Air & Water's Pet Pic Summer Contest!

What's that? You wanted another opportunity for a free fan and a chance to win a free NewAir AF-330 swamp cooler? Well, from now until 7/30/09 your wish is granted!

All you have to do to get your free Lakewood 1002 fan is:

- Write a blog entry titled "Pet Cooling" (excluding Myspace, Facebook or twitter blogs)

- Post up a picture of how your pet cools off (cute and creative pictures are a plus)

- Copy a simple code into your blog entry. If you need help, more detailed instructions are included on our contest page

- E-mail us at contest@air-n-water.com with a link to your blog and shipping information

- Wait for your free fan to come in the mail!

We will be posting your pictures on our contest page.

Also, at the end of the contest, every participant will be put into a drawing for a Free NewAir AF-330 Swamp Cooler!

To get you ready to think about pet cooling, here are a few tips to prevent heat stroke in dogs:

Don't Leave Your Pet in a Locked Car

It's common sense that leaving a pet in a locked car on a 100 degree day is very dangerous. Not many people know that seemingly mild days can also be a great danger to your pet. Remember, cars heat up fast, even when the windows are cracked.

Jogging

You may think that jogging during the summer with your dog is okay because they jog everyday and are in great shape, but your routine may need to be altered during the warmer months. Humans can alter the amount of clothing they wear and produce more sweat as temperatures rise. Dogs still have the same amount of hair and only sweat a small amount through their foot pads. It's better to jog during the early mornings or late evenings.

Housing

Does your dog stay outdoors for the most part? If so, doggie needs shade and fresh water access at all times. If you are living in a warm climate, it's good to hose your dog down often as well to provide extra cooling.

Signs of Heat Stroke

- A body temperature of 104-110 degrees – Excessive panting – Dark or bright red tongue and gums – Staggering – Stupor – Seizures – Bloody diarrhea – Vomiting – Coma – Death

Dogs with an Increased Risk of Heat Stroke

- Brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs and pugs)

- Large heavy-coated breeds

- Dogs with heart or respiratory problems

If You Suspect that Your Dog Has Heat Stroke

- Seek veterinary attention immediately

- Use cool water (not ice water) to cool pet

- Do not aid cooling below 103 degrees (it is possible for dogs to be too cool)

- Offer ice cubes for your dog to lick

- Even if your pet seems okay, still bring to the vet. Internal organs are affected by excess heat and a complex blood problem can be a secondary complication to heat stroke

Electric Fans: Ways to Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant under one year of age. It isn't any one illness or disease, but a diagnosis that's given when a child under a year old dies suddenly and an exact cause can't be found after a complete medical and legal investigation. The complete investigation includes an autopsy, examination of the death scene, and a review of the symptoms or illnesses the infant had prior to dying including any other pertinent medical history. SIDS is very devastating for families because it can happen without warning.

SIDS most commonly occurs during cold weather months to infants between the ages of 2-4 months, with 90 percent of cases in infants under 6 months. This syndrome kills about 2,500 infants annually in the United States and is the leading cause of death for babies between 1 month and 1 year old. SIDS is also known as crib death because it happens mostly during sleep and between the hours of 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. SIDS does not only occur at night, though. 20 percent of SIDS deaths happen in childcare settings. The incidence of SIDS has decreased dramatically in recent years. There is no 100 percent way to prevent SIDS but there are steps you can take to reduce an infant's risk of SIDS.

The Back to Sleep campaign informs parents to put their infants to sleep on their backs and not on their sides or stomachs. An infant's risk of SIDS has been found to be 1.7 to 12.9 percent higher if sleeping on the stomach instead of the back. Betty McEntire, the executive director of the American SIDS Institute, warns believes that when a baby sleeps on the stomach, overheating is more likely, pauses in breathing can happen and the baby can re-breathe the air he has just exhaled, which can raise carbon dioxide levels. Also, if a baby is used to sleeping on his back and is placed to sleep on his tummy, studies have shown that the risk of SIDS rises significantly. It is not safe for a baby to sleep on his/her side either because it can roll over onto the stomach. The baby should never be put on a waterbed, bean bag or soft blanket alone. Never uses a soft blanket that can cover his face and cause choking. It is important to make sure daycare personnel and babysitters know these safety procedures as well.

Another risk factor for SIDS is thermal stress or being overheated. An infant should always be provided a comfortable room temperature that isn't too warm or hot. Excessive bedclothes, covering the head and too much bundling should all be avoided. Exposure to second hand smoke is also a risk factor. It is probably not enough to just smoke outside of the house, either. Of course, smoking during pregnancy should be avoided as well because it is another risk factor for SIDS.

A study published in 2007 recognizes a connection between hearing ability and SIDS. A pediatric anesthesiologist named Daniel D. Rubens at Seattle Children's Hospital analyzed the results of newborn hearing tests. He found that babies who were struck by SIDS had consistently tested lower on the inner ear function of the right ear than babies who didn't die of SIDS. Healthy infants usually test stronger in the right ear than the left. The results of this study suggest that there are new areas of research and possible identifying factors for babies that are at a higher risk for SIDS.

There was another study that found that the use of electric fans in a baby's nursery decreases the risk of SIDS. The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Ca studied 185 babies who died from SIDS in 11 California counties between May 1, 1997 and April 30, 2000 in comparison to 312 normal infants from similar socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds living in the same counties. The mothers were asked several questions about fan use, pacifier use, room location, sleep surface, the type of covers over the baby, bedding under the infant, room temperature and whether a window was open. It was found that using a fan cut the risk of SIDS by 72 percent. Using a fan in a room with a temperature higher than 69 degrees Fahrenheit is associated with a decreased risk of SIDS compared with no fan use.

Propane Safety Tips

First identified as a volatile organic compound in gasoline by Dr. Water O. Snelling in 1910, propane has been widely used as a major fuel source since the 1930’s. Millions worldwide depend on propane to make their lives more comfortable, and because it is clean, reliable, affordable, and relatively safe, propane is widely used in home appliances such as cook tops, dryers, fireplaces, garage heaters, and patio heaters.

According to the Propane Education and Research Council, because the government is now enacting laws to bring forth a 20 percent reduction in gasoline consumption, propane is widely considered an efficient and cost-effective alternative fuel source. In fact, the Council notes that increasing the use of this affordable fuel in fleets by just 10 percent could displace over one million gallons of gasoline by 2017.

In terms of using propane as a home heating fuel, the portability of propane-fueled heaters makes them ideal for both garage and patio heating, as they can be moved from one place to the next with minimal trouble. However, like any type of fuel, propane gas is highly combustible, and when produced, it is both odorless and colorless. Therefore, for safety reasons, chemical odorants such as ethyl mercaptan are added to the fuel so that in the case of a leak, the gas can be detected by its strong, distinct smell.

However, at times, these odorants may not be enough to warn a user of a propane leakage, as colds, allergies, smoke, or alcohol can impair one’s ability to detect odors. Strong, competing odors may also mask the smell of escaping propane, and exposure to certain materials such as those used in masonry may lessen the effectiveness of the odorant. As well, continued exposure to propane can cause one to get used to the odor and fail to detect its presence, and because propane gas is heavier than air, floor-level leaks are especially difficult to detect.

With that in mind, if you have propane appliance, follow these steps to both recognize and prevent a propane leak in your home:

1. Be aware of what propane smells like. Many propane retailers offer pamphlets with “scratch and sniff” cards that allow you and your family members to recognize the smell. Also be sure to invest in a propane leak detector, which is similar to a carbon monoxide detector, for even more protection.

2. Always be sure of where gas service lines are located, especially in outdoor areas such as yards and patios.

3. If you smell a propane leak, evacuate everyone from the building immediately, and call your local propane deal. Never remain in the building or use the phone and light switches in an attempt to determine the source of the leak yourself.

4. If you suspect that your propane appliance controls may have gotten wet due to rain or flooding (as in the case of outdoor, propane-fueled patio heaters), immediately have a trained technician inspect your equipment.

Safe Fireplace Tips

Fireplaces are very popular because they provide heat and add to a home’s decor. The fireplace can be considered the age-old heart of the homestead, as families and friends often gather around fireplaces for conversation and bonding. However, fireplaces are accountable for a large number of residential fires every year, and because fireplaces use open flames, they can be one of the biggest fire hazards in your home. If your home has a fireplace, keep these precautions in mind for safe fireplace operation:

-Keep a fire extinguisher handy and never leave a fire unattended. Never use charcoal in your fireplace, as doing so can produce deadly carbon monoxide, and do not use gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid to start a fire. Burn only seasoned, dry hardwood, and use long-stemmed matches.
-Enclosing a fireplace’s opening with glass doors or a sturdy screen in order to protect against sparks. Also, never close the flue while a fire is still smoldering.
-Keep flammable objects such as holiday decorations, newspapers, carpets, drapes, and rugs away from the fireplace.
-Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly, as they can greatly increase the likelihood you’ll survive a fire. Test smoke detectors monthly, and replace the batteries once a year.
-To prevent chimney fires, protect the top of your chimney with a guard that keeps out birds and small animals, and keeps in sparks that could ignite your roof.
-Plan and regularly conduct family fire drills.

If a fire does break out, get out of the house immediately and call the fire department at a neighbor's house or with your cellular phone. Unfortunately, fumes often overcome most victims long before flames reach them, and if you must escape smoke, get down and crawl low under the smoke, keeping your head about 12-24 inches off the floor.

For fireplace alternatives, try an electric fireplace heater such as the NewAir AH-510E. These types of heaters use electricity, and are often inexpensive to both purchase and operate, while at the same time, providing decorative warmth. No smoke is emitted and no ashes are dispersed, making electric fireplace heaters attractive, convenient, and safe.

Safe Space Heating Tips

Portable electric space heaters are extremely popular during the cooler months as supplemental heating sources. Although space heaters manufactured after 1991 include many safety features such as tip-over switches and indicator lights, improper use of a space heater can still pose as a fire hazard. Thankfully, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has published a useful guide with suggestions to ensure safe operation of a space heater. Here are a few highlights:

1. In order to keep children, pets, and clothing away the heat source, purchase a space heater with a guard around the heating element.
2. Look for a heater that has been tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Heaters that have been tested by such organizations are required to meet stringent safety standards.
3. Place heaters on level, hard ground and away from debris or flammable liquids.
4. Never leave a space heater unattended. This is especially important for space heaters which use fuel, as dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can accumulate.
5. Heaters should be placed at least three feet away from objects such as bedding, drapes, and furniture. Do not place heaters where towels or other objects could fall on the heater and start a fire.
6. Never use heaters to dry clothes or shoes.
7. Have annual safety checks on all home heating equipment. Do not attempt to repair, adjust, or replace parts in the heater yourself.