Category Archives: Summer

Keeping Warm in a Chilly Office

cold-officeTo a majority of people, an air conditioned office is viewed as a welcome refuge from the hot, muggy midsummer temperatures that are currently afflicting most of the country. But, as the old adage says, you can have too much of a good thing, and this applies as much to artificially cooled workspaces as to anything else. So if the thermostat in your building is set to a point where it’s causing you more discomfort than relief, here are a few strategies for keeping warm in that chilly office:

Dress for your work environment

Even if the weather forecast calls for temperatures in the high-90s, you should still pack a jacket, sweater, cardigan, wrap, or shawl to combat the cold that you know is awaiting you at work. When you get in the habit of dressing for the office temperature instead of the outdoor temperature, you’ll naturally want to avoid bare legs (think pantsuits instead of skirts), short-sleeved tops, and other fashion choices that might leave you feeling frosty.

Get up and move around

Sitting quietly at your desk for long periods of time is the best way to ensure that the air conditioned chill goes straight to your bones. Counteract this effect by getting up at least once an hour to take a quick lap around the office, walk up and down a couple flights of stairs, or do some stretches to get your heart pumping and blood circulating. You can even go outside for a few minutes to let the summer sunshine warm you up.

Break out the winter gear

If sweaters and stretching aren’t enough to stop the shivering, don’t be afraid to break out some winter gear. For example, our CozyWinters electric throws and electric travel blankets are not only toasty warm, but also compact enough to store in a desk drawer when not in use, making them ideal for the office. And we’ve seen plenty of folks using space heaters, fingerless gloves, and wearable blankets throughout July and August to help fight the office chill.

Don’t let an overly air conditioned office have a negative impact on your comfort and productivity this summer. Use these strategies and your favorite CozyWinters products to stay warm all year round.

Follow the Snow

Most people can’t wait for winter to give way to the warmth of spring and summer, but skiers and snowboarders are a different breed. They exult in the cold and snow, and usually can’t make it through an entire off-season without indulging in their favorite activity at least one more time.

Of course the challenge is finding a suitable venue for skiing or snowboarding when temperatures are in the high-90s across most of the country. Fortunately, if you’ve got the cash and vacation time, you can follow the snow to these amazing locales:

North America

The two best places for summer skiing in North America are Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada, and Palmer Glacier on Mount Hood in Oregon. Whistler Blackcomb, which is suitable for intermediate and advanced skill levels, offers glacier skiing from June to August, while Palmer Glacier is open to the public from May to September.

follow the snow summer skiing portillo chile resortSouth America

Summer in the Northern Hemisphere means winter in the Southern Hemisphere, so for a true cold-weather snow experience, pack up your SporTube snowboard case and head south of the equator.

There are plenty of major ski resorts in South America to choose from, but the most popular ones include Portillo and La Parva in Chile and Bariloche and Cerro Bayo in Argentina. These resorts run the gamut in terms of powder quality, terrain, and off-piste options, and also vary in their degree of family-friendliness and cost, so do your research before you go.

Europe

The Alps are a terrific downhill skiing and snowboarding destination all year round, and can be accessed via world-class resorts in Switzerland, Austria, France, and Italy. Norway also offers exciting winter sport opportunities, so don’t leave Scandinavia off your list of locations to investigate.

The Dangers of Leaving Pets in Hot Cars

hot carIt’s natural to want to take your dog or cat with you when you go on a long road trip, spend a day at the beach, or simply run errands around town. After all, pets are an important part of the family, and it wouldn’t be the same to do these things without them.

However, driving with a pet can lead to some dangerous situations, particularly when you have to enter a store, restaurant, or other establishment where animals are not allowed. You may be tempted to just crack the windows and take care of your business while Fido hangs out in the car, but this is an extremely risky move that should be avoided when the weather warms up. Consider the following:

  • Even with the windows cracked, it takes mere minutes for the temperature inside a parked vehicle to surpass 100 degrees on an 85-degree day.
  • Your parked car is not safer for your pet just because you’ve had the air conditioner on recently. As soon as you turn the AC off to go inside, the interior temperature will immediately begin to rise.
  • While cooling pet products (such as the Hound Cooler Pet Bed) do provide comfort in hot conditions, they do not reduce the dangers of heat stroke or death under such extreme conditions as leaving your pet in a locked car. These products are meant to provide cooling in survivable conditions only, where there is sufficient air-flow for ventilation and preferably access to shade or cover.
  • You never know what might happen to delay you on your errand. Something you thought would take only a few minutes could suddenly end up taking twenty or more, causing your pet to suffer.

Despite the well-known dangers of leaving pets in parked vehicles in hot weather, thousands of owners do it every year – usually because they are merely not aware of the real risks. If you come across a dog or cat in obvious distress in a locked vehicle, please take action using one or more of the following suggestions:

  • If you witness someone begin to leave their dog in a locked car, offer to hold the dog on its leash outside the car while the owner completes their errand.
  • If the car is in a parking lot, you can ask customer service/the front desk of nearby buildings to make an announcement for the owner to return to their car.
  • You can call the local Humane enforcement, police, or animal control authorities (be ready to give the make, model, color, and license plate of the car).
  • If you do not know the number for local or specialized authorities, PETA recommends that you call 911 to report the offense and wait on the scene until responders arrive.
  • Be aware of any local, state, and federal laws that may outlaw “reasonable force” by civilians (such as breaking into a car to rescue a pet in distress) prior to attempting rescue.

It’s perfectly possible for you to enjoy car trips with pets in warm or hot weather. Just make sure you do so responsibly by never leaving a dog or cat alone in a parked vehicle. As a general rule, if you or a child would be uncomfortable or at risk due to the temperature, so would your pet.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe in the Water

The warm spring sun makes May an ideal month for getting out of the house with your dog to enjoy activities such as early morning jogs, Frisbee sessions at the park, and excursions to the beach, lake, or river.

While canine safety is not such an issue during park play or on-leash jogging, it is a major concern whenever water is involved. That’s because just like humans, not all dogs have equal swimming abilities or endurance levels. Plus, accidents and injuries are always a possibility, which is why you need to be prepared for anything. So before you head out on the water with your canine companion, read these tips about how to keep your dog safe:

  • Never let your dog play in the water unsupervised – keep him in sight at all times
  • Regardless of swimming ability, always use a canine life jacket (such as the Paws  Aboard model sold at CozyWinters) to protect against danger due to fear, cramps, exhaustion, or other problemsDog-Life-Jacket
  • Be aware of others nearby that may pose an unintentional risk to your pet – such as children, other dogs, or boats
  • Provide your dog with a shaded rest area and give him plenty of breaks throughout the day. If not swimming in fresh water, be sure to provide some to drink regularly
  • Use a doggy boat ladder, pool ramp, or similar product to give your pet a safe and easy way to exit the water by himself (available at CozyWinters)
  • Rinse your dog’s coat after a day in the water to remove any salt, chlorine, or other impurities that may cause discomfort or skin problems
  • Be sure to thoroughly dry your pet’s ears to prevent possible infection

One of the supreme joys of dog ownership is being able to spend quality time with your pet during your regular hobbies. If your plans for this spring and summer include frolicking in the water, keep the above safety tips in mind so you can protect your beloved canine companion from danger.