FUSES

Fuses on your electrical wiring act in the same capacity as a safety valve on a steam boiler.  Whenever there is an overload on the circuit or a short circuit these fuses blow and relieve the strain on your wiring.

When in doubt or when in need of suggestions, ’phone the Sales Department of your Lighting Company.

HOUSEHOLD HELPS

Look in the Index for the principal word of the article about which you desire information.  For instance, “To Open Fruit Jars”, look under “Fruit Jars”

IN THE KITCHEN

Use Sand Soap to Sharpen the Food Chopper—­If the knives of your food chopper become black and dull, run a piece of sand soap, or scouring brick, through the chopper as you would a potato.  It will brighten and sharpen the knives and they will cut like new.  Use pulverized sand soap or the scouring brick with which you scour.

Kerosene for Water Bugs—­A small quantity of kerosene poured down the drain pipe occasionally will stop annoyance from this pest.

To Prevent a Glass from Breaking when pouring hot water in it, first put a spoon in the glass.  This method can also be used when pouring hot soup or any hot liquid in any fragile receptacle.

When Butter is Too Hard to spread easily, turn a heated bowl upside down over the butter dish for a few minutes.  This will thoroughly soften the butter without melting it.

To Open Fruit Jars—­Strips of emery board, about one inch wide and eight inches or so long, will be found useful to loosen obstinate fruit jar tops.  Just place the strip around the edge of the top, and give it a twist.

To Keep Refrigerator Sweet—­A lump of charcoal should be placed in the refrigerator to keep it sweet.  When putting your best tea or coffee urn away, drop a small piece of charcoal in it and prop the lid open with a toothpick.

Currycomb for Scaling Fish—­A currycomb is better than a knife for scaling fish, as it protects the hands.

Cornpopper for Toasting Bread—­The cornpopper can be used for toasting odds and ends of stale bread which would otherwise be wasted.

To Prevent Stains Under the Nails—­Dip the ends of the fingers in melted tallow before beginning a task which is likely to stain them.

To Remove Stains from the Hands, rub them with a piece of lemon.

Starch to Prevent Chapped Hands—­Use starch which is ground fine to prevent chapped hands.  Every time the hands are washed and rinsed thoroughly, wipe them off, and, while they are yet damp, rub a pinch of starch over their entire surface.  Chapping is then not likely to occur.

Wisp Brush for Greasy Pans and Kettles—­A small wisp brush is better for cleaning greasy pans and kettles than the string mop you use for the dishes.  You can buy them two for five cents.  A little soap powder sprinkled on them makes a fine suds for the tinware and cooking utensils.