It's a scorcher!!!

It's summertime and that means more outdoor activities in the heat. This summer has been unseasonably hot which can be very dangerous especially for children, the elderly and pets (okay, so just about the entire general population!!). While you don't need to curtail your activities, it is a good idea to take some precautions if you will be out in the sun for a prolonged amount of time. Here are some helpful ideas on how to stay cool and protect yourself (and others!) from the summer sun and heat:

• Try to take advantage of the early morning or late evening when planning outdoor activities or work outs.

• Wear loose-fitting clothes that are in a light color to keep your body cool.
• Use fans to circulate air to make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned home.
• Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer and grab one when going outside. As the ice melts, you will have a supply of cold water to enjoy!
• Drink plenty of water or sports drinks when engaging in outdoor activities to replenish the electrolytes in your body that are lost when perspiring.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol since they promote dehydration.
• Use products with mint or menthol. Body washes, lotions and body sprays refresh the skin and create a cooling sensation.
• Wear a hat to keep the sun off of your face.
• Drink chrysanthemum tea. The tea is said to have a cooling effect on the body.
• Eat spicy foods. Yep, you read that right! Foods that create warmth in the body enhance circulation and causes sweating that will cool you down.
  
• Dogs are less efficient at cooling themselves than people are. If your dog lives outdoors, consider bringing him indoors during the hotter times of day and be sure to provide a shaded area in your yard for him (like a dog house beneath a tree).
• Always use sunscreen. And don't forget to put sunscreen on your pets too! Short-haired dogs are susceptible to sunburn especially on the bridge of their noses, tips of their ears and belly area. May sound silly but it works and can save Fido from a lot of discomfort later on!
• Your dogs paws can get burnt on a hot sidewalk or asphalt driveway. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws. If the dog MUST go out, keep the walk very short and keep him in the grass if at all possible.

Hope those tips help to keep you and your entire family safe during the dog days of summer. Now, go grab a cold glass of lemonade and head for the nearest pool! Until next time, keep it clean!!

Happy 4th of July!!

Monday July 4th will mark the day that the original thirteen colonies declared independence from Great Britain during the American Revolution. The Declaration of Independence was signed on that day in 1776 and now, the rest is history! Families often celebrate Independence Day by hosting or attending a picnic or barbecue. Patriotic themed decor is generally colored red, white, and blue in keeping with the colors of the American flag. Communities across the country have parades and fireworks displays (although safety concerns have led many cities to cancel fireworks displays due to drought and excessively dry conditions this year) happen in the evening at places like parks, fairgrounds, or town squares.

A few fun facts about the 4th of July:

• In July 1776, the number of people living in the newly independent United States of America was 2.5 million.
• THIS 4th of July, the U.S. Census estimates that our nation now has approximately 311.7 million people.
• Thirty-five places have “eagle” in their names. The most populous one is Eagle Pass, Texas (26,248).
• One place with “patriot” in the name. Patriot, Ind. (209).
• Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle.
• Over $211 million has been spent on the importation of fireworks from China.
• The first Fourth of July party held at the White House was in 1801.
• The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal.

So there you have it, a few fun facts that you can use to dazzle all of your friends and family at those July 4th BBQ's you will be attending this weekend! Wishing you and yours a restful yet fun Independence Day weekend! And as always, keep it clean!