Dear Heloise: I have a hard time reading or even finding the expiration dates on many food products. On yogurt containers, the date does not consistently appear in the same place on the individual container. It is very difficult to read when it runs into the printing on the label.

Manufacturers should be required to print legible expiration dates on each product as this could be a health issue at times.

I read your column daily in the Daily News and have used many of your hints over the years. Thank you for your service. — Lory B., in Porter Ranch, California

Lory, I know it’s sometimes difficult to find the expiration dates on a lot of food items, but on a small container, it can’t be helped. I finally decided to buy an inexpensive magnifying glass for the kitchen. It’s helped me keep track of the freshness of many food items and even examine fruit and vegetables. — Heloise

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Dear Heloise: Every adult needs the following legal documents to protect themselves in the event of severe illness, injury and/or death: a will (including your estate and list of assets), a durable power of attorney (POA) for finances, a durable POA for health care, legal guardianship, and advanced directives that you list while still competent. Here are some more suggestions:

— Have an individual you trust: The POA and co-owner on all financial institution accounts will be able to access money if you are unable to access these accounts due to illness/ injury/death. Check with all financial institutions regarding your checking, savings, and retirement/401(k) accounts as to who and how someone can access these funds.

— Keep a list of beneficiaries that is up to date for each account.

— Keep life insurance beneficiaries current.

— List who is responsible for or has access to the prepaid funeral/burial plan, including the burial facility.

— The POA, family member or trusted friend needs to know information about all current life insurance policies.

— The POA needs to know where all original documents are stored including: property deed(s), vehicle(s) and title(s), social security card, birth certificate, military service/discharge documents, and marriage, death and/or divorce certificates. The POA needs to know where all of these original documents are stored.

— The POA needs access to your current password sheet to access all online accounts and all digital devices (computer, cellphone, tablets, email accounts, pictures, etc.).

— For your bank safety deposit box, have a trusted family member or friend listed as an authorized person to access this box and know where the key is located. — Mary L., via email

Mary, thank you for this important list. It’s so easy to lose paperwork if it’s not kept in a safe place. I would also suggest that people have an extra copy of their birth certificate kept in two different locations at home.

I prefer to keep my documents in a safety deposit box at the bank, but many people keep all their paperwork in a filing cabinet that can be locked. Either way is really a safe place to store private information. — Heloise

LEARN TO SWIM

Dear Heloise: I have been reading letters in your column about the importance of children learning how to swim.

I am 82 now, but back in the 1950s, my parents signed up my sister and me for swimming lessons, even though we had to drive to the next little town in Central Nebraska. — Marvin T., York, Nebraska

Marvin, this was a very kind thing your parents did for you and your sister. You never know when one day you’ll need to know how to swim or how to save another person from drowning. Swimming is also a good way to get some exercise on a nice, sunny day. — Heloise

GIVING THE TOAST

Dear Heloise: My future brother-in-law has asked to make a toast at our wedding, and I want to turn him down gently. He’s not a terrible person, but his idea of humor isn’t usually funny. In fact, it’s often insulting, especially after he’s had a couple of drinks.

My fiance and I don’t want to hurt his feelings, but we would rather do just that than have him tell some of his off-color stories or jokes. Got any hints to help us avoid a bad situation at an important event? — Ellen H., Glenview, Illinois

Ellen, ask him to either write out his toast first and let your fiance review it, or better yet, let him do a presentation in front of the both of you as a dry run before the wedding. If he refuses, tell him he may not make a toast and, as kindly as possible, tell him why. — Heloise

LIST OF MEDICATIONS

Dear Heloise: I have a great tip to share: List all of your medications with the dosage and frequency on the notes app on your iPhone. It’s easy to edit and easy to provide at the doctor’s office. — Tom S., Bay Village, Ohio