The polar vortex has blasted the Midwest with bitterly cold winds, sub-zero temperatures, and in some places even up to 20 inches of snow.  But the cold spell is due to dissipate and spring like weather is to arrive promptly. This rapid thawing out across the frozen areas of the US is aberrant and could cause some serious problems for residents, including bust pipes, damaged roads and flooding.   With flooding and damage for many parts of Michigan imminent as the ice thaws, water damage restoration service providerServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba has put together some short-term tips on how you can protect your home:

1/ How to tell where pipes are frozen:

• Look for condensation or a light coat of frost on pipes.
• Tap pipes with a small tool, and listen for a solid sound.
• Touch pipe surfaces to locate extreme cold spots.

2/ How to thaw a drain pipe:

• Thaw pipes with a space heater or heat lamp positioned at least 3 feet away from flammable materials.
• Use a hair dryer to direct warm air up and down frozen pipe lengths.
• Wrap frozen pipe with an electric heat cable, and keep a close eye on the process.

3/ What to do when frozen pipes burst:

• Turn off the water supply.
• Check your electrical system.
• Address leakage and document damage.
• Check the ceilings for frozen burst pipe leaks.
• Start drying out.

For more in-depth tips, please follow the below links:

https://www.servicemasterbyzaba.com/blog/frozen-pipes-burst-what-to-do/

https://www.servicemasterbyzaba.com/blog/how-to-unfreeze-pipes/

United Way of St. Clair County (UWSCC) announces a new opportunity for the community to be involved.  Hungry Howie’s and UWSCC present: United Way Hero Deal.  Beginning on February 1, 2019, Hungry Howie’s has graciously offered to donate 10% from all sales of the United Way Hero Deal to UWSCC.  For only $24.99, you can enjoy one Large Pizza with three toppings, one Large Pizza with two toppings, and one Howie Bread.  Many of the programs UWSCC fund provide meals to homeless and struggling families.  Feeding our society both directly and indirectly – a perfect fit for Hungry Howie’s to invest in our community.  What does this mean to you?  Pizza night just got even better!  Not only do you get a night off from cooking, you get to brighten lives in our community by raising the quality of life of those less fortunate.  Simply ask for the United Way Hero Deal at any Hungry Howie’s location, in St. Clair County, anytime you order during February and 10% will automatically be donated to UWSCC.  No extra step, no extra expense.  Today Is The Day we strengthen our community, one pizza at a time!

Lake Huron Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). MRI is a noninvasive medical test that utilizes magnetic fields to produce anatomical images of internal body parts to help physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.  Lake Huron Medical Center offers patients an alternative option to conventional MRI with the introduction of a wide bore MRI machine, the only wide bore technology available in St. Clair County. Wide bore technology provides a more spacious environment, allowing patients to be more comfortable when undergoing an MRI. Wide Bore MRI technology optimizes the comfort of an open bore machine with the high-quality imaging of a conventional closed bore system.  Additionally, the wide bore MRI technology also provides for more flexibility, with Technologists able to move patients into more comfortable positions and more accurate scanning; exam times are shortened with the increased accuracy and speed of this wide bore technology; and the accuracy provides greater diagnostic confidence.  The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice parameters and technical standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report that can be used for continuous practice improvement.  The ACR, founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. The College serves more than 37,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.  To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.

February is American Heart Month, and as a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving the nation’s health, the Blue Water YMCA offers the following tips to help families be heart healthy.
1. Get Physical: Being physically active every day is fun and can improve the function of your heart. Plan and schedule opportunities for active play; for example, include a brisk 10-minute trip around the block after meals or a 10-minute walking break during the day. If your family enjoys active video games, select versions that require moving the body’s large muscle groups while playing.
2. Take a Snooze: Lack of sleep can be associated with elevated cholesterol and blood pressure. Adults need at least seven, but no more than nine hours of sleep at night to aid with the prevention of heart disease. Children need 10-12 hours of sleep per night.  Develop bedtime routines for the whole family to assist with falling asleep faster and staying asleep.
3. Shape Up Those Recipes: Makeover your family’s favorite recipes by reducing the amount of salt and saturated fat and substituting a lower fat food without sacrificing tastes. For example, use low-fat yogurt instead of sour cream and skip the seasoning packet and use pepper and olive oil instead. Read food labels to learn more about what is in the package, select foods that have less than 1,000 mg of sodium per serving.
4. Feeling the Pressure: Revised blood pressure guidelines from American Heart Association mean that nearly half of all Americans (46 percent) have high blood pressure. Lowering or maintaining normal blood pressure can greatly reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. Start self-monitoring your blood pressure and know the numbers. Discuss the results with you doctor if needed.
5. Play Together: Spending time together as a family is a terrific way to reduce stress, which is important to heart health. Make homemade valentines for your children’s classmates or build a snow fort together in the yard or the park.

For more information on how your family can live a healthy, active life, visit
www.bluewaterymca.com

Lake Huron Medical Center congratulates Daisy Award Recipient Cory Messing, RN. The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses is recognized in 2,800 healthcare facilities in the United States and 17 different countries. Cory works as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department and was nominated by peers for his caring attitude and his attention to patient care. He is known for his positive attitude and for going above and beyond to help patients be as comfortable as possible. He takes time to get to know his patients to provide the best possible care.  Beyond his remarkable clinical skills, Cory is known for his professionalism, being well organized and communicating thoroughly when transferring patients out of the Emergency Department. He is always willing to take a moment to help co-workers and is a leader in the department.  “Cory cultivates an environment which allows Lake Huron Medical Center to provide exceptional care, and is the kind of nurse who inspires you to give your best every day,” comments Pat Roberts, RN, MS, Chief Nursing Officer, Lake Huron Medical Center.  “The DAISY award is the perfect way to recognize our nurses because it reflects a nursing mindset which fosters care, trust, and compassion with his patients and peers.”  The Daisy Award was created 1999 by members of the family of Patrick Barnes who died of complications of the auto-immune disease ITP. The Barnes’ wanted to do something special to honor their son and came up with the name DAISY-an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. What continually resonated for them was the extraordinary care, kindness and compassion Patrick and the family received from his nurses during his illness.

United Way of St. Clair County’s (UWSCC) 2018 Campaign Celebration last night was a night of inspirational and heart-warming testimonies.  The room was filled with eager guests excited to hear about this year’s accomplishments.  Campaign sponsors made this event possible.  Alexander’s Premier Banquet Facility, 1200 Gratiot Boulevard in Marysville, hosted the event of 150 guests.  Mayor Dan Damman, Campaign Chair, was the Emcee for the evening.  His passion for UWSCC entranced the guests from the moment he began his welcome.  Mayor Damman kicked off the event with an expression of gratitude to all of this year’s volunteers, supporters, and Campaign sponsors.  Loaned Executives, Crystal Mosher and Bryce Smith, were recognized and thanked for their exceptional efforts conducting Campaign meetings with employers and their staff.  Campaign Division Chairs each presented on the successes of their teams of volunteers and shared moving testimonials of their experiences.  Plaques were awarded to many of the businesses and organizations who participated in an Employee Giving Campaign; in recognition of the generous support of their staff.  New contributors received certificates of appreciation.  The room was filled with laughter and applause when the Campaign Cabinet played a light-hearted joke on their Chair; showing, once again, their loyalty to him as their fearless leader.  Then, the moment had come; it was time for the unveiling of the 2018 Campaign Total.  UWSCC is pleased to announce that the community raised $1,234,585.  That is 97.8% of our goal reached!  Campaign Director, Brent Gillette, presented Mayor Damman with a token of appreciation on behalf of all of the volunteers whom he has led with passion, dedication, and determination.  U.S. Congressman Mitchell and a representative from the office of U.S. Senator Peters presented Dan with a certificate of recognition for his compassion and perseverance that are helping to improve the quality of life of the citizens of St. Clair County.