Kids, Love them hate them we are responsible for giving them the best and guiding them during their childhood. Like taking care of a potted plan it is not an easy task to undertake.
It takes a really experienced gardener to know the type of soil and method of pruning which is needed for the plant to reach it’s optimal beauty. Taking care and pruning the child as he/she grows is really not as easy. There are simply too many changing internal and external factors to consider and it certainly can be mind boggling.
It is really by trial and error that we as parents learn what type of “soil and fertilizers” are suitable for our kids. The type of pruning shears that we use also affects the ability to gain independence and acquire the necessary skills to survive in life.
We want to protect them while at the same time give them the opportunity to make their own mistakes and gain experience. It is ideal that the kids learn at their own pace however sometimes circumstances or the environment that we are in do not permit it. Sometimes the kids do need the extra prodding to stretch them and to make sure that they reach their potential. It can be a real dilemma.
Dengue Fever has been on the rise this year. 5023 cases have been reported to date since Jan 2013 and then numbers are still rising. You just have to look at the statistics above and you would be alarmed that nearly 500 cases has been reported in the past week alone!! The figures for 2013 so far have already exceeded the 4632 cases which were reported in 2012.
Living in one of the hot spots for Dengue fever as identified by the “hotspots” shown on the Dengue website has put me on the alert. The area is defined as code RED by the Color Coded Alert System and it has made me extremely worried and cautious about my living environment.
It would be a real nightmare if any of the kids came down with Dengue fever as I know first hand how the disease can really deplete your health when my late grandfather came down with Dengue fever seven years ago. He suffered from low levels of blood platelets and had to be hospitalized for over a week when he was stung by an Ades Mosquito. It was a really horrific episode for the family as he was seriously ill during that episode.
The spread of the Dengue Fever is through the Ades Mosquito. It can be stopped if we all play our part in preventing the mosquito from breeding by removing the stagnant water around us.
To heighten Public awareness of the importance for Dengue prevention, NEA kicked off it’s Mozzie Wipeout Campaign at Senga Cashew CC and 3 other locations on the 28th of April. I was there at Senga Cashew CC to witness the kick-off and to see first hand how we can play our part by actively participating in this campaign.
Fight Dengue Together by doing the Mozzie Wipeout
The 5-Step Mozzie Wipeout, which NEA is advocating takes only 5 minutes to complete.
The steps include:
Change water in vases/bowls on alternate days
Turn over all water storage containers
Remove water from flower pot plates on alternate days
Clear blockages and put BTI insecticide in roof gutters monthly
Cover bamboo pole holders when not in use
You can watch the video below to see the steps in action.
If you would like to have the latest community updates and read stories on the experiences of dengue survivors head over to the Stop Dengue Now Facebook page. You can also follow @NEAsg on twitter for live updates.
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