Dear Heloise: With climate change, there has been some intense storms and, of course, loss of electricity that comes with it. The best thing to do is to think about your safety and stock up on all the usual foods, a camp stove, batteries, an outdoor grill, etc. However, one thing I never see on the list of what to have on hand is solar yard lights.

Last year, we lost our electricity for a week. People asked me if I had a generator since I had light in the evening. I told them, “No, I just bring in the solar lights from my garden at night and take them out in the morning to recharge during the day.” Now almost everyone in our community has solar lights! — C.L., via email

A KITTY SAFE HAVEN

Dear Heloise: I have three cats and two Yorkies. The dogs were always stealing the cat food. Finally, I came up with the idea of placing their food and water bowls on a towel inside of the bathtub in the guest bathroom.

Once a week, I clean out the tub and put down a fresh kitchen towel under their bowls. The dogs are too small to jump into the bathtub, but my cats have no problem at all.

Sometimes, when the dogs want to play with a cat, but the cat wants a nap, I’ll find one or two cats napping in the bathtub next to their food. — J.F., in Michigan

CHOCOLATE CURLS

Dear Heloise: I love baking. In fact, I’ve won blue ribbons for my baking, but for a long time, I had trouble making chocolate curls. I tried a number of things, but the curls were usually so thin that they’d break when I tried to place them on top of a cake.

Finally, I tried a potato peeler, and it produced beautiful chocolate curls that didn’t break. Now I can put chocolate curls on anything I want! — R.V., in North Carolina

DISCOUNT DUDS

Dear Heloise: Nice clothing has gotten so expensive these days that I’ve begun shopping at local thrift stores and resale shops. You can pick up some real bargains, especially in the really posh areas of town. (Yes, even wealthy people resell clothing.)

However, I advise anyone who buys recycled clothing to have it dry-cleaned or washed before you put the garment on, no matter where you buy it. This way, you know for certain that it’s clean and safe to wear. — H.H., in New York

REDUCING FOOD WASTE

Dear Heloise: I used to put all the fresh vegetables in the crisper, but oftentimes they would rot because no one wanted to take the time to get them out and prepare them. So, I purchased an oval divided plastic-ware-covered container and filled it with ready-to-eat vegetables that I had cleaned and cut up.

I put in sliced peppers, carrots, cucumbers and radishes (they share a space), and red cabbage slices. On top, I place romaine lettuce leaves, which are easier to eat whole rather than chopped up. I restock this as needed until all of the vegetables are gone, then purchase more. We waste very few vegetables now.

I just put the container on the table, and we eat what we want off of it. Then it goes back in the fridge. It is very convenient — not to mention a thing of beauty with all the colors, shapes and textures. Also, it stays fresh for several days, and I always try to eat the more fragile peppers and cucumbers first.

Of course, I wash the container between refills. — C.B., via email