The “anti-vaccine” movement is wreaking havoc in communities across the United States. It seems that rumors on parenting blogs have played a role in the recent uptick in refusals to vaccinate. Some blogs site religious beliefs.  Other blogs  tout the benefits of an organic lifestyle’s ability to overcome disease. Parents choosing not to vaccinate should question what will happen when their child gets sick and needs to take drugs in order to survive. There is never a 100% guarantee for anything. Risking the odds of contracting a serious, possibly fatal virus by refusing to get vaccinated seems absurd in today’s high tech information age.

Vaccines weren’t always so readily available. In fact, it was only 70 years ago in the 1940s that children were dying from outbreaks of measles, mumps and hepatitis B. Due to the invention of 40 different vaccines by Dr. Maurice Hilleman and better hygiene practices, over 732,000  lives will have been saved just over the past two decades. Current generations including Millennials, Gen Xers and Gen Yers appear to take disease free communities and longer life spans for granted. If these same generations had talked to their grandparents rather than browse online blogs perhaps this movement could have been avoided. Instead, we see the rise of diseases like Chickenpox, Measles and Influenza that can have serious consequences to young children and grandchildren.

Not only is it important to think of the safety of our loved ones, but we must think of our communities and society as whole. A concept known as “Herd Community” focuses on the impact to entire populations worldwide. Because travel is so readily available, disease can spread farther and faster than ever before making it even harder to contain to a small population. If the majority of people are vaccinated, the community as a whole is more protected against a disease; as it is harder for the virus to penetrate the population and even the non-vaccinated people of the “herd” have a smaller chance of getting sick. Unfortunately, due to the “antivaccine” movement in the US, diseases that were nearly extinct like Whooping Cough and Polio have begun to appear. The sad part is the unvaccinated children will suffer the most, as they will be the ones feeling the full impact.

There are many rumors and untruths related to vaccinations. However, the current facts showing the evolution of vaccination, demonstrate that vaccinating children is safe and effective. For example, in 1999 Thimerosal, the substance associated with Autism, was voluntarily removed from vaccines by the pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has substantiated that once harmful chemicals used in the 70s have been removed and vaccines are safe and effective. Should the anti-vaccination trend become more prevalent all of the people we come in contact with on a daily basis including family and friends will be at risk. Therefore, I urge everyone, especially parents of young kids, to research the current facts and statistical importance of vaccinations and then get vaccinated!

Here are some articles to help get you started:

LA Times: Sunday, September 7, 2014 front page, A vaccination heretic, by Paloma Esquivel
http://www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/55944581/#55944581
http://vaccines.procon.org/#background
http://www.health.harvard.edu/flu-resource-center/vaccines-and-your-health.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/24/cdc-vaccine-benefits/8094789/

o Keep Kids away from pool drains, pipes and other openings where clothing, hair or toys can get caught and cause potential drowning.

• A safety kit including scissors, flotation device and a charged phone should be nearby in case of emergencies
  

o Ensure pool equipment is running smoothly and properly safeguarded to avoid electrocution.

• Outlets outside and around wet surfaces should be equipped with GFCI sockets.
•  Call an electrician, such as Griff’s Electric in Signal Hill, CA to inspect all electrical outlets and wiring in and around the pool once a year.
• 
  

 o Kids should play safely in and around the pool as wet, slippery surfaces can cause accidents.

• No running and no pushing from the side of the pool or off diving boards. Especially no jumping into the shallow end of the pool.

o   Do not leave pool toys of any kind around the perimeter of the pool as people can trip and hurt themselves.

•  Ensure toys are properly stored away from the swimming pool when done, as it can be tempting for kids to jump in unsupervised to get them later.

o Ensure the pool is clear prior to jumping off the diving board and no holding people under water.

o Supervise swimmers of any age, it is unsafe to swim alone.

• Accidents can happen even to the most advanced swimmer.
  
• Avoid distractions when supervising swimmers; per the statistics, about 46% of drownings occur under close supervision.
• Learn CPR and understand basic life saving skills, as well as keeping a charged phone nearby in case of emergencies.

o Pets are important to our families, ensure to keep them safe around the pool.

•  Keep pets away from the pool, just as you would children, when you are not around. For example, a pool fence if the pet is kept outside.
  
• From a young age, familiarize the pet with the water, making sure to show them where the steps are to exit the pool and have them practice.
  

o Most importantly, have a fun and safe summer from Griff’s Electric!

For more information on pool safety, see the following websites:
http://www.adamshomes.com/blog-and-news/22-advice/499-top-10-pool-safety-tips
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Swimming-Pool-Safety.aspx
http://www.poolsafely.gov/pool-spa-safety/staying-safe-pools-spas/residential-swimming-pools/

As you begin pondering when to start Spring Cleaning, do you ever wonder about the origin of this phrase?  Long ago, before electricity and gas operating appliances,  people used  fire and oils to warm their houses.  After a long,  cold Fall and Winter season of burning oils and wood, a buildup of soot and sticky residue blanketed the inside of the houses. As the weather warmed, the cleaning would ensue and the darkened, dingy houses would be aired out and scrubbed from top to bottom, giving birth to the term “Spring Cleaning”.   

Although we have modern amenities, our houses and contents can still use some attention as Spring closes in upon us.  Yes, we are thankful for how much easier are lives are, compared to our predecessors when it comes to keeping  warm throughout the winter. However,  there are some Spring Cleaning tips that can 
aid our appliances in running  more efficiently, safely and 
save us money.

·         Clean air vents and replace air filters.
·         Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans.
·         Line dry clothes.
·         Rinse off screens.
·         Clean and defrost freezers.
·         Check electrical outlets for loose connections.
·         Consolidate cords and wires, check extension cords to ensure they are in good working condition.
·         Give kitchen appliances a break and BBQ.
·         Turn off the television and electronics and enjoy outdoor activities.

Southern California Edison made a tweet about how to safely reset your circuit breakers after a power outage. Follow this tips to safely restore power. Check out Southern California Edison's twitter here: twitter.com/SCE

Smoke alarms are responsible for saving countless lives.  Nearly two-thirds of deaths caused by house fires are in houses without a working smoke alarm. When a fire is starting, you need the quick warning that smoke alarms deliver. Because of this, it is important to keep these tips in mind:

• Install a smoke alarm in each sleeping area of your home, and be sure to interconnect them all so they will all sound at the same time
• Install both an ionization smoke alarm and a photoelectric smoke alarm for the best protection
• Test alarms monthly by pushing the test button
• Smoke rises - so be sure to install your smoke alarms high on your wall or ceiling
• Replace the batteries once per year
• Hard-wired alarms must be installed by a certified electrician
• Install a special strobe light or vibration for the deaf or hard of hearing
• Be sure to create a home fire escape plan that your whole family is aware of

Find the full list from the National Fire Protection Association here: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/fire-and-safety-equipment/smoke-alarms/smoke-alarm-safety-tips

When decorating with lights this holiday season, it is important to stay safe. "U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 230 home fires annually that start with Christmas trees, resulting in an average of six deaths, 22 injuries and $18.3 million in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. About 5,800 people annually also are treated in hospital emergency rooms for falls associated with holiday decorations, with more than half of them coming from ladders or roofs while decorating outdoors, the fire association said."  Most holiday decoration related injuries can be easily prevented. Southern California Edison has put together a list of tips to help you and your family stay safe this season.

• Never place lights closer than 10 feet to power lines and always be aware of power lines.
• Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when decorating outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
• Always inspect your ladder before using it to ensure that it is safe. If the ladder is damaged, buy a new one that is safe to use.
• Be sure electrical cords are not placed at an angle or position that pinches them, like in windows.
• Use plastic zip cords when hanging lights instead of staples, tacks or nails.
• Use no more than three strands of light per extension cord. Overloads can cause fires or lines to short circuit.
• Keep lights directly away from carpeting, furniture, drapes and other flammable materials.
• Use only decorations bearing the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Intertek (ETL) labels.
• Always unplug decorative lights when leaving home or before going to bed.

To read the full article, follow this link: http://newsroom.edison.com/releases/give-the-gift-of-safety-during-the-holidays

This week the National Fire Protection Association is teaching the public that the leading cause of injuries and home fires is cooking. Here are some facts provided by the NFPA to educate for Fire Prevention Week:

• Electric ranges have a higher risk of fire rather than gas ranges
• Unattended equipment is the leading cause of cooking fires
• The best way to prevent a stop top fire is to stay in the kitchen while frying
• When a pan fire occurs, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the heat
• For early warning of a home fire, install smoke detectors in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home

Visit http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers for more information regarding Fire Prevention Week

Bullying can occur at all stages of life but is especially prevalent during childhood and teenage years. Ask questions and get involved. Avoid being just a bystander. 

Cyberbullying has increased with the rise of social media, mobile devices and a sense of anonymity. Help prevent the spread of online bullying by maintaining polite and courteous conversation while online. Do not post or tweet feeds that could be see as malicious or cause harm to another individual.

Learn how to get involved at your workplace, school or community center by visiting: http://www.stopbullying.gov/

This month is National Preparedness Month, so there is no better time than now to create your own disaster plan. At the very least, you should have an Emergency Preparedness Kit with the essentials for at least 3 days for your entire household. It never hurts to take the extra step and include extra supplies like a small tool kit or games to entertain your family. Also, it is essential to have a plan. Decide what kind of disaster could take place and base your plan around it. After you have made your plan, make sure that your family also is aware of it and practice your plan.

 The American Red Cross offers useful information to find out what you need to do and why it is important to prepare yourself in the event of an emergency. Follow this link to read it in full: http://preparesocal.org/tips-tools/make-a-plan

It's that time of year again where kids go back to school. Many parents that send their child off to school worry about their safety. Safeelectricity.org put together a list of tips and questions to ask about your child's dorming. It is a good article to look at, especially because it is aimed at older kids. Usually all electrical safety messages are aimed at young children. 

Check out the full article here: http://www.safeelectricity.org/information-center/library-of-articles/313