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Weather-Related Disasters Lead to Opportunities, Lessons

Recent records were set for weather-related disasters, with repair costs in the multibillion-dollar range. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has kept a yearly count of floods, heatwaves, tropical storms, hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires since 1980. In terms of frequency and severity, these events have risen exponentially.

In 2020, we saw unprecedented wildfires in the West, six hurricanes in the South, numerous tropical storms, tornadoes, an ice storm with hail the size of softballs, and a derecho windstorm responsible for tearing up crop fields, homes, and businesses across the Midwest. These weather-related catastrophes lead to states of emergency in multiple regions across the United States. Thousands of plants, animals, and people died. Additionally, the monetary repercussions totaled $96 billion.

Conversely, a fruit crop freeze led to disaster in Florida. Combined with a few storms and tornadoes scattered throughout the country, 1981’s financial total for cleanup due to weather-related disasters was a mere $2.9 billion.

Record snowfall, below-average temperatures, ice storms, record-breaking fires, and mass floods have knocked out power across Texas, California, and Michigan so far this year.

Brett Brenner, president of the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), said, “We’re just not prepared for disasters of this scale. From what we’re seeing in the electrical trades, most of the time, it’s complacency and less-experienced people [DIY homeowners setting up equipment or business owners reusing damaged equipment] coming into the picture that are the cause of injuries. It’s not so much about what we aren’t already equipped to handle.”

Therefore, these unanticipated risks are caused by human intervention rather than climate. ESFI is dedicated to educating the public on what they can do to reduce dangers for themselves and emergency responders such as positioning electrical equipment above flood levels, taking precautions when using generators, evaluating water-logged power-driven gear, and more.

Protection of homes, businesses, employees, and clients is vital to success. By providing the proper equipment, training, and education, disaster zones can be more easily remediated by all. Businessowners and employees share the responsibility of working safely when it comes to disaster relief and daily performance.

Consider the following tips:

  • Maintain a cordial, in-person relationship with your insurance provider.
  • Ensure employees are well-trained and incentivized to work safely.
  • Conduct routine safety meetings.
  • Review insurance coverage and business needs on an annual basis.
  • Evaluate possible hazards and create plans to recuperate if disaster strikes.
  • Create risk management plans based on weather-related emergencies.
  • Appoint certain employees to execute specific steps if severe weather occurs.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Five Ways to Prepare for a Bathroom Remodel

Bathroom remodeling can be exciting yet simultaneously excruciating. If you are prepared and know what to expect, the process can be somewhat seamless. Planning, organizing, readjusting, and scheduling can help make things go smoothly.

  1. Check (and double-check) the Construction Schedule: First and foremost, ensure your renovation is optimally lined up with the subcontractors who will be working on your project. These include but are not limited to: plumbers, carpenters, cabinetmakers, tile and flooring personnel, electricians, and more. Specific times will be crucial, as one late arrival or pushing over a date can send the entire schedule haywire. Also, remember to have all items ordered in advance such as faucets, showerheads, toilets, light fixtures, countertops, hardware, cabinetry, tile, etc.

  2. Familiarize Yourself with the Construction Process: Ensure there will be plastic sheeting laid out, that the dust will be collected, and determine where the materials will go when they arrive. Prepare the affected areas by removing or covering household items to prevent damage or getting dirty, and make sure your pets and children are safe. Also, find out about trash and whether a dumpster will be necessary. If parking is a factor, ensure your neighborhood has room for extra vehicles, and make sure there is a portable toilet available if needed. All of these things should be included and discussed in the initial quote.

  3. Streamline Bathroom Routines: The number of people using a bathroom in your house might double or triple, which will take some planning ahead. Share toiletries to cut down on the number of bottles in the shower. Schedule bathroom time to guarantee mornings aren’t hectic, or the water heater doesn’t run out of hot water after successive showers. Designate a desk, table, or caddy for extra toiletries including hair products, toothpaste, shave gel, foot powder, etc. Consider using over-the-door hooks to hang towels or use a freestanding towel rack to dry wet towels.

  4. Shower Somewhere Else: Though it might sound extreme, if you only have one bathroom, your shower or tub might be decommissioned for a while. If you are a gym member, take advantage of the locker room shower. Ask family members whether you can use their bathroom, as well.
  5. Focus on the Result: Renovating a bathroom while living in the house can be tumultuous, given construction zones are not exactly peaceful. If you are feeling overwhelmed, re-examine your mood boards and plans. There’s a light at the end of the dusty tunnel, and the results will be more than worth it!

Are you interested in remodeling your bathroom, kitchen, or other area within your home? Contact the experts at JFC Remodeling today to bring your dreams to life.

JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires an improvement, repair, or new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call: 810-923-1123, e-mail: jfcllc@comcast.net, or visit us at: www.jfcremodeling.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Do Mortgage Payments Decrease Through Time?

Most people are aware that mortgage payments can increase over time, but did you know payments can actually decrease? In this article, we’ll explore a few ways how this can happen.

Mortgage payments decrease on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs). While not as common as the payment increasing with ARMs, your monthly payments can decrease based on the Associated Mortgage Index’s movements. Depending on your lender, a built-in floor might prevent taking advantage of these decreases, however. If you hold on to your ARM through the initial fixed-rate period, you could end up with a lower rate if it becomes available.

Another option is to pay down your mortgage in time. If you make a large lump sum payment, your payments can decrease gradually. Ask your mortgage lender to re-cast your loan, which will re-amortize and couple it with your original loan term. If you skip this step, extra payments will not automatically lower future payments. Once your new, smaller balance is spread throughout the remaining months on your loan, your mortgage payment is adjusted lower to reflect that balance. However, your mortgage rate doesn’t change.

Refinancing your home to a lower rate is always an option to reduce your monthly mortgage payments. Rate and term refinances are one of the easiest – and most popular – ways to lower your mortgage payment with low effort. Refinancing doesn’t necessarily mean you will get the lowest rate, though, especially if you don’t plan on staying in the property long-term.

Shop around for homeowners’ insurance yearly, as it is generally included in your mortgage payment. If you can find a lower home insurance premium, your mortgage payment might decrease.

If you feel as though your home is overvalued, you can also look into getting a tax reassessment. If property values have been on the decline, your home might have a lower valuation. Ask your county recorder’s office for a reassessment if so.

It’s important to remember that mortgage payments are generally composed of Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance, or PITI.

Want to learn more about lowering your mortgage payment? Contact the mortgage professionals at EB Wholesale Mortgage today.

EB Mortgage is a locally owned mortgage company with experts in new home purchase, refinancing, and commercial loans. Our wholesale rates can’t be beaten. We offer more products, more options, and more solutions. Our “3C” Process is simple: complete our pre-approval request, consider options based on your requirements, and choose the offer that suits your needs best. Call us at 866-246-0516 or e-mail contact@ebwmtg.com today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Japanese Engineers Surpass Internet Speed World Record

The highest internet speed ever recorded was recently doubled by engineers in Japan. The research, called “High-Speed Direct Detection Demonstrations,” was published by the National Institute of Information & Communication Technology (NICT) and submitted to the International Conference on Optical Fiber Communications.

The old internet speed world record was 178 terabits per second (Tb/s), set in 2020 by the United Kingdom and Japanese engineers. The new record set by Japanese researchers is now 319 Tb/s, doubling the previous record. The team maintained this super-fast speed over a long distance with no speed drop-off or bandwidth change over 1,865 miles.

A novel cable, a four-core optical fiber using 552 PDM-16QAM wavelength-division multiplexed channels, was used. The engineers used “erbium and thulium doped-fiber amplifiers and distributed Raman amplification” to achieve their feat.

Additionally, S, C, and L band transmissions were used for the first time. It is typical for C and L bands to be used for long-haul communications, but the researchers used S-band as well.

The four-core optical fiber works with existing equipment, making it more cost-efficient to implement.

Engineers believe there are more capabilities for even faster speed and further increases to transmission capacity. They are going to be working to “extend the transmission range to trans-oceanic distances” as well.

Unsatisfied with slow internet or need help with networking? Contact the experts at CPS today to get your internet up to speed.

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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Side Gigs Common Among Radiologists and Other Doctors During Pandemic

According to a recently published survey by Medscape, roughly 40 percent of radiologists and other physicians have side jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. These second gigs allow physicians to create an additional income stream or pursue a creative passion project. More than 2,500 United States physicians were surveyed about their jobs, how much they are currently earning, and what they hope to achieve in the future.

Partly due to the COVID-19 income-related loss, more doctors and medical professionals began looking for side gigs. Roughly one in four doctors have a side job in 2021, though the interest in a second job began rising throughout 2020. Nearly 45 percent of those surveyed who picked up a side job during the past year cited pandemic-related hardships.

David I. Beran, DO, emergency physician and writer, said, “I have seen physicians pursue side gigs more and more in recent years. Sometimes they are clinical jobs (moonlighting), sometimes they are not clinical but medical (file review or expert witnessing), and sometimes they are neither (business, investing, real estate, etc.).”

About twice as many men in the medical field have a second job (65 percent) than women (33 percent). Nisha Mehta, MD, a radiologist, founded Physician Side Gigs, a Facebook group with over 80,000 verified physicians interested in pursuing creative ventures or different revenue sources. The group regularly discusses jobs, business skills, financial topics, life in medicine, and physician burnout.

Mehta said, “The data are actually very encouraging when you consider antiquated stereotypes of male and female physicians. To me, it states that despite the challenges that female physicians traditionally face in finding the bandwidth to balance work, family and a side gig … women physicians are finding innovative ways to create fulfillment and flexibility in their careers.”

Between March and May, when the survey was conducted, approximately 75 radiologists were included. Of those, roughly 37 percent said they are working a side job compared to 63 percent who are not. Medical activities such as consulting, expert testimony, chart reviews, and moonlighting are popular alternatives.

Mehta said, “In a healthcare landscape that’s increasingly challenging, the side gig offers physicians an opportunity to do something on their own terms as well as use a different part of their brains. This leads to new skill sets, networks and mental breaks from the stress of their day jobs, all of which can be tremendously fulfilling and ultimately counter burnout.”

Acceletronics is an industry leader in delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from CT Scanners and Linear Accelerators across all major brands and models. Call 610-524-3300 or visit our website: https://www.acceletronics.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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New State Electric Co. Website Goes Live!

State Electric Company has a new website! We plan to keep you up-to-speed with the latest news, tips/tricks, updates, and information on our blog. State Electric Co. is proud to be a full-service electrical contractor for residential and commercial properties. Our team consists of project managers, engineers, safety managers, quality assurance managers, and site supervisors, giving you an organized, efficient, and safe delivery of your electrical needs.

Check out some of our renowned services:

  • Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Install: Need an electric vehicle charger installed or want to purchase one? Unsure about the varying levels? Look no further! State Electric Co. is a certified installer for all available EV chargers on the market today. We’ve designed and installed EV chargers for many customers from municipal, commercial/industrial complexes, the hospitality industry, apartments/multi-unit housing, and residential homes.
  • Solar Panel Install: going green? We can size and install a solar panel system that fits your budget. With the ever-changing needs for electricity on demand, solar energy can offset your costs and deliver consistent electrical power using solar panels and battery storage. At State Electric, our design team works with customers and provides solutions that will offset high electrical costs while meeting constant power demands. Whether it is rooftop, ground mount panels, or tied into battery storage and phased with a backup generator; we can provide options for your energy needs.
  • Automatic Backup Generators: Standby generators ensure that you’ll never be without power. Get yours today! Mother nature and the increasingly high demand of the electrical grid causes inconsistencies in our power supply, usually in the least opportune time. The team at State Electric can provide solutions for backup generators and automatic transfer switches to provide a seamless transition when power is unavailable from the grid.
  • Battery Powerwalls: Recharge and store extra solar power generated through your insolation panel system.
  • Lighting: From parking lots to new construction lighting installation and upgrades, contact us for a job done right!
  • Electrical Service Upgrades: Have an obsolete electrical system that keeps shorting out? We’ll modernize your components safely.
  • Electrical Service & Repairs: Our qualified and fully insured electrical contractors prioritize safety and will put you at peace of mind.
  • Security Camera Installations: Whether for a home, business, or municipality, our crew installs high-quality security camera systems.

Even more of our services include:

  • Design/Engineering/Build
  • New Construction
  • Remodeled Homes and Businesses
  • Smart Electric Tech Design
  • Telephone/TV/Alarms, etc.
  • Fire Alarms
  • Panel Upgrades
  • Data Lines
  • Access Controls

To learn more or schedule an appointment for one of our services, contact State Electric Company  today!

State Electric Company is a leader in the electrification of the nation. Our highly educated and experienced team of professionals uses industry-leading software technology and has partnered with manufacturers to deliver affordable solutions for all your electrical needs. With our combined, extensive knowledge in renewable energy sources through solar and battery storage, the team at State Electric works together to provide customers, large and small, with efficient electrical solutions. We specialize in smart electrical panels, EV chargers, battery storage, microgrids, and emergency generators with automatic transfer switches to ensure that all your energy needs are affordable and safely met.

Contact us today to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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A Complete Guide to Emergency/Prepper Kits

Are you familiar with a BOB? Do you have a GHB? How about an EDC? There are plenty of acronyms for emergency kits, but do you know what they stand for? Why do you need them, and when? The main answer is purpose…once you understand how they are all used, you’ll be ready to stock up on what you need.

EDC: Everyday Carry
This kit comprises everyday items that help you handle inconveniences or unexpected emergencies. These bags are small, portable, and should be created according to your needs. 

BOB: Bug Out Bag
This ubiquitous name for supplies in the prepping world contains supplies to sustain a person who must leave home for a temporary reason, roughly 72 hours. A BOB is typically tailored to an individual, though they sometimes have communal items. This is also commonly referred to as a 72-Hour Kit.

GHB: Get Home Bag
These bags are useful for widespread – but local – disasters where driving or using public transportation is impossible. Consider this bag when you can get home after a short period, like after a few hours or overnight.

GOOD: Get Out of Dodge (Bag)
This is the next level up from a BOB. Sustaining you for a few weeks or months away from home, this bag should be designed to evacuate ahead of a disaster while still planning to return home when it’s safe. You should plan on having amenities such as food, water, and shelter available.

INCH: I’m Never Coming Home Bag
These are useful in situations where you would be forced to leave home and never return. This long-term survival bag would be helpful in a total societal collapse. The contents would be similar to a BOB, but the INCH is full of more items for cooking, clothing options, and shelter supplies.

Vehicle Kit
Fairly self-explanatory, this kit stays in the car and contains items for vehicle repair. Tools for repairs, safety equipment, and extreme weather gear should be included. Also add food, water, and other supplies you might need if you were stranded or before help arrives.

Work Kit
If you were stranded at work, what would you do? Think through a scenario that involves your workplace, and that’s what’s in this bag. Ideally, this bag would stay at work.

Looking for some emergency kits? Check out our stock at Wolf Survival today!

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for all your prepping and survival needs. We are a trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. Visit our website or e-mail us today for more information.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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What’s the Difference Between AWD and 4WD?

All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) are actually two different things. In the past, if you wanted four driven wheels, you were limited to full-size SUV’s and trucks. Nowadays, 4WD has become more sophisticated, and AWD is getting more robust and gaining in popularity. Both are available in cars and SUVs and account for more than half of new vehicle sales in the U.S.  

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

When a vehicle is equipped with an AWD system, the drivetrain’s power gets transferred to all four wheels. There are several AWD systems available, some full-time and others with on-demand AWD. The newer technology allows torque to engage on all four wheels but can allocate more torque to the rear wheels when the drivetrain computer senses traction loss. Systems that are primarily front-wheel drive will supply torque to the rear wheels through the AWD processor if the front wheels slip.

The different types of AWD include part-time, full-time, automatic, and selectable.

Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)

Through the years, 4WD has become more refined, including a high and low-range setting. Low range is useful for mud, sand, or heavy snow. High range is the default setting for everyday asphalt driving. More advanced systems offer a selection of modes for drivers to control how much power and torque are distributed between the front and rear axles.

AWD and 4WD are great options for those who regularly drive in challenging conditions, including harsh winters or off-roading. These vehicles are heavier and more complex to service.

Still have questions or want to service your AWD or 4WD vehicle?

Contact the car care experts at Team CAMC today.

Team CAMC is your Complete Auto Maintenance Center. For over 30 years, we have followed a single guiding principle: we never push or sell services a vehicle doesn’t need.  Our team of trained technicians welcomes you like family and discusses all types of oil and fluid changes offered. Critical points are reviewed through a 13-point inspection to ensure your vehicle is ready for the next adventure on the road ahead. Contact us today to schedule the professional service you deserve from a team you trust.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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How long does LASIK last?

One of the most frequently asked questions about LASIK is: “How long does it last?” Close runner up: “Is it permanent?” The answer to both questions is yes, LASIK is permanent. However, there is a slight chance you will have to wear glasses again in the future. Since your body changes through age, laser vision correction procedures cannot prevent deterioration to the ocular area.

Between the ages of seven and 23, vision changes are expected as the eyes develop and mature. Issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism can come and go, increase and decrease, etc., as long as the eye undergoes changes. Once vision has not changed in a year, it is considered fully mature.

However, just like the rest of your body, the eyes continue changing through time. For most people, the subtle changes are not a factor until the age of 40. At this time, people report their near-range of vision being blurry. The age-related alterations in vision are dubbed presbyopia. In time, the eye lens stiffens and becomes cloudy, which is called a cataract.

Laser vision correction procedures do not treat the lens; rather, they reshape the surface of the eye, which is known as the cornea. LASIK alters the surface of the eye permanently and can improve your vision for years. Your vision will improve, whether it be from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. The laser reshapes the cornea, correcting the imperfections that create vision issues.

Occasionally, nearsightedness or farsightedness can occur with people going through presbyopia. Purchasing a pair of glasses to last the rest of your lifetime might not be out of the question. So yes, the eyes can change, but they won’t return to being as bad as they were before LASIK.

A recent study in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery concluded quality-of-life and satisfaction rates stayed high five years following LASIK, according to patient-reported data. The study also reported over 94 percent of patients were not wearing distance prescription lenses five years after undergoing LASIK.

To learn more about LASIK or schedule a consultation, contact the experts at Rohr Eye & Laser Center today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

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America’s Water Towers Are Contaminated

A recent article published by USA TODAY investigates the issues with water towers across America. This in-depth analysis is imperative, as most Americans take clean water for granted. Water towers generally serve as the most visible – and vulnerable – point in public water supplies. Openings as tiny as a few millimeters could be a factor in the difference between consuming clean or contaminated water.

Investigators are known to find dead snakes, mice, and raccoons floating in water storage tanks, along with pigeon feces and other animal excrements. Experts estimate that contaminated tap water causes tens of millions of illnesses yearly, leading to nearly 1,000 deaths throughout America; however, the number of deaths caused by water tower contamination is unknown, as this is not tracked.

USA TODAY and Indiana University’s Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism started a joint investigation that found disparities in water tank management. As a result, the public is at risk for multiple risks, especially in the absence of federal regulations. Each state has the authority to determine how to handle inspection frequency, cleaning, and more. Surprisingly, some states appear to have no rules whatsoever. Some are only checked every three to five years due to federal law.

Enforcement of the rules can be lax; a city investigation stemmed from customer complaints found a 50-year maintenance gap in Delray Beach, Florida. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, water storage tanks must be inspected and cleaned every five years. The water storage tank of Delray Beach, Florida, had not been cleaned since it was built in 1972.

“Nobody could remember a time when those [water] tanks were cleaned,” said George Gretsas, Delray’s city manager at the time, after inquiring with staff members. “It’s widespread corruption within the utilities department. They regularly cover themselves up,” he added.

Some examples of water tank maintenance across the United States:

  • In 1993, 650 people were sick – seven died – from a salmonella outbreak in Gideon, Missouri. Apparently, bird droppings entered the water tank through a vent.
  • Roughly 1,300 people were sick, and one died, after a salmonella outbreak in 2008, stemming from the water storage tank in Alamosa, Colorado.
  • Two five-year-old boys died in 2002 after bathing in tap water contaminated by Naegleria fowleri, a microscopic organism that infects the brain. In an investigation, a chlorinated water storage tank in Peoria, Arizona, was found to be the culprit.

There are countless stories regarding contaminated water tanks and millions of cases of gastrointestinal or respiratory illnesses that people inadvertently got from their drinking water.

Read the full report from USA TODAY to learn more. To purify your drinking water and protect yourself and your family from contaminants, contact the experts at Reynolds today.

Reynolds Water Conditioning was established in 1931 and is Michigan’s oldest water conditioning treatment company. Still owned and operated by the Reynolds family, we take pride in providing the highest quality products at a cost-effective price. If your tap water lacks the quality you deserve, contact us today at www.reynoldswater.com or call 800-572-9575.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.