DEAR HELOISE: I have a couple of hints to suggest for your column:

�–� I rubber band my accesible parking placard to my sun visor so that when I park in a parking space, I just have to pull down the visor to expose the parking sign. It is very visible, and I do not have to hang it back up on the rearview mirror when I vacate the parking lot. I observe other drivers leave their permit hanging on their mirror while driving. This is against the law in our state! I have suggested this to several friends and family members, and they like my idea as well.

�–� My wife and I prefer to place our wills and funeral instructions in our bank safety deposit box. Our co-personal representatives have access to the pass keys. In my opinion, this is more secure than having a safe in our home since most are not fireproof! Our funeral director also has a copy of our instructions.

— Ken F., in Nebraska

DEAR HELOISE: I’m writing about a reader’s advice that you printed regarding freshening a teddy bear. The writer suggested a used dryer sheet that was sprayed with air freshener. I would not recommend this hint! The chemicals in the air freshener and dryer sheets are not healthy for a child to ingest or inhale up close.

There must be a better way, such as lightly misting the bear with water and air-drying it outside on a spring day.

— Trish, in Buffalo,

New York

Trish, my personal favorite is washing the toy by hand or on a gentle cycle in the washing machine. I wash dog toys this way and usually let them dry overnight. The toy is clean, and if they are not dry by morning, I toss them in the dryer for about 15 minutes.

While a number of toy manufactures suggest using a dryer sheet, I prefer a completely clean toy whenever possible.

— Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: Like many older adults, I now have a lot of prescription medications. The print on the labels is often small and difficult to read, especially without glasses. So, I take a colorful marker, and in big letters, I write the first two letters of the name on the tops of each prescription bottle.

This has worked really well for me; if the first two letters happen to be the same on different meds, I go to three. The trick is to make the letters big and clear. If this is a challenge for you, ask for help from someone with steady hands and good eyesight!

— Ann L.,

A Loyal Reader,

in Buffalo, New York