Summer Fun

Kids are a constant source of energy, running and playing hard in spite of weather, circumstance, and temperature. In heat levels that would slow down most adults, children will happily gear up and play sports in the blazing sunlight. However, this boundless energy comes at a cost no child considers on their own. Playing, especially in the heat, can take up an impressive amount of water and it is all too easy for enthusiastic children to forget about staying hydrated to compensate for the amount of time they spend running around in the hot sunshine. This is especially true for children who play sports, dedicating hours of their afternoons and weekends to practicing and competing on open fields. One of the best things team parents can do together is to promote hydration during sporting gatherings and events.

How We Lose Water

The human body is made up of nearly 60% water and processes it in a lot of ways.

As the weather warms up, kids spend more time outside. Even in this age of tablets and smartphones, with adults constantly shaking their heads about how much time kids spend staring at screens, playgrounds tend to be swarming with kids once springtime hits. However, when spring gives way to summer, and the temperatures soar, that can lead to some rather serious problems. How serious? Well, as Peaceful Playgrounds points out, kids tend to absorb more heat than adults do, and they sweat less in the process. So if a kid is out running around in the heat, climbing stairs, swinging on swings, and throwing themselves down a slide, they're going to heat up a lot faster than they would if they were a decade or so older. As a result, kids are much more prone to cramps, heat stroke, and other negative effects of high heat. Playground equipment can reach temperatures of more than 120 degrees during particularly

Fairs are the time for having fun and making memories that will stay with you for years to come. Whether it's singing along with the band playing the center stage on opening night, riding the rides, testing yourself with the games of skill and chance, or just eating delicious food that you know you'll regret tomorrow, there's something for everyone to enjoy at fairs. However, since they tend to happen during the summer months (to take advantage of warm weather and since kids are off of school), fairs also have to contend with dust, soaring temperatures, and a dozen other environmental issues. If you've been beaten by the heat before, here are three reasons you should consider having misting fans at your next fair.

Reason #1: They Keep Things Cool

A misting system uses a basic scientific principle called evaporation cooling in order to help fight soaring temperatures.

When you think of big, colorful umbrellas and cabanas, hot days, cold drinks and the need to hide from the sun usually come to mind. But clubs and resorts in tropical climates are not the only beneficiaries of such shady amenities; ski resorts and other cold-weather locations will find just as much use for them. If your resort operates year-round, and your packing those patio umbrellas and cabanas away when ski season arrives, here's why it's time to rethink that idea:

Why sun protection matters in a cold climate

The sun's rays don't go away just because it's winter, with its overcast skies and shorter days. The sun's UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and contribute to skin cancer,

We've all seen misting fans before. These simple devices use tiny nozzles, high-pressure water, and basic science to create localized areas of cool air, which can help you beat the heat during even the more unreasonable temperatures. But while we see them on the patios at high-end restaurants, or on the sidelines during professional sports games, that doesn't mean these fans are only for the rich and famous. In fact, there are all sorts of uses you could put them to this summer.

#1: Making Your Porch Bearable

If you've got a porch or a patio, then the natural urge is to use it to enjoy some of that fresh air you're entitled to. But when the mercury rises, even sitting and reading a book can become a stifling, impossible activity. The idea of doing anything active, much less hosting a get-together with friends

Sports are fun for young athletes and their parents, but what's not always so much fun is sitting in the hot sun during a race or a soccer or baseball game. For the parent, the heat can greatly diminish the joy of being out there with your kids. For the athlete, high temperatures can affect performance, and adults aren't the only ones who are susceptible to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke; in fact, kids may be at a greater risk for heat-related illness: "...a child's body surface area makes up a much greater proportion of his overall weight than an adult's, which means children face a much greater risk of dehydration and heat-related illness." Aside from this potentially serious possibility, being overly hot depletes a child's energy and make the game a

A restaurant or home’s most impressive feature can often be the outdoor areas, although the oppressive heat of the summer can significantly hamper the ability to enjoy the fresh air. Fortunately, a wealth of available options not only can allow your business or residential property to survive the summer heat but actually help it to thrive when the temperatures hit their peak. Here’s a look at the top four reasons to transform your outdoor space and find refuge from the sun with Cool-Off.  

Avoid that sun burn with umbrellas and shade sails:

Just about everyone loves to be outside in the summer but nobody wants to pay the price with a brutal sunburn at the end of it. Although there are plenty of helpful options when it comes to

After many years in Houston, TX, we’ve moved our offices to the beautiful Dallas/Fort Worth area and have been creating great success with and for local businesses and residents alike. From helping hospitality businesses like the Sisu Boutique and Marisco’s Seafood Shack capitalize by keeping their patios open in otherwise preventative weather conditions to keeping the permanent and daily guests of the Dallas Zoo cool and comfortable, we’re proud to have the relationships we’ve had for years and look forward to meeting and working with more businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We’re excited to be in Dallas/Fort Worth and look forward to continuing to help businesses and residents of all sizes and from all backgrounds enjoy their outdoor space year round without having to “take the party inside” because of a little e

There’s nothing more rewarding than getting your hands dirty, investing your time, energy and sweat into creating something of your own. Designing and building a brick or stone patio is an excellent project that will reap benefits year after year. If you’re considering taking on this project, here is some practical, step-by-step advice to help ensure that the end result is a resounding success! Step 1 – Choose Your Location There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a location for a brick or stone patio. First and foremost, you’ll want to select an area that’s large enough to suit your needs. You’ll also want to pick a spot that’s convenient. After all, you’ll want to get as much use out of the area as possible once the project’s complete.

Believe it or not, the holidays are fast approaching, which means many of us will be scrambling to come up with the perfect gift idea for each of our loved ones. But what about those on your list who are incredibly hard to buy for? What about the person who “has everything”? How can you manage to find the ideal gift that will not only wow them, but will have them thanking you for weeks, months and years to come? Here are a few ideas for you to consider.

 

Patio Heater – This is the perfect time of year to start thinking about how best to stay warm, and there’s no better solution than a patio heaters. Not only will this keep those on your gift list cozy as the temperatures continue to drop, but they’ll also get the added bonus of being able to enjoy their time outdoors for longer. And since you’re the one who thought of the most awesome gift idea, you know you’ll be at the top of their invite list, so it’s a win-win!