Dec 29, 2015 3 min read

Dear Heloise: I read your column in the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal and love it. My husband is upset because I keep bleach and ammonia in the same cupboard. He says that it is a fire hazard. Is that right? — Sue S., via email

Sue, go with your husband on this. The two sitting side by side should not cause a fire, but if they combined, it could be hazardous. The issue is more about them accidentally mixing, or if one leaked, got knocked over, etc. Combined, they become a toxic gas (chlorine gas) that is dangerous and can be fatal.

To be safe, keep them in separate cabinets, or at least not next to each other. — Heloise

HELOISE’S HOT COCOA

Dear Heloise: It’s the time of year for hot drinks. I love your cocoa mix, but when I went to make some, I could not find my recipe. Please reprint it! — Sally D. in Colorado

My Heloise Cocoa Mix is a favorite, and nothing tastes better on a cold winter’s day. You need to gather the following:

1 cup of powdered sugar

1/4 cup of cocoa

A dash of salt

2 cups of powdered milk

Mix all the ingredients in an airtight container. When ready to use, place approximately 4 tablespoons (more or less for your taste) into a cup with 8 ounces of boiling water. Add mini marshmallows or whipped cream to finish. If you’d like more of my favorite recipes, order my All-Time Favorite Recipes pamphlet! Go online to www.Heloise.com, or send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (71 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Recipes, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Add 1 tablespoon of malted milk powder for creamier hot chocolate! — Heloise

SAFE DRINKING

Dear Heloise: I carry a package of bendy straws (with an accordion section) in my glove box and use them when I have a soft drink while driving. You can hold the can level (less chance of spilling), and you don’t need to worry whether the can is in the right spot. It’s safer because you don’t need to tip the can in front of your face. — Chris W., Haiku, Maui, Hawaii

Chris, it’s all about safety! Thanks for writing. — Mahalo, Heloise

SHOPPING HINT

Dear Heloise: Frustrated by losing small objects, such as lipsticks, pens, nail polish, etc., from shopping carts? Then try this: I first stop at the produce department and pick up a clear plastic bag available for produce. I put the small objects in the bag, and ask the cashier to put them back in the bag after scanning and then tie the top. — F.D. in Florida

HOUSEGUESTS

Dear Heloise: Recently, when getting ready for houseguests, I wanted to provide a few drawers for them in the dressers. The available drawers were not in a row, or even in the same piece of furniture. To keep the confusion down, I tied a ribbon on the handle of each available drawer so they could easily identify “their” spaces. — Helen S., Friendswood, Texas