New California Law Smoke and Carbon Monoxice Detectors

New Law Requires Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Homes

California residents should be aware that as of July 1, 2011, the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 (SB 183) requires many homeowners, landlords, apartment managers, and builders to install a carbon monoxide detector, as well as a smoke detector to prevent accidental deaths. Those who don't could receive a 30-day notice to comply, or face a fine of up to $200.

Every year, carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for 30-40 accidental deaths in our state - deaths which could have been easily prevented with the help of an electronic device which emits an alarm whenever carbon monoxide levels reach a certain level. The danger of carbon monoxide, CO, is that it is a colorless, odorless gas, which can lead to asphyxiation. Victims are often silently robbed of oxygen while they sleep, never to wake up.

In an effort to greatly reduce the likelihood of more tragic deaths by CO poisoning, the state of California is requiring certified carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in homes that use fossil fuel burning appliances, have a fireplace or an attached garage.

Carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased at most hardware stores and start at around $19.99. When choosing a device for your home, make sure to check reviews and product information online. After a quick review of available devices, it seems you get what you pay for. Smart consumers will want to do a little research before selecting a product that should last several years, and give you the peace of mind it is meant to ensure. Spending a few more dollars up front may save you a lot of headaches (or even your life) in the long run.

Los Algodones Anniversary # 117

July 17, 2011 at 8:00 pm. in the City of Mexicali

Anniversary of Los Algodones 117 Years

117 Anniversary of Los Algodones / 117th Anniversary Los Algodones Location: Los Algodones Information: Municipal Delegation Tel: (01 658) 51 7-78-45

In Los Algodones Saturday 17 July 2011
The Park
Rides, Entertainment, Foods of all kinds.

Mexico, California and Arizona Gullain-Barre Syndrome

Getting hands full of medical problems in the area this year.
Investigation of Gullain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Yuma County, Arizona Posted on July 14, 2011
Yuma County, Arizona, and San Luis, Sonora, have recently seen an increase in Campylobacter infection/acute diarrheal illness and Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a complication of campylobacteriosis, within their respective communities. This is significant because GBS is a devastating illness that can cause paralysis. In some cases the paralysis is permanent.
The Yuma County Health District, along with the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Sonora health officials are working together to conduct an investigation into the source(s) of these health conditions.
“An investigation of this nature takes a lot of time and a lot of people. It’s like putting a puzzle together. You need all the pieces before you see the picture,” said Becky Brooks, Director of Yuma County Health District. “The response from all agencies has been great, and the expertise from each has certainly contributed to the investigation.”
Health officials from Arizona and Sonora have also conducted outreach and education and have asked physicians and hospitals to watch for the signs of GBS or Campylobacter infection and quickly contact their local health department with any possible cases.
Yuma County recommends the following:
Seek medical care if you develop gastrointestinal symptoms
Don’t prepare food for others if you have diarrhea or vomiting.
Be especially careful preparing food for children, pregnant women, those in poor health and older adults.
Washing your hands is the single most important thing you can do to prevent illness.

Mexico, California and Arizona Valley Fever

Mexico, California and Arizona Valley Fever Reprinted from KSWT News (Mauricio Marin)

Yuma, AZ -- Valley Fever germs uprooted by recent dust storms.

Yuma Regional Medical Center Infection Prevention nurse Jill Labossiere explains what Valley Fever is, "valley fever is a fungus found naturally here and it's in our soil."

Winds gusts as strong as 50 miles per hour last week stirred up huge dust clouds. Underneath it all, a harmful germ has been uprooted.

Labossiere says, "when soil becomes disturbed, that be through nature, like the dust storms about a week or so, the fungus clings to the soil. The soil becomes in the air and we share that air. We breath that air. We get the fungus in our bodies."

According to Labossiere, a number of cases are found locally, "50,000 people in the United States develop Valley Fever, the disease. 2/3's of those people are in Arizona."

Specifically, in nearby counties including Maricopa county, Pinal county and Pima county.

However, Labossiere says most people's immune systems will fight the fungus,"healthy people like you and I can breath the fungus germ. We may have no symptoms. We may never have symptoms. We may never ever know we have the germ. But if you have a chronic health condition than you're at a lot higher risk and you really need to watch for symptoms."

Valley Fever symptoms are flu like. They're usually noticed about a week after exposure or even up to a month afterwards. Labossiere says one key difference, many Valley Fever patients begin to develop skin rashes.

She says exposure is higher with dust storms, like the ones we've seen recently,"if you were out in the dust storm or any dust storm in Arizona and develop symptoms or a weird rash or flu like symptoms call your doctor and just double check it to be sure you have it or you don't have it."

Mexico Mexicali Valley

Mexicali, Mexico -

If you plan to drive into Mexico this weekend, be careful!

Mexican police say car thefts are way up in several border cities.

Mexicali has especially seen a spike in car thefts, with a 79% rise in reported cases when compared to this time last year.

Since January of this year, Mexicali police say they've received almost 4,000 reports of stolen cars, and the majority of stolen vehicles had American plates.

Among the most targeted models are Honda Accords and Civics as well as Nissan Sentras and Altimas.

Police say travelers should be extra careful not to leave any valuables visible in their cars, and make sure to park only in public, well-lit areas.

Los Algodones Mexicali Valley - Amoeba

Mexicali, Mexico -
Health officials in Baja California say potential drownings are not the only danger people need to be aware of if they choose to swim in a canal.
The state's Secretary of Health says his office has discovered evidence of the so-called "free living amoeba" in canals all over the Mexicali Valley.
The amoeba lives in canal water and can enter the human body through the nose, mouth or even ears, and can cause high fevers as well as meningitis, which can lead to death.
So far this year no deaths from the amoeba have been reported, but the Baja California department of health says there is no treatment or cure for the amoeba, which has killed several people in the past.
They say the only way to avoid becoming infected with the amoeba is to avoid going into canals where the microorganism thrives.