For a fun and safe summer, remember to take precautions while out being active with family and friends. On the last day of Summer Safety Week, we are highlighting easy tips to keep the good-times good.

Anybody can be at risk for a heat-related illness. When the temperature is hot, don’t forget to take extra breaks, drink lots of water, and avoid over consuming drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

As downtown bikes lanes increase in number, take precautions when using wheeled transit. Cyclists, skateboarders and scooters often share the road with vehicles, but injuries can happen even on a bike path.

• Children and adults should always wear helmets when riding bicycles. According to SAFE KIDS, bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.
• Always wear protective gear appropriate to the vehicle, such as elbow and kneepads, gloves, helmets, and wrist guards.
• You can’t control a bicycle that is too large. You should be able to straddle the bike and stand with both feet flat on the ground.
• Look left, right, and left again, before riding into traffic from a sidewalk, driveway, or parking lot.
• Make certain the bike has safety reflectors. All bikes should have reflectors on the front, rear, and wheel spokes.
• When losing your balance on a skateboard, crouch down so you have a shorter distance to fall.
• Ride scooters on smooth, paved surfaces without traffic. Don’t ride on streets and surfaces with water, sand, gravel, or dirt.

Maybe you want to plan an adventure with your dog. Or you need to hop on public transit to take your cat to the vet. Whatever your reason for taking your pet out in public, some training and thoughtful planning can help make sure it’s an enjoyable experience for you both.

After basic training is underway (but before you hit the dog park or other public areas), your pet should be fully vaccinated, parasite free, spayed or neutered, and able to walk obediently on a leash.

Other pet etiquette includes:

• Being in constant control of your pet; make sure he or she doesn’t jump on others or destroy property
• Closely monitoring your pet’s comfort level; remove him or her if needed
• Asking another owner if you and your pet can visit; don’t allow your pet to crowd other animals, even if it’s friendly
• Cleaning up of any messes your pet makes
• Keeping your leash on “standby” for a quick getaway; retractable leashes should not be brought into public spaces

Microchip your pets. According to the American Kennel Club, “dog flipping” is a heartbreaking criminal trend on the rise. To keep your dog safe, invest in a microchip. While this may seem invasive, your voiceless dog will thank you for it when you find him hungry and lost far from home, or you’re able to lead police to his captor.

Spokane C.O.P.S and the Riverside Neighborhood Council have partnered to bring Paws on Patrol downtown once a month every month this year. If you have a four-legged friend who is interested helping keep downtown clean and safe, consider joining the Riverside Neighborhood Council for their next patrol. Benefit include lots of sniffs and pets.