Swimming is one of the most popular sports. As well as being fun, swimming is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy and make friends.

Swimming is a healthy activity that you can continue for a lifetime. It is a low-impact activity that has many physical and mental health benefits.

Swimming for recreation

Swimming is a great recreational activity for people of all ages. Recreational swimming can provide you with a low-impact workout and it's a good way to relax and feel good.

Health benefits of swimming

Swimming is a great workout because you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water.

Swimming is a good all-round activity because it:

• keeps your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body
• builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
• helps you maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs
• tones muscles and builds strength
• provides an all-over body workout, as nearly all of your muscles are used during swimming.

Other benefits of swimming

Swimming has many other benefits including:

• being a relaxing and peaceful form of exercise
• alleviating stress
• improving coordination, balance and posture
• improving flexibility
• providing good low-impact therapy for some injuries and conditions
• providing a pleasant way to cool down on a hot day
• being available in many places – you can swim in swimming pools, beaches, lakes, dams and rivers. Make sure that the environment you choose to swim in is safe.

Getting started with swimming

Getting started in swimming is easy. It is a sport for all age groups, skill and fitness levels. Before you get started, you will need to purchase a pair of swimmers and some goggles.

Source: Betterhealth.vic

Homes can have many hidden hazards that could be harmful to anyone – from babies to seniors. Thirty-three million people are injured by consumer products in the home each year, but most of these injuries are avoidable, so practicing prevention and hazard-proofing homes can save lives.

The following recommendations to help you and your family stay safe.

Safety Tips for Any Home

• Keep emergency numbers on every phone; include fire, police, your doctor(s), ambulance service and the poison control hotline (1-800-222-1222).
• Make sure your house number is visible from the street.
• Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor. Change batteries twice a year when you change your clocks for daylight savings time.
• Eliminate clutter. Keep stairways and walkways clear of tripping hazards.
• Have regular inspections for your furnaces, hot water heaters and other gas appliances, as well as chimneys and flues.
• Never use kerosene or gas space heaters in unvented rooms, and never keep cars, motorcycles or lawn mowers running in a closed or attached garage.
• Be cautious when using ladders. Inspect for loose or worn parts. Use only on stable, level ground, and don’t overreach.
• Wear protective footwear and eyewear when mowing the lawn.
• Wear protective eyewear when operating power tools.
• Install decorative markers on glass doors so that people do not walk into them by mistake.
• Consider having a telephone connected to a land-line because cell phones run out of power, and their service may be interrupted in an emergency situation.

Home Safety Checklist for Children

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 4.5 million children are injured by hazards in the home each year. Parents should teach their children about safety at home, at school, on the playground and while traveling. This includes knowing their address and how to call 9-1-1. Never leave young children unattended. Cover all unused electrical sockets and keep electrical cords out of children’s reach.

• Install protective padding on the corners of furniture with sharp edges.
• Use safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers.
• Protect children from dangerous areas. Install safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairways. Place guards on banisters and railings if your child can fit through the rails.
• Secure tall bookcases, televisions, or other pieces that might tip over.
• Use window guards and safety netting to help prevent falls from windows, balconies and landings. (If window guards are used, ensure that at least one window in each room can easily be used as an exit in case of fire.)
• Tie up vertical blind cords.
• Install doorknob covers on entry doors so small children can’t leave the house unattended.
• Use nightlights, but keep the small plastic bulbs out of reach of children.
• Remove rubber tips from door stops, so children cannot choke on them, or install one-piece doorstops.
• Pay attention to all equipment recalls, including those for “hand-me-downs.”
• Store drugs and chemicals, such as cleaning products and bleach, out of reach and in their original containers to ensure proper knowledge of contents.
• Buy medicines, vitamins and household products with child-resistant caps.
• Keep toys with small parts (and other small objects) out of the reach of toddlers and young children. If the object can fit easily into the cardboard center of a roll of toilet tissue, the object can pose a choking hazard.
• If you own any firearms, always store unloaded and locked. Firearms and ammunition should be stored separately.
• Remove any houseplants from children’s reach.

Source: emergencyphysicians.org

If you're a golf lover, there's no off-season when it comes to getting out on the course. But to play your best year-round, it's important to stay physically and mentally prepared for whatever the weather brings. From hot summer days to cooler winter mornings, adjusting your approach each season can help keep your game strong.

While some people shy away from playing golf in the heat of the summer, others take advantage and go out as usual. This is because they prepare for the season. Here are tips on playing golf in hot weather.

Drink Enough Fluids

Staying hydrated is essential for playing your best, especially in warm weather. Start drinking water a few hours before tee time, and keep a bottle with you to sip throughout your round. Staying ahead of dehydration helps you stay energized and focused. And while a drink might be tempting, remember—alcohol can dehydrate you, so water is always the better choice on the course.

Wear Light, Breathable Clothing

Wearing loose, lightweight clothing is key to staying cool and comfortable on the course. Opt for breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking materials designed for sun protection. Long-sleeve shirts and pants can shield your skin from harmful rays, and many brands now offer golf apparel with built-in SPF for added coverage without sacrificing comfort.

Wear Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin during long hours on the course. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and apply it generously to all exposed areas—don’t forget your ears, neck, and the back of your hands. Look for sweat-resistant formulas designed for sports to ensure lasting coverage, and reapply every couple of hours to stay protected without compromising your game.

Eat Lighter, Healthy Meals

Eating light and healthy meals will help you retain adequate energy for golfing. However, be sure to avoid overeating because you will feel heavy and sluggish. It is also best to eat earlier, probably a few hours before golfing. Opt for foods that are high in water content, such as fruits and vegetables, and avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages, which can dehydrate you. You can also pack some snacks, such as granola bars or trail mix, to keep your energy levels up throughout the game.

Condos, or condominiums, are residential units in larger complexes where you own your living space and share common areas. There are many advantages to condo living, and depending on the market and your circumstances, they can be great investments. Let’s explore what a condo is, how ownership works, and the benefits of condo living.

Condos and Their Investment Potential at a Glance

• A condominium, or condo, is a property arrangement that combines individual unit ownership with shared ownership of common areas, distinct from rental apartments.
• Condo ownership includes exclusive rights to the unit’s interior while sharing responsibilities for maintaining common areas, typically managed by a homeowners’ association (HOA).
• Condo living offers reduced maintenance, access to community amenities, and enhanced security, making them appealing for personal residence.
• Renting out a condo can provide positive cash flow and cover mortgage payments for the property, allowing the owner to build equity.

Defining a Condo

At its core, a condo is a property arrangement where a building or a group of buildings is divided into several individually owned units that share common areas, including the potential for future condominium development. Picture a large property complex where different individuals own each unit, but the hallways, recreational facilities, and other amenities are shared among all residents.

A key feature distinguishing condos from other housing types is the blend of individual and collective ownership. Each condo owner has exclusive rights to their own unit, much like owning a single-family home. However, they also share ownership and responsibility for the common areas and amenities with other condo owners.

Condos and apartments differ significantly. While both may look similar, condos are individually owned units, whereas a property management company typically rents apartments. This distinction affects maintenance responsibilities and the sense of community.

Source: portlandrealestate.com