With the heat of Summer upon us; it is important to stay hydrated and watch out for the elderly, children, and pets. A few things that we  can do include keeping cool in order to avoid heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and the subsequent heat cramps that often forewarn us.
If you find yourself without air conditioning, and it's in the heat of the day, go to a place where air conditioning is publicly available, for example, go to your local library. You'll learn something, and you'll stay alive at the same time. Staying hydrated with a sports drink or water will help with the heat, as well but it s important to avoid sodas and alcohol because both will dehydrate instead of hydrate.
If you are outside, and need a break from the sun, find a shady place and don't forget to wear your sunscreen.
Lastly, don't forget about your much loved pets and elderly. Pets and the elderly need extra care during hotter days. Subsequently, be sure to check up on your elderly family members, especially if they live alone and do not have AC. As a pet lover, I also emphasize again to look out for your  pets, as even the pavement can be extremely hot on their paws.
A good rule of thumb; if it seems hot to you, it's probably too hot for them! So make sure to keep pets’ water bowls full so they can stay hydrated too.
Keep safe a have a great summer!

http://www.wect.com/story/32572715/tips-to-stay-cool-in-the-heat​

With the heat of Summer upon us and with vacations, summer camps, trips to the local swimming pool or watering hole; now is the time to make sure that your First Aid is stocked and easy to get too.
First question; Do you have a First Aid Kit at work that is accessible? Do you have a First Aid Kit at home that is easy to get to you for your spouse and kids? If not. Here are a few items that are "must haves" and are an awesome place to start to create your very own First Aid Kit. You can get these items at your local Dollar Store and put together a fully functioning kit for less than $20.00.

Adhesive tape
Elastic bandage
Adhesive bandages (Band-Aids
Adhesive gauze pads and non-adhesive pads
Analgesics
Antibiotic cream
Antacid
Antidiarrheal
Anti-itch cream
Cough and cold medications
Thermometer
Antihistamines

This is such a fun story so I thought I'd share. An adult male alligator at the Columbus, Ohio Zoo had been treated by veterinarians for respiratory disease. However, the reptile keepers noticed when they checked on him Saturday that the male alligator was unconscious and not breathing.
What the keepers did next, however, was certainly surprising to the nearby crowd of zoo-goers: alligator CPR. They began hand compression.  The zoo’s vice president of animal health, said alligator CPR consists of chest compression only, because that’s the most important component of CPR.

Unfortunately, the male gator was stable for about an hour before he again “declined,” two more rounds of CPR weren’t successful, and the animal died, leaving behind his female enclosure-mate.
Check out the link below.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2016/07/12/how-to-give-an-alligator-cpr-if-it-comes-to-that/

And remember to use these following safety precautions when using fireworks and celebrating with family and friends.

1.  Never give fireworks to small children
2. Always follow the instructions on the packaging
3. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution
4. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection
5. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud"
6. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets
7. Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials

Happy Fourth of July!