I always like to leave a gift basket on my front porch with goodies when the holidays roll around. I do most of my Christmas shopping online and nearly every day for about two weeks I have a delivery truck stop by my house.

The basket is full of bottled water, cookies, candy, even beef jerky and fruit for the drivers that prefer a healthier snack. For one town, they are doing something similar for their mail carriers in hopes of helping them beat the heat of the summer.

Postal workers do their jobs regardless of the weather. When the sun is beating down on them, they’re still out there delivering the mail. This summer though, some neighborhoods have been doing their best to help their mail carriers stay hydrated.

When a heatwave struck Oklahoma, the residents of one community wanted to thank their postal workers for continuing their work despite the horrible weather. Residents of The Village put out what they called “hydration stations” on their porches.

The coolers filled with ice, water, and other beverages offer a chance for the postal workers and delivery drivers the opportunity to grab a cool drink while enduring the blistering heat. Although the homeowners are only providing a few dozen bottles of water, the act of kindness has really helped boost morale for the workers.

It shows the workers that they are appreciated and have a community that cares about them. People who have watched the video below reporting on the kindness had plenty to say about the actions of the little community.

“Don’t forget about the sanitation workers. I try to catch them and give them cold drinks as well,” said one viewer. “Also police officers!”

If you’re dealing with sweltering heat this summer, be sure you are keeping hydrated. This is the first step to protecting yourself from heat stroke and other heat-related health issues. You should also avoid drinks that dehydrate you like caffeinated beverages and alcoholic drinks.

Try staying on the lowest floor of your house as well as heat rises making upper floors more hot than floors closer to the ground. Better yet, if you have a basement, spend time there where it is the coolest. Also use fans to circulate air and keep doors opened to get air flowing.

Are you prepared if a heat wave hits your town this summer? Now is the time to start planning. Check out the video below about the Village and their act of kindness and be sure to share it with your friends.