Dear Readers: Temperatures are getting low in most parts of the country. Let’s make sure our pets are safe and warm:

— Salt and de-icer can do a number on dogs’ paw pads. Wipe their feet whenever they come inside.

— Frostbite is a real concern. Don’t let animals stay outside for long periods of time. And, if you can get your pet to wear them, booties can help keep feet warm. The dog may not go for them though.

— Make sure there’s a path for the dog to get outside to go potty. If not, they won’t want to go.

— Cats can seek out warmth anywhere. Bang on the hood of your car in the morning to get them to run off.

— Bathing pets at this time is not a priority. The low humidity can dry out pets’ skin.

— Small pets can benefit from a sweater, again, if they will wear it.

. Don’t leave pets alone in the car. It’s too cold and there’s a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

— Doghouse rules: three closed sides, up off the ground and filled with straw or hay (blankets, carpets and towels retain moisture). No leaky roof, and foam padding around the inside will help keep your pet warm.

This information comes from the Kosciusko County Rural Electric Membership Corporation. — Heloise

NEATER WARM CANDLE

Dear Heloise: Has everybody figured this out but me? I use an aluminum muffin cup in my candle warmer to keep things neat. — Carey in Virginia

BOOMER

Dear Heloise: The trick for using loud music to get rid of raccoons in the attic reminded me how my deceased wife got rid of squirrels in our attic some 20 years ago. She, likewise, used music.

With her boom box at full volume, she played the 1812 Overture. More specifically, she blasted the squirrels away with the blasting cannons in the Overture. A classical solution. — David S.

HINT FROM HIM: MASK UP

Dear Heloise: I would like to share an idea I came up with today regarding my mask. None of these masks has a wire nose piece and therefore do not fit around my nose for the protection that I need.

I had a roll of floral wire and I cut it the length of each mask and ran it above the seam at top. Being fine wire, it went in with no difficultly at all. They fit really great. Every little bit of protection helps. — Jerry S. in Strasburg, Vir.

BEND, STRETCH SHOWER

Dear Heloise: Two for one: After each shower, I wipe it down with a sponge and, in the process, I will get my stretches and bends in without thinking about it, and always a clean shower. — Dot from Michigan

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

Dear Heloise: What is a credit report? Is it important to have good credit? — Jamie M., age 14, Dallas

Jamie, Great to know you’re thinking about your future financial fitness! Your credit report is an important “report card” of sorts.

It tells your history of borrowing and paying back money. A good credit report can get you better interest rates (the money banks charge you to borrow from them) when you’re ready to buy a house, car or other large purchase.

Info on your credit report can include: your name, current and previous addresses, your birthdate and your Social Security number.

Also, it lists all the credit accounts you have open and their types: house loan (mortgage), installment loans and revolving credit (credit cards), and student loans, along with your payment history, how much you owe (the balance), the credit limit, the name of the company you owe money to and how long you’ve had credit. If you owe child support, that can show up on a credit report too.

It’s important to keep your credit report as clean as possible, to pay down debt in a timely fashion and to check your credit report for any errors. — Heloise

P.S. Potential employers can check your credit report too, although this trend has fallen out of favor as of late.

CLASSIC HELOISE HINT — WRAP IT UP!

Dear Readers: One of my favorite classic hints is now cool again, because it’s sustainable! And that hint is: wrapping small gifts in sheet music, colorful old road maps, old letters and the Sunday comics.

Reusing and repurposing these papers will save paper, money and trees! — Heloise

NOW, THAT’S TACKY

Dear Heloise: It’s important to let eyelash glue (and all adhesives, really) hit the air for a few seconds and get a little tacky. The stickiness improves, in my experience. — Amy R. in Pennsylvania

TECH TALK TUESDAY — CLOSET CULTURE

Dear Heloise: I record and post videos online, and I’ve discovered the sound quality is better in my closet, plus I can get privacy! — Brayden D. via email