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American Red Cross Issues Heat Safety Tips

American Red Cross Issues Heat Safety Tips in Connecticut:

See the Red Cross tips below and also check out the March of Dimes 'what moms and moms-to-be need to know' page on dealing with the heat.

Red Cross Issues Heat Safety Tips in CT 7-16-13

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Fidelco veterinarian shares 'Dos and Don't of canine heat stroke'

In a release, a veterinarian at the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation has important safety reminders for dog owners:

Dr. Mary Craig, a Fidelco board member and founder of Gentle Goodbye Veterinary Hospice, below shares the “dos and donts” of canine heat stroke.

Know the signs and risks of heat stroke:
Symptoms include panting, increased heart rate, lethargy, drooling, fever, vomiting and seizures. Heat stroke can cause permanent organ damage and death. Dogs at elevated risk include breeds with shorter noses such as Pugs and Bulldogs; dogs that are overweight or dealing with heart or lung disease; and puppies and senior dogs.

What to DO:

If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, move him or her to shaded and cool environment, and direct a fan on your dog. Begin to cool the body by placing cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, in the armpits, and in the groin region. You may also wet the ear flaps and paws with cool water. Directing a fan on these wetted areas will help to speed evaporative cooling. Transport to the closest veterinary facility immediately.

What NOT to do:
DO NOT use cold water or ice for cooling.
DO NOT attempt to force water into your pet’s mouth, but you may have fresh cool water ready to offer should your pet be alert and show an interest in drinking.
DO NOT leave your pet unattended for any length of time.

DO NOT EVER leave any animal in a hot car for any reason or any length of time under any circumstances. 

Editor's note: All information and the photo in this post were contributed. With special thanks to Heidi Voight. Click one of the buttons below to share it.

Learn about Panama at the New Haven Public Library

NEW HAVEN -  In a release, the New Haven Public Library invites "armchair travelers" to "meander down the canals and byways of the country of Panama" at 6 p.m. July 17, at the ,ibrary, 133 Elm St.
At the event, Victoria Navin "will share some history of Panama along with her travel experiences and photographs that capture highlights of this southernmost country of Central America," the release says. "Panama is home to the Panama Canal, one of the man-made wonders of the world, and its 3.5 million residents enjoy the region’s fastest growing economy."
Navin will speak about Panama’s colonial architecture, tropical landscape, diverse population and modern, first-world infrastructure, the release says,
This program is free and open to the public.
For more information call the library at 203-946-8835.

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Connecticut: water quality report from DEEP

In a release, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protections says: "Rocky Neck East Side Beach Closed and Mashamoquet Brook State Park Open"

Read more here: 
 

Today_Water Report 07-11-13

Connecticut: All Beaches Open for the Holiday Weekend

DEEP Water Quality Report: All Connecticut beaches open for weekend 

Water Quality Report 07-03-13

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection steps up underage enforcement

HARTFORD –The state Department of Consumer Protection Liquor Control Division is "stepping up enforcement activities, looking for retailers that would sell alcoholic beverages to persons under the legal age of 21, according to a release.

The department is concerned about "long holiday weekends, a broad array of sold-out concerts and outdoor events, and the arrival of college students home for the summer," the release said.

“There are too many motor vehicle accidents involving youth who have been drinking and too many young people being brought to emergency departments -- often unconscious -- due to alcohol over-consumption,” Commissioner William Rubenstein said, also in the release. “Binge drinking among young people continues to be a serious problem; kids are obviously buying it somewhere or someone is buying it for them. Parents and family members who provide alcohol to someone under age 21 not only break the law, but also contribute to a problem that frequently ends in death for someone’s son or daughter, just about every weekend. Our role is to make it difficult for teens to buy liquor in Connecticut, but parents, families and friends need to do all they can to discourage underage drinking – both at home and away from home.”

The "vast majority of liquor permit holders understand the law and don’t sell to minors," Rubenstein said, also in the release. "However, through the Department’s undercover compliance checks, when a permit holder is found breaking the law, there are consequences."

“Last year, working with our law enforcement partners and volunteer youth provided by the Governor’s Prevention Partnership, we conducted 800 compliance checks throughout the state – restaurants, bars, package stores, and grocery stores,” Rubenstein said. “The result was 270 liquor permits being temporarily suspended for liquor law violations, most involving the sale of alcoholic liquor or beverages to minors. On top of suspensions, we assessed fines of approximately $1.35 million. Permittees who don’t want to lose days of operation and the revenue it generates should think carefully about making sure they and their employees are paying close attention to whom they are selling.”

State Liquor Control agents  provided regulatory enforcement at two large-scale concert performances at the Comcast Theatre, and at the first two Alive at 5 concerts in Stamford, Rubenstein said, also in the release.

“We plan to be present at other entertainment venues throughout the summer, while stepping up our routine compliance checks as well,” he said. “We can all do more to prevent the needless tragedies related to underage drinking. I encourage parents to take important first steps this Fourth of July holiday by visiting www.SetTheRules.org and following up with a serious talk with their teens.”

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Celebrate the Erector Set and the amazing A.C. Gilbert in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - In honor of the 100^th Anniversary of A.C. Gilbert’s patent for the Erector Set, the New Haven Museum will present a drop-in family program from 1 to 3 p.m.  July 7, at 114 Whitney Ave.

"Using sidewalk chalk on the Museum’s plaza, children and families are invited to design structures based on ones built with Erector Sets and learn more about Gilbert’s company in New Haven," a release said. "There will also be contemporary Erector Sets on hand for children and families to test and create their designs."

Admission is free and open to the public. Donations are welcomed. 

For more information, contact the Museum at (203) 562-4183 ext. 11 or education@newhavenmuseum.org. 

The Museum is also open to the public free of charge from 1 to 4 pm on July 7, the release said.

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President Obama signs executive order to combat wildlife trafficking

Executive Order signed by the President Obama today regarding efforts to combat wildlife trafficking:

Read it here (unedited): 

2013 wildlife.eo.Rel