July is UV Safety Month, the time when the summer temperatures soar and the ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause the most injury to humans and pets, too.

Pets and humans can both suffer from many of the same illnesses due to overexposure to the sun. Some of these conditions are skin cancer, premature aging and heat exhaustion. Organizations like the EPA and the National Safety Council are trying to educate people on safe practices during the hot summer months.

Here are a few things you can do to protect your pet:

Always make sure there is plenty of water for your pet to drink.

Make sure your pet has access to shaded areas, or better yet, to air conditioning.

Brush your pet regularly to remove loose hair. This helps to keep them cooler and for cat owners, helps to alleviate the dreaded hairballs being regurgitated.

Don't take your pet to crowded outdoor events where the heat from the crowding just makes it even hotter.

Put sunscreen on your pet's nose and ears, as well as any other sensitive or exposed areas. Be sure to use a veterinarian approved sunscreen.

Try to play outside or walk your pet during the hours before ten o'clock in the morning or after five o'clock in the evening when the sun isn't as high in the sky.

Never, ever leave your pet in your vehicle. Even with the windows cracked, the inside of a car during summer months can heat up to over one hundred degrees in a matter of minutes. This can be fatal to your pet. If you ever see a pet trapped inside a car during the summer, contact the police for help.

Finally, if your pet has medical problems, it's best to keep them in the air conditioning.

Just think of the things that would make you uncomfortable or potentially ill from hot weather, and apply those to your pets safety, too.