The 4th of July weekend is upon us, and NATS offices will be closed Monday, July 4th in observance of the national holiday.
That said, we thought we’d share a few tips* to help make yours a safe and healthy 4th of July.
- Make sure you’re using a clean grill: A dirty grill can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. After you are done grilling, do a quick clean up of any visible debris and food, then turn up the heat and let the grill burn off a bit.
- Keep hot food hot and cold food cold: Be sure you cook all of your food to the recommended temperature to destroy any harmful bacteria and keep things that should be refrigerated in a cooler over ice. If this is not possible, consider taking such items off the menu so that no one gets sick.
- Start an active tradition: Be it an annual family kickball tournament, neighborhood volleyball game, or a pre-dinner hike, an annual activity will be a welcome event to any July 4th celebration. Not only will it get everyone’s blood pumping (and put them in a good mood) but it will also give you stories to share for years to come!
- Skip sugary desserts: This is the season when tons of fresh fruit is available from the grocery, farmers markets, and fruit stands! Cut up strawberries and melon or grill peaches, pineapple, or bananas to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding unnecessary processed sugar.
And if you have pets, here are a couple of tips from the ASPCA and Trupanion on how to keep them safe and healthy this 4th of July, too.
- Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, who can become frightened or disoriented by the sound. Please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities, and opt instead to keep them safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered, and escape-proof area at home.
- At home, leave the television or radio on, or turn on a fan in a room to help sound-sensitive pets.
- Consider body wraps, pheromone diffusers, or calming collars to help relax your pet.
- Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements.
- Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets.
*courtesy of HealthFitnessRevolution.com.
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