by Mary Matthews on 2015-07-13

With the warmer weather in full swing and residents taking to the outdoors, the city has offered a few tips to help keep residents and pets safe this summer. Pool safety is a large concern during the summer, and residents are encouraged to do the following: • Always watch your children when they are in or near a pool or spa. • Teach children basic water safety tips. • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid entrapment. • Have a portable telephone close by at all times when you and your family are using a pool or spa. • If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first. • Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors. • Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim. • Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly. • Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency. Pet Safety: Please take precautions to keep your family pet safe: • Microchip pets to ensure permanent identification and keep an ID tag on your pet in case he or she becomes lost. • Never leave a pet alone inside a vehicle. Even with windows cracked, temperatures rise quickly causing animals to die from heatstroke. • Exercise your pet in the early morning hours when temperatures are cooler. • Provide outdoor pets with plenty of shade and access to a fresh supply of water at all times. • Avoid walking your pet on hot asphalt or concrete as the high temperatures will cause their body temperature to quickly rise and the hot surfaces can burn their paws. • Old and overweight pets should be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible especially during the hot time of the day as they are more likely to overheat.