Much like summertime, when you see your energy bills spike from using the A/C too often, wintertime is no different – but for opposite reasons. Rather than keep cool, you’ll be trying to stay warm! It’s no surprise that heating costs can take a toll on your budget and even cause unnecessary stress. But did you know that electric heating systems can total as much as 40% of your electric bill every month? While natural gas furnace heating can total more than half of your natural gas bill, there are several ways you can combat home heating costs and lower your electric bill. 

If you’d like to cut your energy expenses and contribute to reducing environmental emissions, check out these six no-cost and low-cost tips and prepare to save:

1. Consider using programmable thermostats or time clocks that regulate temperature, setting them at comfortable temperatures while awake and only lowering them when you sleep or are out of the house.

2. Use the sun to your advantage and naturally heat your home throughout the day by keeping curtains that face the sun open. 

3. Cover the inside of your window frames with clear plastic sheets to keep the heat from escaping your home or install insulated shades/drapes.

4. Use a portable space heater to warm up the rooms you spend the most time in, if possible.

5. If you have a fireplace, ensure the damper is closed to prevent the cold from coming in and the heat from escaping. And if you don’t use your fireplace, consider sealing/plugging the chimney flue.

6. Keep your heating systems in top shape by scheduling maintenance and changing the filter once a month (or when necessary).

For more tips to reduce your energy usage, visit sdge.com/energy-tips.

Think smart. Don’t leave your safety to chance. Take steps to prepare for any emergency now. Here are some ways to get ready for an emergency.

Update your contact information: Go to sdge.com/MyAccount. Click on “Manage My Account” to update your contact information, including email address.

Sign up for power outage notifications: Click on the “Alerts and Subscriptions” tab. Select “Outage Notifications” from the drop-down menu. Select how you want to stay informed, e.g. email, text and/or phone.

Develop an emergency plan: Identify a place to meet with family including safe routes and shelters, as well as what actions you will take. Discuss and practice the plan with your family, including your kids.

Prepare an emergency kit: Keep the essentials on hand. Make sure your kit is stocked with items you and your family need, including for your pets, seniors and those with a disability. Store items in easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks or plastic crates. 

Help your neighbors: Being a good neighbor takes more than sharing the occasional cup of sugar or hosting a potluck. It’s important to help our neighbors during emergencies, especially the elderly and disabled. 

​​#staysafe #sdge

During an emergency, every second counts. Thoughtful planning can help keep you safe and reduce the stress of having to scramble for what you need most. Prepare an emergency kit to help safeguard yourself and your loved ones from unexpected emergencies like earthquakes, floods or fires. Don’t forget to outline a family plan and practice safety drills before the need arises.
Being prepared means having food, water and supplies to last for at least 3 days. An emergency kit is a collection of basic items your family may need. Since you don’t know when a disaster will occur, prepare an emergency kit for your home, work and your vehicle.

Here are some items to consider adding to your emergency kit -

1. Non-perishable food; nutrition bars, tuna (don’t forget the can opener,) peanut butter, crackers
2. Water – one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation
3. First aid supplies
4. Change of clothes including a jacket, durable gloves and sturdy shoes to provide protection from broken glass and other debris
5. Rope for towing or rescue
6. Plastic sheeting and tape
7. Moist towelettes, trash bags
8. Cell phone and charger
9. Important family documents such as passports
10. Knife, screwdriver and other basic tools
11. Candles and waterproof matches
12. Food for pets, bowls, pet carriers
13. Recreational supplies like games or books for children and adults
14. Blankets or sleeping bags
15. Portable radio, flashlight and extra batteries
16. Essential medications and eyeglasses
17. Cash
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Know how to manually open your garage door for easier access out of your home. Be sure to update your contact information with SDG&E. Visit sdge.com/myaccount and choose “manage my account.” You can also sign up for alerts like outage notifications at sdge.com/alerts. Find a host of emergency checklists for home and work on sdge.com/checklist. 

Source:  Dolman Law Group | February 13, 2017 | Defective Medications and Bad Drugs

The detrimental effects of the Mirena IUD to users are many, with the worst being migration of the device, puncturing the uterine wall and damaging organs within the body cavity such as the liver and intestines. Other possible side effects are ectopic pregnancy, fatigue, depression, mood swings, painful cramps and many more. Many women who are opting to have the Mirena IUD removed to avoid complications are experiencing many of the symptoms that they sought to avoid. These symptoms also occur with women who had the device removed after the prescribed duration of five years. These detrimental effects, known as the Mirena crash, or Mirena IUD crash, can occur for weeks or even months after removal of the device. In a great number of women, the symptoms were severe enough to negatively impact their lives.

The Mirena IUD is a T shaped device that is implanted in the uterus, containing a reservoir of synthetic progesterone which is slowly released. This synthetic product, Levonorgestral, causes a thickening of the mucous membrane inhibiting the travel of sperm, preventing pregnancy.

Mirena Crash after Removal

So, what is the Mirena crash? The Mirena crash is the name given to the symptoms of pain and discomfort that are prompted when the birth-control device is removed and the flow of synthetic hormones stop. It can be weeks or longer before the body realizes it needs to produce its own progesterone because it has become “lazy”, relying on the synthetic provision. This causes hormone imbalance or estrogen dominance. This same period of time reflects the Mirena crash duration. In many women this imbalance causes severe symptoms similar to those associated with the usage of the device. In some women, Mirena crash symptoms appear recurrently before each period, lasting for months. Some other women suffer for extended periods of time both physically and emotionally at any time, day or night. One sufferer described her feelings as being “smothered with severe despair” at night.

How long does the Mirena crash last?

Some women have reported the crash only lasting a few days, while others report weeks or months.
Medically speaking, there is no way to tell. This is because it all depends on how long your body takes to return to a normal hormonal balance. The sooner this happens, the sooner the symptoms will dissipate.

Mirena Crash Symptoms

Mirena crash symptoms include:

Runaway emotions such as anxiety, sadness, anger and depression. Severe cases have produced suicidal thoughts.

Frequent mood swings that can strain relationships and effect work performance

Lethargy

Physical symptoms such as muscle fatigue, cough, sore throat and even fever which are often misdiagnosed

Nausea, vomiting and stomach pain

Breast tenderness

Decreased sex drive and painful sex

Denial of Mirena Crash

Many physicians will not acknowledge the side effects as being attributable to the Mirena crash after the device has been removed for a period of time. They only rely on the information provided by Bayer the producer of the product. Women are told that their tests are normal and their symptoms are blamed on a number of different causes from anxiety to early menopause. The fact the every woman can experience different reactions makes the doctors accurate diagnoses and treatment less likely.

Mood Swings after Mirena Removal

The symptoms associated with the removal of the Mirena IUD are not necessarily life-threatening, although that’s not to say they’re not painful. However, one symptom does pose some risk, the emotional effects. According to a study of Mirena removal, depression occurs in 36% of women under the age of 33 with a higher percentage for those 34 and older. Once the device has been removed and hormone levels are disrupted, patients often experience changes in mood. These range from depression, sudden mood swings, and abnormal behavior. This is caused by the abrupt changes in the concentration of hormones, which disrupts the way the brain and body functions. One of these emotional changes (or a combination of them all) is the possibility of suicidal thoughts. Obviously, this poses a serious risk if severe. If you are experiencing this symptom, speak to a healthcare professional right away. 

Emotional symptoms of Mirena removal may include:

Consistent sadness, hopelessness, and/or anxiety

Mood swings and irritability

Feeling of always being tired

Trouble concentrating

Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities

Excessive sleeping or insomnia

Changes in appetite

Thoughts of suicide

Other Mirena IUD Complications

Mirena IUD can cause other serious complications besides the hormone imbalance referenced above. In fact, Mirena has been known to cause birth injuries to babies who are conceived and carried by women who still have a Mirena IUD in place, posing a serious risk to the developing fetus. This is especially true if the IUD is not removed early on in the pregnancy. Becoming pregnant while your IUD device is still in place can also cause ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, premature birth, and even birth defects and fetal abnormalities.

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/mirena-crash-lawyers/

Wildfires, earthquakes and flooding all pose serious risks to our community. Though we can’t eliminate the threat of these emergency situations entirely, we can help you prepare for them. Here are 3 actions you can take today to get you started:

1. Create a personalized emergency supply kit for your home, car and office. You never know where you will be in the event of an emergency.
2. Develop an emergency plan for you and your family. Be prepared for the unexpected.
3. Update your contact information so you can stay informed. Be emergency-ready. Be prepared to keep yourself and your family safe.

​Visit sdge.com/wildfiresafety today to make any changes to your personal information and learn more about what you can do to keep you and your family safe. Also, you’ll be able to explore some of the projects SDG&E is working on now to keep you and the community safe.

Time is money. When you use energy determines how much you can save. Every little bit counts when it comes to saving energy. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Keep blinds, curtains and other window coverings closed during summer days to help block unwanted heat and reduce cooling costs
• Program your thermostat to precool your home to a lower temperature up to three hours before 4 p.m.
• When possible, use heat-generating appliances such as washers, dryers and dishwashers later in the evening during off peak-hours.
• Set your time to run your pool pump during off-peak hours when energy prices are lower.

Find more summer tips at sdge.com/whenmatters
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Surprises are for birthdays, not your energy bills. To help you manage them this summer, SDG&E has a program called Level Pay.

Here’s how it works:

Level Pay starts with the average dollar amount on your last twelve energy bills. You’ll be billed this same amount for the first three months, even if your energy use varies. After that, your payment amount is adjusted once every three months, based upon your actual energy use.

On each monthly bill, we’ll also show you how much energy you actually used, as well as the cost. Download the Level Pay brochure and learn more at sdge.com/levelpay
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Enrolling is easy
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Visit sdge.com/levelpay to enroll now.

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By:  MICAIAH BILGER

​One of the biggest companies in the world dedicated to children’s entertainment is threatening to boycott Georgia over its new pro-life law.

On Wednesday, Disney CEO Robert Iger told Reuters that they probably will stop filming in Georgia if its abortion ban goes into effect, USA Today reports.

The law protects unborn babies by banning abortions once their heartbeats are detectable, about six weeks. However, abortion advocacy groups plan to challenge the law in court.

“I rather doubt we will [continue shooting in Georgia,]” Iger said.

He said he is watching “very carefully” to see how the legal battle unfolds.

“I think many people who work for us will not want to work there and we will have to heed their wishes in that regard,” Iger said. “I don’t see how it’s practical for us to continue to shoot there.”

Georgia is a popular filming location for TV and movies because of its generous tax breaks. Disney recently filmed “Avengers: Endgame” and “Black Panther” there, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Earlier this week, Netflix said it also may boycott the state for protecting unborn babies from abortions

Actress Alyssa Milano has been pushing for a boycott for months, but, until this week, only a few small film and TV projects have stopped working there.

Earlier this spring, dozens of liberal celebrities, including “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill, said they plan boycott the state because of the heartbeat law. Milano also is urging women to go on a “sex strike” to protest.

Some companies opposed the pro-life measure as well, including Amazon.com and Coca-Cola Co., The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports.

Despite these threats, Gov. Brian Kemp signed the heartbeat bill into law earlier this month.

The Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act would ban abortions on an unborn baby after their heartbeat is detectable, around six weeks. It would allow exceptions for rape, incest and threats to the mother’s life. In addition, the bill would allow parents to claim unborn babies as dependents on their taxes and include the unborn baby in census data. It also would allow mothers to collect child support for pregnancy and delivery costs from the father prior to the baby’s birth.

The ACLU said it will sue to block the law in court.

Kemp commented on the Hollywood boycotts earlier this month.

“I understand that some folks don’t like this new law. I’m fine with that,” the Republican governor told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “We’re elected to do what’s right – and standing up for precious life is always the right thing to do. We are the party of freedom and opportunity. We value and protect innocent life — even though that makes C-list celebrities squawk.”

Some pro-lifers have renewed hope that the new conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court will uphold an abortion ban and overturn Roe v. Wade. Others, however, are hesitant because of concerns about losing the court battle and being forced to reimburse pro-abortion groups for their legal fees.

Recently, a federal judge blocked Kentucky’s new heartbeat bill. In January, a judge also declared Iowa’s heartbeat law unconstitutional. North Dakota and Arkansas passed heartbeat bills several years ago, but federal courts struck down their laws as well.

There is more hope that the U.S. Supreme Court may consider an abortion ban, but it is difficult to say if it would for certain

ACTION: Contact the Walt Disney Company here. Contact CEO Bob Iger through Twitter here.

Source:  LifeNews.com

Throughout California, businesses are already paying electricity costs based on when it’s used. Residential households will start making the switch to Time-of-Use pricing plans in March. These plans give you more choice and control for managing your energy use. With these plans, prices are lower all day except between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

How it works
With Time-of-Use, when you use energy is as important as how much you use. With these pricing plans, energy prices are different based on the time of day. Each day is broken into different time periods; on-peak, off-peak and super off-peak.

Energy costs are lower during off-peak and super off-peak time periods and highest during the on-peak period. No matter the size of your household, shifting some of your energy habits can have a positive impact on your monthly bill.

What’s the timing?
Residential customers will begin to transition to Time-of-Use pricing plans in March. Be on the lookout for more details in the mail. If you want to learn more, watch our videos at sdge.com/whenmatters.
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