4 SAFETY TIPS BEFORE HITTING THE WATER MAKE A SPLASH! “Don’t run by the pool!” These are words to live by. Rules like this prevent serious injury and save lives. Families everywhere are cooling off at the pools, lakes, ponds, and rivers of Texas. If it’s open, then they’re there! But every outdoor swimming season comes with its share of injuries and accidents. As you and your family jump in to cool off, here are a few things to keep in mind so you can stay safe while having fun!
No diving means no diving. Never dive into a body of water with posted no-diving signs or if you cannot verify the depth of the body of water — and no, you cannot verify depth just by looking at the water. The American Red Cross recommends a depth of 9 feet or more in unobstructed water. Every year, an average of 800 spinal cord injuries are caused by diving into shallow water. Become CPR-certified. If you or your kids are frequent swimmers, then consider becoming first-aid and CPR-certified. These are great skills to have and can make a difference in many life-threatening situations. The average CPR class is three hours and covers a variety of lifesaving techniques and topics. Certification is offered through the Red Cross, and you can find classes at RedCross.org/take-a-class.
Supervision is a must. You never know what might happen. There should always be at least one adult in the immediate area to keep an eye on swimmers, no matter how shallow the body of water is. If there isn’t a lifeguard on duty, then it may be up to you to take on the role. If you can’t stick around and there is no one else to keep watch, then the swimming will have to wait. Never let kids swim alone, and always rely on the buddy system. Watch the weather. Before you head out to your favorite swimming hole, check the weather. During the summer, the weather can turn on a dime. One moment, it’s sunny, and the next, it’s rainy and windy. If the weather forecast suggests a storm, then adjust your trip around the forecast. If you are at the pool or lake and notice trouble on the horizon, then it’s best to wrap things up. You do not want to risk being in or around water when a storm sets in. Texas-Sized LAUGHS
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MONTSERRAT O S WA L D
NO-CHURN S'MORES ICE CREAM
Inspired by GrainChanger.com
July is National Ice Cream Month, so why not cool off with some sweet, homemade s’mores ice cream? You don’t even need an ice cream churn!
INGREDIENTS
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14 oz sweetened condensed milk
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1 chocolate bar, chopped
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups whipping cream, chilled
10 graham crackers, crushed
DIRECT IONS
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, graham crackers, and chocolate. 2. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat whipping cream until peaks form, about 3 minutes. 3. Fold whipping cream into the condensed milk mixture. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 8 hours. 4. Serve and enjoy on a hot summer day. It’s especially delicious in a waffle cone!
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