SayEducate

The 4th of July holiday is one of the most favorite summer celebrations for young and old alike. As our nation prepares to celebrate its 233rd birthday, Americans are purchasing hot dogs, slaw, chips, soda and of course, entertainment in the form of fireworks. In some states fireworks are illegal while virtually every state permits sparklers, caps and other celebratory devices with small amounts of gunpowder. But even as we prepare to celebrate, there are some members of the family who dread Independence Day – and that would be family pets who are sensitive to loud noises and bright lights.

Helpful Tips For Family Pets

Annually, the North Shore Animal League America which is the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, offers important guidelines to ensure that your pets are safe even as you celebrate:

Never take your pets to a fireworks display: Fireworks displays can be great fun, but not for your pets. The loud noises and bright lights can terrify an animal. Even the best-behaved dog may react with fear and try to flee from the scene, which could lead him into traffic or get him lost.

Give your pets a safe and quiet retreat: Fourth of July festivities can frighten an animal, so it’s important to provide a safe and quiet place to relax. Whether you secure a room of the house or blanketed crate, they should have someplace “den-like” in which to retreat. Draw the curtains to block out the lightshow, and try putting the TV or radio on at a low volume as a distraction or as company for them if you go out. Make sure to KEEP THEM INSIDE for their protection.

Create a problem-free environment: If you decide to go out and leave your pets at home, it’s wise to pet-proof your home. A nervous animal can become destructive, so it’s best to clear the area of anything he may ingest or hurt himself on if he becomes frantic or nervous. If you know your pet doesn’t react to fireworks well, try not to leave him unattended. Make sure windows and doors are secured in case they try to “break-out.” If your pet has extreme fear of fireworks, you may want to consult with your vet for some relaxation guidelines.

Monitor what your pet eats and drinks: Many foods and beverages are harmful to pets, and guests may not be aware of this. It is also difficult to monitor how much your pets are eating in a social setting. So to avoid illness, it’s best to let everyone know that party fare is off-limits for your animals.

Use distraction techniques: If you are home with your pet and he is exhibiting nervous behavior like whimpering or pacing, try distracting him with his favorite toys, games or snacks. Too much coddling may make your pet suspect that there is something to be afraid of.

Keep your pet cool and hydrated: Fourth of July can be a scorcher. It can take only minutes for heat exhaustion to set in, so be sure to keep your pet’s environment well ventilated and cool. Leave plenty of fresh, cool water for them to drink. NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A HOT CAR. Imagine being trapped in a hot car in a fur coat. Even with the windows cracked, your pet can overheat and become ill or even die.

Make sure your pet is identifiable: In the event that your pet runs off, it’s imperative to make sure that his collar is on with his identification tags attached. Secure the collar so that your pet can’t squeeze out if it. You should be able to fit two fingers underneath the collar so that it’s roomy enough for comfort and snug enough for safety. If your pet runs off, you want to ensure his identification and a means to contact you for his safe return.

Watch out for Independence Day debris: When you let your pets out or take them for walks the day after, remember that the streets and your yard might be littered with firework debris. To your pets, these may seem like tasty treats or fun things to nibble on. Make a point to clean up before letting your companions out where they can rummage through potentially harmful debris.

Enjoy The 4th!

So while you’re having your fun check up on your pets to make sure that your celebration isn’t causing them undue harm. What makes for fun for the human members of your family can send your four-legged friends scurrying for cover.

Photo Credit — Jarsem

Source: North Shore Animal League America

Adv. — For additional home improvement or garden enhancement ideas, please visit LetsRenovate.com to learn more.  Summer is an excellent time of the year to tackle important projects, allowing you to enjoy longer days to get all of your work done.  For major projects, visit YourEquity.com to learn how you can finance your renovations.

Tags: 4th of July, cats, dogs, Independence Day, North Shore Animal League, pet care, pet safety, pets

A Mintel study reveals vacationers are embracing the practical while eschewing the expensive.

Five star vacations are a thing of the past. At least that is the conclusion of a recent Mintel survey which revealed that vacationers this year are more likely to visit with family members and take road trips then they are to head off to the islands or visit some other exotic destination. As the Independence holiday weekend approaches, travelers are hitting the road instead of flying away, reversing a pattern that seemed to take hold when the economy was humming along.

Getting Away, Paying Less

Mintel’s survey revealed that people are still getting away, but they’re looking for ways to save money including staying with friends and family members while away from home, staying closer to home, taking shorter trips and relying upon cheaper forms of transportation. The latter category, transportation, means that many travelers believe driving the family car is their best mode to help them “get there” while cutting back on air travel.

“The recession is undoubtedly making more Americans shop aggressively for travel deals and cut corners,” states Chris Haack, senior analyst at Mintel. “As people try to save money, we see a rising trend towards simpler, more ‘homespun’ vacations. We’ve even seen an increase in zoo and local theme park attendance. People can justify shorter trips with fewer excesses, as long as they still have the opportunity to relax and have fun.”

Simple Stays Seem Important

Most vacationers have cited “rest and relaxation” as their chief reason for getting away. Mintel discovered that having a “high standard of accommodation and facilities” as not being a significant requirement as they travel, perhaps underscoring being satisfied with whatever arrangements they have while traveling as being a priority.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the Mintel survey was this particular revelation – 40% of those surveyed didn’t travel domestically, citing financial reasons for staying put.

Source: Mintel International

Adv. – Are you planning to hit the road this summer? One of the biggest expenses you’ll have are your hotel stays followed by visits to historical or amusement sites, food, fuel and souvenirs. You can save money on your accommodations if you shop around. Why not let SayFunTravel.com help you find the perfect place to stay at a reasonable price?

Tags: airfare, flights, hotel stay, Independence Day, Mintel, travel, vacations

SayEducate has been keeping tabs on the “cash for clunkers” legislation as it was being debated in Congress. For the past several months members of the House and the Senate have been working on a bill whereby consumers might be able to turn their older vehicles in for scrappage, receiving a federal credit in exchange for buying a new car.

Well, a bill was passed by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Obama last week. Though certain details still must be hammered out, the “Car Allowance Rebate System” (or CARS) program as it is called will kick in no later than July 23rd, giving consumers an unusual and limited time opportunity to save money on their new car purchase.

Not every consumer will be eligible to participate in the CARS program for several reasons: only one billion dollars was set aside for the program which means at $3500 to $4500 a pop, 250,000 new cars will be covered. The program is scheduled to last until November 1st or when funds dry up, with the likelihood that happening much sooner being great.

Another thing consumers need to keep in mind is that most eligible vehicles must get 18 mpg or worse and can’t be older than a 1984 model. There are a number of vehicles that meet this criteria, but the new vehicle being purchased has to meet certain fuel mileage requirements in order to qualify.

In order to find out if you qualify and what the program is all about, the federal government wants consumers to know about Cars.gov, a site created to explain the program as well as share with you current information. In addition, the CARS website can help you with:

Determine if you qualify – If you meet the program’s parameters then you can start shopping around for a new car.

Bring paperwork — When you’re ready to buy, then you need to bring your paperwork with you to the new car showroom. Buyers need to have their registration, title and insurance information with them. Dealers will be checking to make sure that your car is drivable and has been registered and insured for the past year.

Dealer’s responsibility — Eligible buyers will be able to knock $3500 to $4500 off of the final negotiated price for their vehicle, but it’ll be up to the new car dealer to get his credit from the federal government. This means that once the dealer determines your eligibility, they’ll subtract the federal credit from your price. Your dealer will “deal” with the government from this point on, not you.

Will the federal government extend the CARS program if it turns out to be more popular than anticipated? Perhaps. However, if you want to participate then check your eligibility and gather your paperwork right away.  Once the program starts showroom traffic will increase sharply which means that you’ll have to act fast in order to get the car that you want.

Adv. — If you are considering purchasing a new car, there are some steps you can take to make sure that you get the best deal. Come on over and visit SayLending.com for auto loans information including new car research to help you find the vehicle that meets your needs.

Tags: Car Allowance Rebate System, car scrappage, cars.gov, cash for clunkers, new cars