Dear Readers: Tonight’s the night for ghosts, gremlins, ghouls and goblins. Here are some safety hints:

— Don’t go it alone. A group effort is best, and plan the route before you go. Don’t trick or treat in neighborhoods where you don’t know anybody. Kids under 12? Parental supervision is necessary.

— Stay on the sidewalk. Tromping through someone’s yard is not OK, and the roads are made for motor traffic.

— Regardless of your costume, make sure your shoes are nonskid and comfy. You’ll be doing a lot of walking.

Not into trick-or-treating? Check local churches and community centers. They might be having a fun harvest festival, with games, hayrides and bobbing for apples. — Heloise

IN THE MOMENT

Dear Heloise: I’ve taught my kids to be “mindful.” What does that mean? It means being cognizant of what’s going on right now.

We take just 10 minutes a day with no phones, no TV, no music, no distractions. We sit quietly and listen to our own breathing.

Medical professionals suspect that these mindfulness sessions can reduce anxiety and stress, raise our ability to concentrate and even boost the immune system.

This is super-simple — I’d advise all of your readers to give it a try. — Rebecca S. in Chicago

SHARP, NOT DULL

Dear Heloise: To avoid shedding tears when slicing onions, I’ve found it helpful to use a very sharp knife. — Martin C., Fort Wayne, Ind.

Martin, this theory is proven true. A knife cuts the cells of the onion, and then the irritating vapors are released. A sharp knife cuts the onion and the cells quickly and comes in contact with those cells so briefly that fewer vapors are released.

A dull knife cuts more slowly, so the vapors come out slowly, and more are released. — Heloise

COVER LOVER

Dear Heloise: Ever since I began to use a hand-held can opener, my really nice can opener cover sat in a drawer.

I know many people use distilled water, as have I, for some of the newer individual-serving coffee makers. I got the idea to cover the 1-gallon water jug with the can opener’s cover, and it was a perfect fit. No more ugly water jug. — Vicki G., White Haven, Pa.

MAKE SURE TO ASK

Dear Heloise: A reminder to your readers who are veterans or active-duty military: One of the big home-improvement centers offers a 10% discount on all purchases. You must show proof of service. — John L., San Dimas, Calif.

John, great hint. Readers, lots of retailers offer military and senior discounts, but they may not advertise them. Never be afraid to ask. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: Don’t throw out those fruit and pudding containers. They can be washed out and stored to use later when you serve chips, buffalo wings, etc., and you want containers to hold dipping sauces. If you have enough, you can have one for each guest. — Anne J., Chillicothe, Ill.

FAKE FLOWER FORMULA

Dear Heloise: To clean my artificial flowers, I grab a paper bag and a handful of salt. The flowers and salt go in the bag, and, after a steady shake, the flowers come out clean. — Millie D. in California

TASTY TIDBIT

Dear Readers: Here is a trivia question that tests your “Food IQ” and might stump your friends.

In the late 1800s, while trying to make cheese with cream and whole milk, a dairyman came up with what popular, multipurpose dairy product we use today? Can you guess? It was cream cheese. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.