Heloise

Dear Readers: Tonight is Christmas Eve, and I’m reminded of something I heard a wise man say many years ago: “You may not particularly like someone, but try to love them in the spirit of mankind.”

It’s at this special time of year that we seem to remember the turbulent times of the past 12 months. But we try to remain hopeful that one day, the whole world might stop all wars, practice tolerance, look for the good, and change whatever is bad. It’s a time to forgive, even if you can’t forget. It’s also a time to work toward a better world — a peaceful world that we can hand off to the next generation.

From all of us at Heloise Central, happy holidays and have a joyful new year! — Heloise

CALL THE UTILITY COMPANY

Dear Heloise: I wanted to write in about the idea of planting shrubberies. First, it is required by law that one must call to locate buried utilities before digging. Second, not all utilities are buried at a minimum depth. Some may only be placed a few inches below grade level. Third, this could actually be quite dangerous if it comes into contact with buried power lines or gas lines. — Glen P., via email

Glen, excellent advice. By planting trees in the correct areas of your yard, you might also avoid utility problems from the tree roots in the years to come. Most cities will not charge for someone to come out and locate the water lines, electrical lines, etc. This is a case of “better to be safe than sorry.” — Heloise

DIGGING DANGER

Dear Heloise: Hope you’re having a fantastic day! I was just catching up on your column– always a great read, by the way! I especially enjoyed it, but I wanted to gently offer a friendly clarification regarding some advice that Bob shared about digging.

Bob mentioned that you only really need to call 811 if you’re planning to dig a hole deeper than 24 inches. While I totally get where he might be coming from, this specific bit of info could actually be a little risky for folks, especially here in Illinois where I live.

You see, buried utility lines aren’t always tucked away super deep. For instance, it’s not uncommon at all for gas lines running to a home to be just a foot deep — sometimes even less! Imagine hitting one of these while you’re planting a small shrub, put-ting up a mailbox, or just trying to secure a fence post. Yikes!

This is why I always tell people that it’s a super smart idea to give 811 a quick ring before any digging project, no matter how small or shallow it seems. Think of them as your friendly neighborhood underground utility detectives! You just tell them what you’re planning to do, and they’ll figure out if they need to send someone out to mark these hidden lines. It’s a completely free service, and it really could save you a huge headache — or worse! Better to be safe than sorry, right?

Anyway, just wanted to share this little nugget of info. Keep up the fantastic work with your column. I always learn something new and genuinely look forward to it! — John M., via email

FLOSS PICKS

Dear Heloise: A recent reader commented that she washes her hands and uses hand sanitizer before flossing. I suggest that she look into using floss picks. These handy items have a small section of floss that is attached to a plastic handle. They greatly reduce how much time your hands are in your mouth. They can also be a substitute for a toothpick. — Dan O., via email

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise@Heloise.com