less of a chore. — Vanessa in New Mexico

NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS

Dear Heloise: I like to work with natural products and found that if I used 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to a gallon of water and sit for about 30 minutes in the sun, my hair would lighten. My sister has auburn hair, and to increase the red highlights she will rinse her hair with apple-cider vinegar. It not only adds highlights to her hair, it cuts the soap and reduces dandruff by killing the bacteria on her scalp. You can also rinse with strong tea or rose hips to bring out the red. — Patsy H., Warwick, R.I.

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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.