Dear Abby: Shedding light on window blinds to thwart prying eyes

DEAR ABBY:

"In the Dark in Texas" was wondering about the correct way to tilt blinds. Light coming in through a window should not be the deciding factor for which way the blinds close. Privacy should be of highest importance.

After years of living in apartments, I have learned the direction of a blind's slats should change depending on the location of the window.

If the window is on the ground floor, the blind should be closed slats up. Otherwise, people can see in from the floors above. This information is particularly useful in multistory neighborhoods and apartment complexes.

If, however, you are on an upper floor and the slats are up, anyone can see in from the ground floor. For that reason blinds on an upper floor should close slats down.

If you live in the middle, your best bet is curtains.

- Azaliah in Washington State

DEAR AZALIAH: Readers' views on this subject came from varying perspectives, but the general consensus was the same. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: It is common knowledge (I thought) that slats tilted up deflect both heat and light. Blinds tilted down let light in from above as well as heat in the summer and cold in the winter.

- Cooling Down in South Carolina