Chairman's Corner

Hello Vista!

CORNER CHAIRMAN'S

Chair of the Board dave Baldwin

As the new Chairman of the Board for the Vista Chamber of Commerce, I want to say THANK YOU for your continued support of the Vista business community and all that you do to make Vista such an amazing city! It is an absolute honor to be a part of this organization and to serve this community. I first joined the Vista Chamber of Commerce as an employee of a large financial services firm, and through the networking and relationships formed with other business leaders, I gained the confidence to branch out on my own as an Independent Financial Planner. Chamber membership also helped me with several other personal and professional achievements. I wrote and published my first book titled The Balancing Act (available at all major online bookstores) after meeting another Chamber member who specialized in helping authors self-publish books. Vista has provided so many opportunities for me as a great place to grow my business and also for my wife Andrea and me to raise our family. We attend North Coast Church here in Vista and lead a weekly Life Group bible study through the church. I am excited about the year ahead, especially when you think about where we have been. We recently held the annual Heroes of Vista event where we celebrate so many important people that make a difference in Vista. It was amazing to be back in person, mingling and visiting with city and business leaders, but what stood out to me was the theme that was chosen for this event. Past, present, and future. As I start this role with the Chamber, I can’t help but think about how significant that theme of past, present, and future is to this organization and this moment. The Chamber is almost 100 years old and I will have an opportunity to help make that centennial celebration special, but I am reminded of those who have held this post before me and the people and businesses that have formed this community into what it is today. I recognize how special it is to be here in this moment, seeing the city reemerge from the pandemic and get back to a more normal way of life. With the re-opening of Vista businesses and in-person live events, celebrating the present becomes so much more significant. The Strawberry Festival this past summer was estimated to be the most attended event in our history. The streets were crowded with festival-goers and thanks in part to a successful 5k run people from all over southern California came to our town to celebrate with us. The Moonlight Amphitheater has returned to a full schedule of live events and the construction along Paseo Santa Fe has transformed a portion of our city and made even more room for people to live and for businesses to thrive. As I look into the future of Vista, I know that others will take on this position and that many more city and business leaders will contribute to this community. I know that I must pass the torch to the next in line and that we all share the responsibility to leave our community to the next generation better than we found it. I ask that you take this step with me and invest in the future of the Vista business community by joining the Chamber, attending Chamber-sponsored events, and continuing to support local Vista businesses with our patronage. It is all of our responsibility to take care of the gift we have and to pass it along to whoever comes next. Dave

www.TheFilmHub.com www.TheFilmHubinc.com

www.TheFilmHub.com

7 Water Safety Tips for Kids

Swimming pool safety rules parents of little children should know

Robert Coles, MD, Pediatrician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Carlsbad.

When the weather gets hot, it’s nice to have a pool in the backyard where the kids can play and cool off. With proper preparation, pools can be both fun and very safe. Without it, accidents can happen. Young children are most at risk.

Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death in children younger than 4, right after car accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of these drownings unfortunately happen with unsupervised children.

“Young children are curious and like to explore, which is why it is so important to keep a close eye on them when they’re in or near water, and to never leave them alone or unsupervised,” says Robert Coles, MD, a pediatrician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Carlsbad. “Just as important is to know what to do in case of an accident.”

Follow these simple tips for water safety. 1. Never leave children alone in or near the pool for any reason

Constant and focused adult supervision helps keep children safe around water. That means no distractions that would take your eyes away from a child in or near a pool. “You want to make sure they’re staying safe,” Dr. Coles says. “Drowning can happen fast.” You can teach your children to swim to help lower the risk of drowning. Swim lessons can begin for many children as early as 1. Just understand that learning to swim is only one of several layers of protection against drowning. “Even if they’ve had swim lessons, they still need to be closely supervised when they are in or around water, Dr. Coles says.

2. Keep gated pools

Pool fencing is widely recommended to help prevent drownings. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into a pool that was not fenced off from the house.

Fences should be at least 4 feet high without anything that the child could use to climb over the fence. Gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be out a child’s reach. Slat space should be small enough to prevent a child to squeeze through the fence. A pool safety cover adds protection but should not be used in place of fencing between the house and the pool.

3. Go over pool rules

Go over the rules for how and when to use the pool with your children and review them again whenever there are guests using the pool. The basic pool rules are: • No diving headfirst into the shallow sections of the pool • No swimming alone

• No running, pushing or shoving

Post these rules near the pool and enforce them.

4. Designate a lifeguard

If you have a pool party, make sure a responsible adult is actively watching children in or near the water. Consider using a badge or a label to clearly identify them as a water watcher or designated lifeguard. Adult supervisors should not be engaged in activities that would distract their attention.

5. Don’t rely on floaties for water safety

Young children should wear a life jacket that is Coast Guard-approved when in or around water. Make sure they fit properly. Do not rely on floaties or other airfilled swimming aids. They are not safety devices.

6. Practice touch supervision

Whenever children under 5 are in or around the pool, an adult should be within arm’s reach of the child, even if he or she knows how to swim. This is known as touch supervision.

7. Learn CPR

Sometimes accidents happen. It’s important to know what to do in case of an emergency. Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills. CPR certification classes are available through the American Red Cross, hospitals and community centers.