Heat Wave: 12 Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer

Heat Wave: 12 Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer

Summer is officially here – and so are higher temperatures. As much as we welcome the sun and fun, it’s important to remember that the rising temperatures can have a major effect on your dog’s health. Canines can easily get overheated because the only ways they release heat is by panting and through a limited number of sweat glands between their toes. Here is a list of ways to keep your dog cool and hydrated so that they can enjoy summer as much as you do.

Don’t leave your pet in an unattended vehicle. On a 75-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can climb up to 115 degrees within an hour. Even with the windows down, a dog can easily overheat if left in these conditions.

Avoid walking on hot surfaces like asphalt. Your pup’s paws can be as sensitive as the soles of your feet. If the asphalt’s too hot for you to walk on, chances are it’s too hot for your pup too. On a walk, try to alternate between asphalt, sidewalk, and grass so that your dog’s delicate paws don’t get overheated. If your dog is particularly sensitive, cover his paws with pet booties so he can stroll comfortably.

Supply lots of fresh, clean water. Some dogs get a bit finicky with their water if there’s an odd scent in the bowl or if it’s been warming up in the sun for a while. Keeping a fresh, clean supply of H2O in your dog’s dish will ensure that your pup drinks more often and stays hydrated.

Bring fresh water for your dog when you go out. Always grab a portable bowl and water bottle on your way out the door, so that your pup can drink up even when you’re both on the go.

If it’s > 85 degrees, leave your dog at home. Going to the beach and sitting out all day in the sun is something we humans enjoy, but it can leave pooches severely dehydrated. Even if you feel like the heat is bearable, remember, when dogs are exposed to moderately high temperatures over an extended period of time, their bodies might be unable to cool down.

Don’t overexercise pets. Dogs don’t always know their own limits. If you can tell your dog is breathing more rapidly or having some trouble chasing after a ball, slow things down and allow him to cool off. Outdoor activities are great but, instead of playing in the blazing afternoon sun, try tossing a ball around as the sun is setting.

Get him a cooling vest. If it’s really warm, a cooling vest with cold packs built into the sides will make sure your dog stays comfortable and cool even on a long hike.

Apply sunscreen to your dog’s fur and skin. Despite their furry coats, dogs can still be exposed to and damaged by UV rays. Coating their fur and skin in doggy UV protectant sunblock will help prevent burns and keep them healthy.

Let your dog stand in a cool pool. Aside from panting, dogs cool down through the sweat glands in their paws. Having them stand in a cool pool of water or giving them a quick foot soak can help lower their body temperature. It can also be helpful to put some cold water on your dog’s chest. Never use ice to help your dog cool down, as it may lower their temperature too quickly and constrict blood flow, which will actually inhibit the body from cooling.

Walk during cooler times of the day. Simple adjustments to your dog’s daily routine can help keep them from being outside during the hottest hours. Switch walking times to early mornings and evenings; that way your pup still gets the exercise he needs with less risk of overheating.

Provide proper outdoor shelter. Does your dog like to spend his days in the yard? Whether it’s an awning that he can lie down under or a tree he can rest beneath, make sure your dog has a place to get out of direct sunlight.

Know the signs of dehydration. Here is a helpful guide to help you spot the signs; save it, pin it, and share it!

Make sure your dog always gets enough water, especially when it’s hot. If any of these symptoms persist, see your vet.

Have other tips? Leave them in the comments below!

Maze Lumber is dedicated to providing our customers with superior service.

 

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MAZE LUMBER

1100 Water Street
P.O. Box 449

Peru, IL 61354

Phone: 815-223-1742

Fax: 815-223-1752

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon

Sunday: Closed

Keep Your Cool While Working Outdoors In The Sun & Extreme Heat With These Safety Tips!

As summer approaches, so do the dangers of working outside during hot weather.

Summer heat can be dangerous - even deadly - if you don't take the proper precautions. Knowing how to work safely in hot weather can help prevent heat stress injuries and heat stroke, the most serious heat-related disorder. Heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. When this occurs, body temperature can rise to 106° F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. If emergency treatment is not provided, heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

-An extremely high body temperature (higher than 103° F)
-Red, hot and dry skin with no visible sweating

-Rapid, strong pulse

-Throbbing headache

-Dizziness and/or nausea

-Unconsciousness

Stay Safe And Have A Great Summer!

 

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MAZE LUMBER

1100 Water Street

P.O. Box 449

Peru, IL 61354
Phone: 815-223-1742

Fax: 815-223-1752

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon

Sunday: Closed

Keep Your Family Safe With These 7 Family-Oriented Home Improvements That You Can Make Today

Seven Family-Oriented Home Safety Improvements

As families grow, sometimes our living spaces need to grow as well. Whether you’re considering a full-scale remodel or looking to upgrade your home around your young/aging family members, we put together this great list of family-oriented home safety improvements you can make to your existing house. Not only will these improvements increase your home’s safety factor, but they’re likely to add value to your home as well. Did you find any of these safety improvement suggestions useful? Don’t forget to comment below!

• Increase Lighting – Walk around and identify areas with poor lighting. Younger and older family members are more likely to injure themselves in dimly lit areas of the home due to decreased visibility. Consider installing adjustable ceiling mounted or recessed fixtures. Then you’ll be able to control the level of light in a room, without sacrificing ambiance for bright lighting.

• Remove Angular Corners – Try to remove any bulky or angular corners from your home. Consider updating your kitchen island or purchasing new furniture. This includes heavy cabinetry with protruding elements. Should one of your family members accidentally slip and fall, they’ll be far less likely to suffer a “sharp corner” injury.

• Avoid Slippery Floors – Avoid using floor materials known to be slick. Try to install easy to clean, slip-resistant flooring. Eliminate current slippery floors by using large rugs to cover the floor surface. To avoid someone tripping on the rug, purchase a rug large enough that the carpeted areas extend to the wall’s edges.

• Large Entrances and Doorways – Increase the size of your entrances or doorways. Renovating out-dated exterior entrances or interior doorways can add a significant amount of value to your home. Should you choose to improve any entrances during a family-oriented remodel, we recommend extending the width of the door, so bulky items (i.e. strollers, wheelchairs, etc.) can easily pass through the door frame.

• Safe Staircases – Younger and older family members are more likely to have accidents on a staircase. Eliminate this accident potential by installing safety handrails. If you have a steep stairwell in your home, you may consider installing a stairwell landing or extending the length of the staircase.

• Accessible Storage Areas – You’ll want all of your storage areas highly accessible for all family members. Add an extra storage space underneath your staircase. Add an easy access pantry in your kitchen. Avoid placing heavy items on high shelving or in hard to reach storage areas.

• Easy Access Shower/Bathtub – Lastly, eliminate the bathroom slip and fall factor by installing a family-friendly step-in shower, or a kid-friendly bathtub. Also, consider using single-handled faucets around your home. This reduces the risk of young or older family members scalding themselves on hot water.

Maze Lumber is dedicated to providing our customers with superior service.

 

Don't forget!!!

Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Check us out on Instagram!

MAZE LUMBER

1100 Water Street

P.O. Box 449

Peru, IL 61354

Phone: 815-223-1742

Fax: 815-223-1752

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon

Sunday: Closed

Planning on remodeling your basement? Here are helpful tips to get you started!

BASEMENT REMODELING TIPS

When you need more living space, by-pass the attic, forget the backyard, and turn to the basement. That space that you are most likely using primarily for storage is prime remodeling territory. For many homeowners, it's the best-kept secret in space expansion. Before you say "no way", consider these facts:

Finishing the basement is a simple and cost-effective alternative to adding square footage to a house. In fact, the cost of finishing your basement, with all or most of the same features [the skylights are the only exception] you would get with an all-new 'built-up' or 'built-out' addition, is around 10-15%! The key is to stop thinking of the remodeling space as a 'basement' and reconsider it as additional living space. That is exactly what you'll get if you apply the following tips.

Since basements are surrounded by earth that remains at a relatively constant temperature year around, they're naturally cooler in the summer than above ground rooms. In the winter, the cold winds do not blow against the concrete and air infiltration is limited. Dense concrete foundations keep them quiet, too, which makes them perfect for the functions people most want to add to their homes: a playroom for the kids, a home office, an exercise area, a large custom shower, a sauna, a guest space or just a place to unwind and shoot some pool, throw darts, play ping pong. The dark end of a basement is the ideal place for a home theater. A kitchenette or a wet bar adds a nice touch, not to mention practicality and great entertaining.

Since the work usually takes place in an out-of-the-way area many times with its own entrance, the contractor and his crew can spare the occupants much of the hassle that goes with remodeling other parts of the house.

To be sure, basements present challenges -- small windows, low ceilings, structural columns. But with the right budget, all can be overcome or even transformed into assets. And unlike other existing spaces, basements flaws are obvious, so you won't have to budget for unpleasant surprises.

Best of all, the structure is already there: four walls, a floor and ceiling, all paid for. What homeowner wouldn't like to hear that the job is 30 percent finished before the contractor even picks up a hammer?

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

PLANNING:Before calling any contractor ask yourself: What do we want to do with the space? How long are we going to be in the house? What is important to us? The answers to these questions are fundamental in planning the addition of the new space.

Most likely you are only going to do this project once so is should be done to answer the above questions and meet your expectations. There may be times where putting the project off for an additional year maybe two is the best first step to save resources to finish the basement to meet the objectives. With that out of the way here are some additional tips.

WINDOWS:Maximize window areas within the finished space for maximum daylight and fresh air. Also do not forget emergency egress. Most building codes require every room to have two ways to exit 
[NOTE: a window is considered a way to exit, but only if the bottom of that window is no higher than 36" from the finished floor].

Keep the floor plan "open"; this will make the place brighter, and lower your overall project costs. Funnel in as much daylight as possible. The existing windows wells can be dug deeper or wider, so that larger windows and or wells can be installed. This remains true even if cutting through solid, poured concrete foundation walls is necessary. There's a company ['Bilco'] that offers a product called 'Scapewell'. It's a large window well system made of structural rigid foam. Terraced steps scoop in natural light and provide easy escape. The steps can be enhanced with potted plants. Or job built window wells can be constructed of concrete retaining wall stones terraced back from the existing window well location.

LIGHTING:

Don't be stingy with artificial lighting; a basement should be lit more heavily than above-grade areas, especially if it will be used as a children's playroom. Today most customers prefer recessed can lights within the ceiling. Recessed can lights give a "warmer" light than fluorescent lighting. Proper planning is crucial in lighting. Lights should be broken down into logical zones and dimmers used to help control the light to meet individual applications. i.e.: During movie time less light may be required than during coloring with the kids, which may vary from the holiday party.

A nice finishing touch is to replace the existing door on the main floor leading to the basement stairs with a divided light French door. Not only more light will reach the basement, but also since you can now see through the door, when walking to the upstairs, you just eliminated the risk of swinging open the door in someone's face! One more benefit: when the kids forget to turn off the lights, which never, ever happens, you'll know right away! Also this is a great attraction to show your newly created living space off to visitors, as the door is certainly an eye catcher.
Access to the outdoors is an underestimated asset. One larger option is the addition of a walk out

doors via excavating soil around the foundation and installing a retaining wall, steps and walk out door. If this is an option we recommend a set of French patio doors to maximize the connection to the backyard. Picture this: If your new doors are facing south, you will love the winter, when the sun is at its lowest and therefore "soaks" your entire basement!

HEAD ROOM:Ducts and plumbing may need to be relocated along walls or beams, where headroom isn't so critical. Leave ceilings high in the center of rooms. Along the walls where the ceiling is too low, we can install soffits or custom built-ins [cabinets or shelving]. It is also the perfect place to locate closets. Furthermore, design the rooms so that the posts or columns are concealed inside the walls; eliminating one or two is definitely possible, and in most cases desirable.

Use horizontal design elements to emphasize the width and length of the room rather than its lack of height. Set floor tiles in a diagonal pattern to make the room feel wider.
Drop ceilings are popular in basements. Drywall ceilings are more common today and offer a more open feeling as well as continuation of the main floors of the home into the basement. One of our objectives is to transform your basement into additional living space.
White painted base moldings, brighter neutral colors and ample lighting all combine to achieve a more open feeling as well as the feel of increased head room.

FLOOR COVERINGS:Carpet is great common floor covering in today's homes. It should carry through to the basement as well. Carpet selection should suit the application and your design style. If the area were primarily to be used for smaller children, a Berber may be more durable than a pile carpet.
Also more and more popular today are the options for laminate or engineered

wood flooring. The better products offer vapor barriers and padding to help cushion traffic and help insulate from the cool concrete below. Again, we recommend the best padding for your floor as recommended by its manufacturer.
A main stay in basement flooring and durability is tile, including ceramic, porcelain and natural stones. Each material offers unique color variations and costs. The durability of tile is the main benefit. In today's finished basement spaces tile is primarily used for bathroom areas, bar areas and kids craft areas. Even within tiled areas small area rugs can be used to accent the tiles as well as offer some insulation from the cool concrete below. In certain cases special installation or underlayment procedures maybe required to prevent cracking of the installed tiles.

CLIMATE CONTROL:Include ample supply air and return air intakes for the furnace. The choice to heat and cool from the ceiling versus the floor is a personal preference as well as limited by construction constraints.

As a rule of thumb we recommend and install both supply and return vents low on the wall where possible. This puts the heat at the coolest spot along the floor.
The important factor is that each air supply be tied into the main duct. Where possible, under floor radiant heating within the basement floor is the best source of heat for the basement area.
Another great source of heat and ambiance is a fireplace. Today, technologies exist for direct vent and vent less fireplaces. Fireplaces are a great source of supplementary heating and a centerpiece for basements. Don't let the added cost defer the addition of a fireplace. Fireplaces are another "Oh wow!" that will make your finished basement the envy of the neighborhood and can be finished with a brick, tile or wood surround to accent other features of the basement area.
Finally, a great option for supplemental heat is electric baseboard heat. Two units with a single wall controller can efficiently add "Heat on demand" within the finished space. Basebaord heat is cost effective to both install and operate.
Dehumidification is an often-overlooked element of finished basements. With the addition of your new space and surrounded by porous concrete, proper dehumidification will keep your space dry and comfortable for years to come. With the damp humid summer months the operation of a freestanding de-humidifier will keep the space free of excess moisture and help prevent mold concerns.

BATHROOMS:An extra full bathroom used to be an option; now

it is considered a must. In fact, many of our clients opt for a custom shower with some of the following options: built-in seat, steam, walk-in, and multiple heads. Saunas are also increasing in popularity. Our bathrooms tend to compliment the other baths within the house or often become a showpiece with stone or tile shower surrounds. As with all spaces consider the usages. If you have a guest room or exercise room, a ¾ bath or addition of a shower is a must. If you have a family room and game room, only then perhaps a ½ bath will meet the requirements of your newly finished space.

WATER CONTROL:Water control is a topic that we frequently discuss with our customers. The best control is simple prevention. Keep the outside water outside!! Proper grading is number one. All grading around the perimeter of the house should direct water away from the house. Grading should be below the foundation level and window wells. Down spouts should be properly extended away from the house. A minimum of five feet is recommended. Keep the window well drains clean and free of debris. If there is any question as to proper operation, test with a garden hose.

Sump pump operation is critical to today's water control. The sump pump should be tied into the window well drains as well as the foundation perimeter drain to remove groundwater before it enters the basement. Back up systems are a good addition to the finished space. Proper redundant installation will alleviate most short falls of the primary system.
If any foundation cracks exist, sealing should be completed prior to closing the walls up. We offer complete epoxy injection crack repair. If you have had any leakage or questions about possible leaks it is best to address the cracks before concealing them behind the walls of your newly finished basement.

Please feel free to contact us with any comments, questions, thoughts or ideas you may have.  We are always appreciative of our customers' input. 

Maze Lumber is dedicated to providing our customers with superior service.

 

Don't forget!!!

Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Check us out on Instagram!

MAZE LUMBER

1100 Water Street

P.O. Box 449

Peru, IL 61354

Phone: 815-223-1742

Fax: 815-223-1752

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon

Sunday: Closed

TOP 10 REASONS TO BUY A GAS FIRE PIT

Start your outdoor season off right

with a gas fire pit table at Maze Lumber!

Maze Lumber can now help you get 'fired up' for outdoor season with gas fire pit products plus Do-it-Yourself Gas Fire Pit Kits and custom fire pits to turn your patio or backyard into your dream outdoor room! Outdoor gas fire pit tables and gas fireplaces add a warm, cozy glow to any outdoor space. Gas fire pit tables and fireplaces are a perfect focal point to any outdoor living space. 

1.       Gas fire pits can be burning at full capacity in less than 5 seconds and be turned off whenever you want– have a flame instantly with no hassle or wait time to extinguish.

2.       Safe to use in city limits and next to houses where wood burning fire pits may not be allowed.

3.       Variety of looks, designs and burner sizes available with OGC gas fire pit tables.

4.       No sparks or hot embers in the wind with gas fire pits means no mess!

5.       Safe to use with your patio furniture, next to your pool, or on a wooden deck where a wood burning fire pit couldn’t go.

6.       Chat, dining or pub height available.

7.       2 for 1– Gas fire pit and a table– Cover the burner when not using and use as a table

8.       Provides both heat and ambiance with an adjustable flame– control the temperature and flame height (OGC fire pits are 60K or 90K BTUs).

9.       Change the look with OGC glass guards and colored glass gems

10.     UL listed for safety– very important!

Outdoor firepits are great gathering places for friends and family, and they can be a valuable addition to any backyard, deck or outdoor living space. Ultimately, the outdoor firepit that's right for your home's exterior space will be one that reflects your personality and your goals for fireside fun.

Stop by the Maze Lumber showroom today to get started creating your dream outdoor room!

To learn more visit Maze Lumber today!

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MAZE LUMBER

1100 Water Street

P.O. Box 449

Peru, IL 61354
Phone: 815-223-1742

Fax: 815-223-1752

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon

Sunday: Closed