As the weather warms up, you may be dreaming of days at the pool or planning a lake trip. Taking a dip to cool off in the water is one of summer’s greatest pleasures, but spending time by the water also means you have to stay vigilant for dangers and make sure to keep yourself and your family safe. It’s devastating but true that drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1–4 years old, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 people die from unintentional drowning each day. Minimize your risk by taking these preventative measures: 1. SUPERVISE Don’t let your children swim anywhere without a lifeguard or supervision. Even if your kids are older and are strong swimmers, it’s never a good idea to let them swim unsupervised. Small pools at apartment Swimming Safely
AUSTRALIAN WOMBATS IN CHARGE
complexes are especially vulnerable to accidents as they do not have lifeguards on duty, and there is no other supervision provided. If you have a pool at home or are swimming at a friend’s house, don’t let your guard down either! Drowning incidents are most likely to be reported from home pools.
Remember the Australian wildfires of 2019–2020? These fires ravaged large areas of the country, displacing and leaving countless animals to fight for survival. To make matters worse, swaths of the country have been dealing with drought. It’s one challenge after another for humans and animals alike. But one species has taken matters into its own “hands.” Numerous wombats have been discovered digging holes in search of water — and they found it! According to Australia’s ABC News, one group of wombats was discovered on a farm in New South Wales, which was situated over a large underground reservoir. So, the wombats went to work. One farmer, Ted Finnie, reported that wombats dug a hole roughly 4 meters deep by 20 meters wide (or about 65 feet). Their incredible work made this source of water remarkably accessible. At this particular watering hole, Finnie captured all sorts of creatures on camera — birds, emus, possums, echidnas, and monitor lizards — congregating around the wombats’ creation. What isn’t known is how, exactly, the wombats discovered the water, but they surmise the animals likely picked up on environmental clues and dug until they found what they were looking for. Interestingly enough, wombats have been known to help other animals in the past. During the Australian fires, countless animals were left searching for refuge, and they found it in wombat burrows. While the wombats weren’t exactly welcoming other species into their homes with open arms, they seemed to “tolerate” the visitors, as one ecologist with the University of Adelaide noted. It was a case of accidental heroism, much like their search for water, but it was heroism nonetheless. Saving Lives One Hole at a Time
A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE WHAT MEMORIAL DAY REALLY MEANS
Memorial Day will be observed this year on May 31. The long weekend in late May is widely seen as the unofficial start to summer, but it’s important to remember just what this meaningful American holiday is all about. It’s a time to honor the men and women who have died in the service of our country.
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