After a few weeks of being under a stay-at-home order, it’s no secret that our pets can help to provide us company and support during this time of uncertainty. We have all had some sort of loss to our normal daily routines. Some of us are at home 24/7, while some of us continue to drive into work and come home to a different atmosphere. It’s clear that this pandemic has put an emotional strain on all of us. 

​Pets are the ones getting us through this and serving as our coping companion. They offer us nonjudgmental emotional support. Megan Mueller, A08, G10, G13, the Elizabeth Arnold Stevens Junior Professor at Cummings School and a researcher says that studies show that “contact with pets help reduces stress and anxiety, particularly when you are experiencing a stressful situation.”

Pets are especially wonderful in helping seniors in a time of social isolation and loneliness. Their pets give them a sense of normalcy. They have a companion and something to care for when they get out of bed in the morning.

In a time where we can only virtually meet with friends and family, we should spend more time with our pets who are the ones that are physically there for us. Our pets also give us a reason to take a break from working at home. Head into the backyard with your dog for a few minutes of fresh air. It’s great  for both of you. Our animals are what is keeping us going through this difficult time. 

Below are some fun pet videos that I have found entertaining throughout my extra time spent at home:

• 🤣 Funniest🐶 Dogs and😻Cats - Awesome Funny Pet Animals Videos 😇 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkD2nN5275c
• Try Not To Laugh At This Ultimate Funny Dog Video Compilation | Funny Pet Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcL0MeVZIxM&t=783
  
• ​Super Cute Animals 🔴 Funny and Cute Animal Videos Compilation (2018) Animales Adorables Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9OMAX91oyw
  
• Funny Animals ; Funny video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb3a4c-FILc

Today is Friday the 13th. As we all know, it is a day that many consider to be unlucky. CBS Miami put together a great article about the origins of this day. Where did the idea of bad luck come from and is it actually true? "Not likely, but don’t tell that to someone who hides under the covers every time Friday the 13th rolls around on the calendar because that person probably suffers from paraskevidekatriaphobia, the scientific word for someone who has a fear of Friday the 13th. It’s derived from the Greek words for Friday and thirteen with phobia, or fear, tacked on.

There are many theories about why Fridays which fall on the 13th day of the month are unlucky. Some believe that the Friday the 13th superstition has an origin in Norse mythology. In one story, the evil god Loki is said to have crashed a party with 12 guests and tricked the blind god Hod into killing his brother Balder, the god of light, joy and reconciliation.
Also, according to Norse mythology, it was the Vikings who decided a hangman’s noose should have 13 loops and in British tradition, Friday was the conventional day for public hangings, and there were supposedly 13 steps leading up to the noose.

Others believe Friday the 13th has origins in Christianity. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified on a Friday, and there were 13 men at the Last Supper — Jesus and his 12 disciples. In addition, Judas the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table and, for that reason, 13 is considered to carry a curse of sorts.
At some places it is also believed that it was Friday the 13th when Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit.

Another significant piece of the legend is a particularly bad Friday the 13th that occurred in the Middle Ages. On this day in 1306, King Philip of France arrested the revered Knights Templar and began torturing them, marking the occasion as a day of evil. Both Friday and the number 13 were once closely associated with capital punishment.
In Numerology, every number has a particular meaning. The number 13 symbolizes “Death”. It’s a picture of a skeleton with a scythe, reaping down men.

Tradition also has it that God confounded languages at the tower of Babel on a Friday the 13th, and Solomon’s Temple was destroyed on a Friday the 13th.

Friday is named for Frigga, the goddess of love and fertility who was exiled in shame to a mountain and labeled a witch. Some believe that every Friday, Frigga held a meeting with 11 other witches and the devil – a group of 13 – and plotted ill deeds for the upcoming week.

By some estimates, businesses lose millions of dollars on Friday the 13th because people are hesitant to make deals, travel or shop as they would at other times.

In France, a dinner for 13 is thought to be unlucky, and superstitious hosts may hire a “quatorzieme,” a professional 14th guest.

Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue and there is no gate 13 at many airports, the numbers go from twelve to fourteen.

The state lotteries of France, Italy and elsewhere never sell tickets with the number 13.

The fear of 13 has also prompted most high-rise buildings not to have a 13th floor. Hotels do not have room number 13.

​But no matter what the origin, the fact is that many people are superstitious about the number 13 and are highly superstitious when it falls on Friday.
Any month’s 13th day will fall on a Friday if the month starts on a Sunday."'

See the full article at CBS Miami here

Congratulations to Albert Arambula on 30 years with Griff's Electric! He is a great guy to work with, and our customers agree! He will be enjoying a stay with his wife in Temecula wine country to celebrate this great achievement. Here's to many more years, Albert!

Today, Albert serves as the Supervisor but, 30 years ago, Albert was just about ready to graduate from high school. He wasn't exactly sure what he wanted for his career path. One day while he was sitting in his electrical class, Griff came in looking for an apprentice electrician. Griff had also attended Paramount High School, and taken the same electrical class. Griff gave out about five applications to the students and Albert turned his back in unsure of what would come of it. After graduation, Albert got a call from Griff in July to see if he was still interested in becoming an apprentice. On August 10th, he began his first official day with the company. 

Albert has enjoyed working and learning from previous co-workers. His first two co-workers, and Griff, taught him a lot on the job. Albert learned everything on the job that it takes to be an electrician. Throughout the years, Albert continued to learn and work his way up the career ladder as an electrician. These days, Albert enjoys motor control and troubleshooting work the most when he is out in the field.

He says that it has been a pleasure working at Griff's Electric for the past 30 years and looks forward to many more years with the company!

Along with summer fun comes the summer heat. It can be a challenge to stay cool all season long while constantly running your air conditioning and fans. Check out the information put together by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) below:

"Hot weather brings increased use of air conditioners. Contact with electric current from air conditioners accounts for a significant number of electrocutions and electrical injuries each year.
ESFI recommends that you always contact a qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home, including the installation and services of air conditioning and other cooling equipment.
Facts and Statistics

• According to the CPSC, 15% of consumer-product related electrocutions are attributed to large appliances. These electrocutions occur most commonly while someone is attempting to service or repair the appliance.
• In 2006, an estimated 33,500 injuries were reported to hospital emergency rooms as involving air conditioners, fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and heat pumps. The leading types of injuries were laceration (14,890), contusion or abrasion (6,110), and strain or sprain (4,430).
• In 2006, air conditioning or related equipment was involved in an estimated 7,400 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated losses of 270 civilian injuries and $200 million indirect property damage.
• In 2003-2006, the 7,000 reported home structure fires per year involving air conditioning and related equipment included 2,400 per year involving central and room air conditioners specifically and 3,700 per year involving fans.
• In 1995-2003 (excluding 1999, which was not reported), there were 11.5 electrocution deaths per year involving air conditioners and 4.3 electrocution deaths per year involving fans.

Cooling Equipment Safety Tips

• Keep safety in mind when selecting cooling equipment for your home.
• Have a qualified, licensed electrician install and service any electrical equipment in your home.
• Have electric-powered equipment inspected and maintained regularly for safety.
• Make sure your equipment has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory."

Check out the full article on the ESFI website at the following link: www.esfi.org/resource/air-conditioner-and-fan-safety-292

☼ Happy First Day of Summer! What better way to start off summer than to head outside and have fun! Check out the list below of summer safety tips put together by the American Academy of Pediatrics. You'll be sure to have a healthy and safe summer with these tips in mind! ☼

FIREWORKS SAFETY

• Fireworks can result in severe burns, blindness, scars, and even death.
• Fireworks that are often thought to be safe, such as sparklers, can reach temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, and can burn users and bystanders.
• Families should attend community fireworks displays run by professionals rather than using fireworks at home.
• The AAP recommends prohibiting public sale of all fireworks, including those by mail or the Internet. 

BUG SAFETY

• Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
• Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
• If possible, eliminate stagnant water, such as in bird baths or fish ponds, in your yard. Dump any buckets or tires that may contain standing water. Check that your window screens are tightly fitted and repair any holes to keep bugs out of the house.
• Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
• To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently back it out by scraping it with a credit card or your fingernail.
• Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because the sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but insect repellent should not be reapplied that often.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET when needed to prevent insect-related diseases. Ticks can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes can transmit West Nile, Zika virus, Chikungunya virus and other viruses.
• The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than 2 months of age is to use 10% to 30% DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months of age.
• The effectiveness is similar for 10% to 30% DEET but the duration of effect varies. Ten percent DEET provides protection for about 2 hours, and 30% protects for about 5 hours. Choose the lowest concentration that will provide the required length of protection.
• The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. Children should wash off repellents when they return indoors.
• As an alternative to DEET, picaridin has become available in the U.S. in concentrations of 5% to 10%.
• When outside in the evenings or other times when there are a lot of mosquitoes present, cover up with long sleeved shirts, pants and socks to prevent bites.
• Children should wear hats to protect against ticks when walking in the woods, high grasses or bushes.  Check hair and skin for ticks at the end of the day.

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES

• Children who are too young to have a driver's license should not be allowed to operate or ride off-road vehicles. Children are involved in about 30 percent of all ATV-related deaths and emergency room-treated injuries.
• Because their nervous systems and judgment have not fully developed, off-road vehicles are particularly dangerous for children younger than 16 years.
• Don't ride double. Passengers are frequently injured when riding ATVs. Most ATVs are designed to carry only one person: the driver. Passengers can make ATVs unstable and difficult to control.
• All ATV riders should take a hands-on safety training course.
• All riders should wear helmets, eye protection, sturdy shoes (no flip-flops), and protective, reflective clothing. Appropriate helmets are those designed for motorcycle (not bicycle) use, and should include safety visors/face shields for eye protection. Wearing a helmet may prevent or reduce the severity of  injuries.
• ATVs lack the common safety equipment found on all cars and trucks that are designed for street use. ATV tires are not designed to grip on pavement, so operators should not ride on paved roads. Parents should never permit nighttime riding or street use of off-road vehicles.
• Flags, reflectors and lights should be used to make vehicles more visible.
• Drivers of recreational vehicles should not drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or even some prescription medicines. Parents should set an example for their children in this regard.
• Young drivers should be discouraged from on-road riding of any 2-wheeled motorized cycle, even when they are licensed to do so, because they are inherently more dangerous than passenger cars. 

See the full article at: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/pages/summer-safety-tips.aspx#sthash.QKO6ouS0.dpuf

May is Electrical Safety Month and it is our goal to educate others about electrical safety in their home or workplace. We urge you to read the following tips and facts found on the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) website to keep you and your loved ones safe wherever you are.​ Check out the diagrams below regarding tamper proof receptacles and surge protection to keep safe around the home.

Tamper Resistant Receptacles for Child Proofing​:

Have you ever wondered how your Valentine's Day chocolates opinions compare to others? Below are a list of fun facts put together by the National Confectioners Association for Valentine's Day.

How Sweet It Is:

• 83 percent of Americans usually share candy with friends and family for Valentine’s Day.*

• Chocolate sales represent 75 percent or more of Valentine’s Day candy purchases.

Sweets for the Sweet:

• Americans overwhelming prefer chocolate (69 percent) to flowers on Valentine’s Day (31 percent), but women are little more divided on the issue with 59% preferring chocolate compared to the 83 percent of men who would rather have chocolate than flowers.*
• Caramels are the most popular flavor in a box of Valentine’s Day chocolates (with 34 percent of respondents choosing them as their favorite). Chocolate-covered nuts scored high as well with 24 percent of the vote. Coming in with fewer, but just as devoted, fans are chocolate-filled (13 percent), cream-filled (13 percent) and coconut (10).*

Red and White and Pink All Over:

• When buying seasonal candy/chocolate, nearly 65 percent of us believe it should feature seasonal packaging and colors, such as red and pink for Valentine’s Day.*

Moderation is the Key:

• Seventy four percent of Americans agree that eating healthfully can include the enjoyment of seasonal candy.*
• According to a report in the British Medical Journal, people who eat chocolate the most often have a 37 percent lower risk of heart disease, a 31 percent reduced risk of diabetes, and a 29 percent lower risk of stroke compared with those who ate the least.

Shopper Preferences:

• Personal preferences influence 91 percent of shoppers when purchasing a particular kind/type of seasonal chocolate or candy with price and family preferences also influencing some shoppers.
• * NCA’s 2014 consumer survey of 1,335 American adults

Read the full article on the National Confectioners Association website here


♥♥♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥♥♥

• Did you know that 898 new laws will go into effect in California?  The breakdown is that there were 898 bills that the governor signed into law, 159 bills the governor vetoed and 2 that became a law without the governor signing them. We have compiled a list of some of the most noteworthy laws.

​

• Minimum wage: Bumps up by 50 cents to $10.50 for businesses with 26 or more employees, as part of an incremental increase to reach $15 by 2022.
• Drinking at salons: Beginning Jan. 1, beauty salons and barber shops will be allowed to serve free wine or beer to their clients until 10 p.m.
• Gender-neutral bathrooms: Beginning March 1, it will be required for all single-user toilet facilities in any business or public place to be all-gender facilities.
• Right-to-die: Terminally ill patients in California will be allowed to use experimental drugs, which do not have full regulatory approval, to decide when they want to end their lives. It authorizes, but does not require health plans to cover investigational drugs and protects physicians from disciplinary actions if they recommend them once other treatment options have been exhausted.
• School mascots: Beginning Jan. 1, California public schools will be banned from using the name “Redskins” for sports teams and mascots.
• Assault weapons: Voters passed a law that requires Californians who own gun magazines with more than 10 rounds to give them up starting July 1. Buyers must undergo a background check before buying ammunition and will be barred from buying new weapons that have a bullet button, which were developed by gun manufacturers to get around the state’s assault weapons ban.
• Vehicle registration fee: The vehicle registration fee on every vehicle or trailer coach will increase from $43 to $53 beginning April 1.​
• ​Cell Phone Use While Driving: You will no longer be able to handle your phone while driving, unless it is one swipe or tap on the screen while your phone is mounted.

Ten years ago, would you have thought that we would already have access to self driving cars? They are no longer just a futuristic idea. "Companies like Mercedes, BMW and Tesla have already released, or are soon to release, self-driving features that give the car some ability to drive itself." Other companies, like Google, are also developing driverless cars.

BI Intelligence put together an in-depth report that estimates that with the current state of the self-driving care, we may see 10 million are on the road with self-driving features by 2020. One of the greatest benefits of this type of technology is that they will help make the roads safer, as well as make people's lives easier.

How do you feel about this new technology? Will this be a feature you will look for in your next car purchase?

Click here to read the full article by John Greenough at BuisnessInsider.com