One of the more common causes of back injuries during the winter months is snow removal. Using the wrong  body mechanics when shoveling snow can put undue stress on the spine and lead to muscle strains, falls, or more serious back injuries. These injuries can be prevented if proper precautions are taken.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU BEGIN
• Warm-up your muscles. Shoveling can be a vigorous activity.
• Pace yourself. Take frequent breaks and prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of
fluids. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath or other signs of a heart
attack, stop shoveling/blowing and seek emergency care.
• Use a shovel that is comfortable for your height and strength. Do not use a shovel
that is too heavy or too long for you.
• Try to push the snow instead of lifting it. If you must lift, do it properly.
• Do not throw the snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting
motion that stresses your back.
SNOW BLOWERS
A snow blower can be a useful tool for removing snow quickly. But while often more
convenient, they can also be more dangerous than shoveling. Be aware of the proper
techniques of using a snow blower and read the user manual and pay attention to labels on
the machine.
• Never stick your hands in the snow blower! If snow jams the snow blower, stop the
engine and use a solid object to clear wet snow or debris from the chute. Beware of
the brief recoil of motor and blades that occurs after the machine has been turned
off.
• Do not leave the snow blower unattended when it is running.
• Add fuel before starting the snow blower. Never add fuel when the engine is running
or hot.
• Stay away from the engine. It can become very hot and burn unprotected flesh.
• Watch the snow blower cord. If you are operating an electric snow blower, be aware
of where the power cord is at all times.
SIDEWALKS & DRIVEWAYS
It’s also important to keep ice clear from your sidewalks and driveways to prevent accidents.
Ice melt and all-purpose sand can add traction to these surfaces, plus ice chippers work well.

Did you know most home fires start in the kitchen? Whether you’re making turkey or pie this holiday season, it is important to be careful when you’re cooking. Use these tips to make sure your Thanksgiving is safe and delicious: · Keep an eye on food when cooking. · Wear short sleeves or roll them up. Long sleeves can catch on fire. · Never leave frying food alone. Most home cooking fires start when food is left unattended.  Keep the cooking range free of clutter.   Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy while cooking. If a small fire starts in a pan on the stove, put on a flame-resistant oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner.   Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and know how to use it.  To learn more about staying safe over the holidays, visit https://www.ready.gov/holiday-toolkit. Join the conversation on social media by following @Citizen_Corps and @Prepareathon. Share your holiday safety tips with #HolidaySafety!

On Thursday, December 6, eight local entrepreneurs will give their best business pitch in the region’s 2018 Catapult small business competition as they compete for cash prizes to launch or grow their business.  The local first place winner will advance to the I-69 Thumb regional Catapult event in January 2019 for the opportunity to represent St. Clair County and win additional funding.  Catapult 2018 will begin at 6PM in The Underground Business incubator and is free to attend, although registration is required.  Those interested in hearing local business pitches and interesting ideas or supporting competitors in the competition are encouraged to register at www.startunderground.com     Catapult Business Competitors include (1)The Industry; Josh Sabo…The Industry is a new nonprofit that helps build the lives of young people. We are a talent retention and development program, working with 17-25 year old people to discover their talents, skills, and character in order to help them become employable community leaders. Our goal is to implement their skills into the workforce in their own community.  (2) Winsom Rewards, LLC;  Chris Smith and Michael Sharber.  Winsom is an app that solves the fitness motivation riddle. A majority of apps track what you’re doing or tell you what to do; Winsom will motivate you to get to the gym and work out. Our Phase One focus is students in Michigan. We’ll expand into the midwest and the rest of the country in Phase Two. We’ll expand out of the college market into all gyms in the US and other countries, wellness programs for businesses and other opportunities in Phase Three. (3) 4ever2, LLC,  Patrick Coughlin.  4ever2 Jewelstone Bands, have several unique advantages over traditional wedding bands. They are the world’s most comfortable wedding band as the two bands are engineered with a special curvature and width and easily roll over each other. Many claim our bands are so comfortable, they forget they are wearing a wedding band. (4) Hanton L.L.C -Hantoon’s Munny;  Mark Hanton.  Munny is the world’s best up and coming honey mustard sauce. (5)  Golden Laser Designs; Gregg Masters Jr.   Golden Laser Designs is a new business established in 2017. It is both a business to business and business to customer company offering custom laser engraving on a variety of products including acrylic, glass, leather, aluminum, and wood. All engraving is done in house with an Epilog 60 Watt Helix laser and products can be completely customized with a company’s logo, tagline, and can be designed by the individual also. (6) South of Heaven Beverage Company; Keith Gram.  South of Heaven Beverage Co. aims to bring the best tasting, highest-quality beverages to the marketplace. Our goal is to be health conscious and environmentally responsible. Our first product launched will be a one of kind Bloody Mary mix. A combination of organic ingredients expertly balanced to provide a Bloody Mary experience unlike any other by uniting the bold flavors of unique peppers with carefully chosen herbs and spices.  (7) Niche IX;  Dairoll Medrano.  Niche IX is a Visual, Performing Arts and Technology Boutique dedicated to serving the St Clair County and surrounding areas. As a co-operative space where creative artists, musicians, performing artists and the public can explore and develop their talents, trades and expectations as individuals and groups. And (8)  Activio;  Robert Frisch II.  Activio is a directory website focused on the adventure tourism market. We provide a marketing platform for activity operators to present their activities and make them more accessible to the general public. At our core is our custom video content feed. Our snackable video content drives user engagement, which gives users easily accessible content. We are focused on bringing the best activities to our users by making the content efficient and creative.

Local Prizes:  $2,500 First Place, $1,500 Second Place
Regional Prizes: $6,000 First Place, $4,000 Second Place, $2,000 Third Place Prize
(1^st Place local winner will advance to the regional event on January 24 to represent St. Clair County).

Around 175 TEC students, staff, friends and family raised money for charity by taking the annual Polar Bear Plunge on Dec. 1. The plunge, sponsored by the Port Huron Kiwanis, was at Lakeside Beach in Port Huron. Lane Robinson, adviser of TEC’s chapter of the National Technical Honor Society, said TEC had at least 5 students vying to be the last one out of the frigid water. Cosmetology students offered free face painting. TEC also provided free hot cocoa. The money raised by plunge pledges is part of a larger campaign called “TEC Kids Care.” Students are collecting money and clothing, coats and personal care items in all TEC classrooms. All proceeds go to Kids in Distress Services (KIDS) in St. Clair. This campaign has won TEC’s honor society chapter a national award five years in a row. Contact Robinson at TEC, ext. 4229, to contribute.

There are many traditional and contemporary ways to decorate for the holidays both inside and outside the home. Christmas is arguably the most popular decorating holiday, but having decorations that are re-usable for other holidays is a great idea.  Corey Curtis, General Manager at the Menards in Port Huron says, as you begin your Christmas decorating,  you might want to consider a wide variety of lighting options such as:  Rope lights, icicle lights or net lights for bushes or trees  — Try multiple function light sets that do amazing things  —  Consider various sizes of bulbs from big, small, sphere, round or —  warm, cool or multiple colors –Pathway, spotlight or window lighting  and be sure to use those LED lighting options as they are energy efficient and last for years.   Don’t forget to plan ahead and have tools readily available when decorating plus ladders, drills, adhesive strips, tape, nails, gutter hooks and anything else you might need.   And, you might want to consider choosing Christmas decorations that have more of a wintry feel that can be used for a longer time frame

The public is invited to the Carnegie Center in Port Huron on Saturday, December 15 from noon to 2 p.m. to enjoy a music video debut of “Lady of the Lake” written by Price Smith and performed by Paige Elizabeth.  According to Susan Bennett of Port Huron Museum, this haunting melody about the Storm of 1913, is told from the view of the lighthouse calling out to the ships enduring the storm.  There will also be special presentations by Wayne Brusate, REGINA diver, and author Robert McGreevy.  Admission is a suggested donation of $5, a portion of which will go to Paige Elizabeth’s college fund, with the remaining going to benefit the Port Huron Museum.  Tickets may be purchased through Eventbrite or at the Museum on Sixth Street.