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Picture shows a safety sign on the dock next to a rocky beach on the lake.

Boating and Water Sports

30 Days of Preparing for Spring Storms and the Stinging Heat of Summer Day 30: Water Safety—Being Prepared for a Day at the Lake

There are an estimated 3 to 4 million lakes in the United States. One study even found that lake destinations were the number one spot for travel in 2012. This does not surprise me. Lakes offer plenty of recreational activities at an extremely low price. These natural bodies of water come with risks. Most drownings are due to unexpected exposure to the water. For children ages 1 to 4, drowning is the leading cause of death. Even adults who know how to swim are at risk for drowning. Most drownings are preventable. A day at the lake can be fun, safe and accident-free if you always follow these 15 safety tips.

Camping & Survival

Quick Prepper Tip: 10 First Aid Essentials

Preppers will tell you they practice prepping as a way to be prepared for what the future may hold. Of course none of us really know what tomorrow or even the next hour will bring. So it is probably wise to plan ahead at least a little bit. It does not matter if you are the type that plans for the end of the world scenario or someone who just wants to have a few essentials on hand in case of an emergency; having a basic first aid kit assembled and within reach is a good idea.

Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Spring Storms and the Stinging Heat of Summer DAY 26: Be Ready! National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 25-31

National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 25-31, which gives you plenty of time and no excuses not to be prepared. The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1, while the Eastern Pacific hurricane season starts May 15. Both seasons end on November 30. Hurricanes cause heavy rainfall, flooding, tornados, rip currents and high, damaging winds. Depending on the severity of the hurricane—measured in categories one to five on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale—city officials might make evacuation mandatory. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. When a hurricane watch or warning alert comes through your NOAA emergency weather alert radio, put your bug-out or bug-in plan in place. Whether you choose to leave or stay, you need a plan and supplies for both.

Picture shows a topless man laying face down, dripping with sweat in a hot, dry desert.

Camping & Survival

30 Days of Preparing for Spring Storms and the Stinging Heat of Summer Day 22: Heat Related Illnesses: Prevention and Treatment

Heat over exposure causes hyperthermia and in turn, heat-related illnesses. Hyperthermia is when our bodies cannot regulate our body temperature in extreme heat. This includes heat cramps, heat rash, heat fatigue, heat syncope, sunburn, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. Our bodies cool themselves when it is hot through sweating, but sometimes sweating is not enough. Sometimes, especially when it is very humid, our sweat does not evaporate fast enough and does not allow heat to escape. This is when we can suffer from a heat-related illness.

Picture shows a woman with her fist raised and a very angry look on her face.

Safety and Training

30 Days of Preparing for Spring Storms and the Stinging Heat of Summer Day 21: Keep Your Cool—When it Heats Up So Does Your Temper

The terms hotheaded and blood boiling may be more literal than you think. Numerous studies have shown that higher temperatures negatively affect our mood. Heat can make us irritable, impatient, physically uncomfortable, aggressive and even violent. In fact, violent assault numbers—intent to do physical harm against another person—rise during the hotter months. The hotter it gets, the more aggressive we feel. As responsible gun owners and carriers, it is imperative we remain cool, calm and collected.

Picture shows a white, orange and maroon vintage Hawaiian print button down shirt

Concealed Carry

30 Days of Preparing for Spring Storms and the Stinging Heat of Summer Day 19: Five Tips for Carrying a Gun in the Summer

It can be much easier to conceal in the winter when we were more layers and cover garments such as a sweaters, hoodies or jackets do not look suspicious. Even though we wear less in the summer, fortunately summer styles and fabrics are looser. Covering a pistol or a revolver doesn’t have to be complicated with these more casual styles. An untucked Hawaiian or Polo-style shirt and shorts for men and a long cotton maxi dress for women are commonplace during the hotter months. The following are five tips for carrying a gun during the dog days of summer: