www.masbakersfield.com

More than 2,500 attendees came out to the East Hills Mall last weekend to learn how to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.

With more than 35 vendors, the first ever Women’s & Children’s Health & Safety Expo sponsored by MÁS magazine was a success.

“There is a strong desire from our community to want to lead healthier and safer lives,” said Olivia Garcia, MÁS magazine managing editor. “Participants and their families were walking around with bags filled with information and contacts for health and safety needs. We look forward to having another event like this in the future.”

Veronica Perez, a pharmacy technician with Faast Pharmacy, said the event was a perfect opportunity to help and educate the community and potential customers about the services that the pharmacy has to offer.

“When MÁS came to us with this idea we had to participate,” said Perez. “We’re here to help our customers and keep them healthy.”

Throughout the mall, vendors set up early on Aug. 12 and waited anxiously for people to visit them with their health and safety questions.

Each booth also handed out edible goodies, samples or health or safety related pamphlets/packets.

Eneida Ramirez, 23, heard about the event from her mother. She, her mother and two daughters, Alexia, 4; and Juliana, 3, attended the Expo.

Ramirez said she was pleased with all the information available at each vendor station.

“It’s great to have all this health information in one place,” said Ramirez. “It’s good to know how to keep our families and ourselves healthy. Most times, it’s the women who are in charge of keeping the family safe and healthy.”

During the 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. event, some of the activities that took place included First Aid training, cholesterol checks, blood pressure checks and car seat installation by the Bakersfield Police Department.