Author: Creative Programs and Systems - page 52

Make Your House a Home

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

To cozy up a house and turn it into a home, we often rely on personal style to create an overall aesthetic. However, our homes consist of so much more than furniture. Here are some suggestions to enhance your space and make rooms feel more comfortable.

Practicality
Well-designed homes get everything right, especially from a practical sense. Make sure you set aside space for laundry, a mudroom/entrance area, and other areas that might be accidentally overlooked. If you don’t have a dedicated room where you can keep a washer and dryer, consider putting them in a closet or stacking them to maximize space.

Layout
Spend some time analyzing the way you use and move throughout your home. Establish what is clearly working and what isn’t. Sometimes, interior design can’t remedy an oddly-placed wall, which should be knocked down by a professional. Houses can often gain more space by expanding a kitchen or dining area, for example.

Nooks & Crannies
Sometimes, the most overlooked areas of a space are those awkward spaces such as corners or underneath stairways. Brainstorm how to transform the blank canvas into something more useful, such as designated storage areas.

Lighting
One of the most important aspects of interior design, lighting has the power to change the ambiance with the flip of a switch. Try to balance artificial and natural light to create a warm, cozy, yet welcoming space.

Color
Choosing the right color can make a magnificent impact on a room. Layer your color palette by using accent walls or adding bold accessories or artwork to make them pop.

Personality
Don’t forget the most important part of making your house a home: you! Make sure each and every element in your home is one that you love. Showcase your personal art collection or reupholstered chairs proudly.

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 is a 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.

Jason Foldenauer Construction

Developing Electrical Code

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Most standardized procedures aren’t developed overnight. Rather, they can take years to form with help from stakeholders, owners, employees, and more. With the invention of the Internet, advanced technology can simplify and complicate standards that might have already been in place.

Developing codes is an intricate process with much to take into consideration. First, there are many details to factor in while accounting for every step in the process. Then, other, perhaps surprising, aspects should be taken into consideration. Lastly, a trial run should be performed to ensure everything is working as it should, in accord with the overall intention. 

NFPA, the National Fire Protection Association, sets codes and standards in the electrical industry. To streamline the regulatory process, proposals (public inputs) are presented to the committee, answering every letter. Any changes are developed by the committee go through several steps:

  1. Revision stage: committee uses public input or their own discretion to create a vision or not, with reason.
  2. Draft stage: panel alters something from the first stage, if necessary, typically without public intervention.
  3. Reject stage: changes are analyzed using a new software called TerraView, designed to prevent conflicting actions. Comments made by the public can still be rejected during this stage or held for consideration during the next cycle of changes.
  4. Motion stage: those who might be disappointed with the process can file an online form to NFPA as a notice of intent to make a motion.
  5. Review stage: the NFPA Standards Council will assign a task group to review all motions and judge them based on their compliance. Once verified, the motion turns into a CAM, or Certified Amending Motion.
  6. Judgment: the Standards Council will have the last say; the results of the above process will be delivered to the panel, who will hear appeals and make decisions regarding the code.

At J&P Electrical, we respect the force of electrical power and its dangerous byproducts: shock and fire. Part of what we do is refurbish industrial electrical equipment using stringent standards. All electrical components are completely disassembled, then each and every part is cleaned, inspected, and repaired as needed. We then paint the product using an exclusive acrylic enamel chosen for its durability. The equipment is then reassembled and thoroughly tested to meet or exceed the manufacturer’s UL certification. The dielectric voltage withstands all tests, from phase-to-phase and phase to ground (neutral). The final product looks as close to new as possible. J&P Electrical stands behind its work; all our products come with a full one-year warranty.

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.

J & P Electrical Company

Understanding DTI

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Mortgage companies often require specific documents to analyze the borrower’s financial situation prior to approval. One of the most important aspects of getting approved for a mortgage is your credit score, which shows how well the borrower can meet their financial obligations. In addition to considering your credit score, lenders look at the borrower’s DTI ratio to determine whether they can monetarily handle a new loan.

DTI stands for Debt-to-Income and is calculated by adding all monthly debt payments together and dividing that by the borrower’s monthly income before taxes. DTI does not account for expenses not listed on credit reports, such as groceries, entertainment, and small purchases.

Lower DTI signifies a healthy balance between debt and income. The lower the DTI, the more likely the borrower can qualify for the loan they want. A DTI of 28 to 36 percent or lower is ideal; however, lenders accept higher DTI ratios depending on the type of loan, credit score, savings, and down payment.

There are two ways to lower your DTI ratio: decrease your debts or increase your income. To drive your debt down, pay off existing debt and do not accrue new debts. Increasing your monthly income can be tricky; try working freelance in your free time or find a better-paying job.

Are you thinking about purchasing a home and have a low DTI? Contact the mortgage experts at EB Mortgage today to get pre-approved for the house of your dreams!

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.

EB Mortgage

2022: The Year to Protect Your Data

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Cybercriminals are improving their ransomware computer viruses by exploiting weaknesses throughout different types of software and applications available on the Internet. Hacks were ever-popular in 2021, resulting in shutting down oil pipelines, food shortages, public water storage tanks, elevated gas prices, governmental breaches, and much more.

Ransomware has become a national security threat, according to Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, “Everything is connected, everything is vulnerable, and the threat actors are just getting more sophisticated.”

Since many people continue to work from home due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, hackers are trying to exploit remote connections and gain access to corporate networks. Bank information, passwords, and other data can be used to hold accounts “hostage” by hackers.

Most businesses do not fully understand how exposed they are, as cybercrimes typically go unreported. Though the overall number of cybercrimes is not made public, a jump in notable metrics raised alarms for many experts.

According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, data breaches that took place within the first nine months of 2021 were higher than the entire year of 2020 combined. The total amount paid to hackers during the first six months of 2021 was $590 million, as reported by banks and the like, according to the Department of the Treasury. Previously, the highest total was $416 million, set in 2020.

And the threat from hackers isn’t only on your PC or laptop: hackers are now targeting smartphone users worldwide. Two-factor authentication, biometrics, and push notifications are going to be essential in the fight against cybercriminals. Phishing is transitioning to mobile phones through e-mail, text messages, and QR-code scanning.

To win the fight against hackers, consumers need to ensure their information is encrypted and securely protected. Unfortunately, hackers will continue to find ways to infiltrate our electronics and gain access to our personal information.

Are you struggling to lock down all of your data? Contact the experts at CPS today. We can help protect your devices from hackers and ensure you are ready for potential threats.

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.

Creative Programs and Systems

Novel AI Might Predict Heart Attacks

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

New research published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine shows how physicians can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict heart attacks. The study included 293 participants with coronary artery disease; 22 people experienced a myocardial event during the 53-month follow-up period.

When used in combination with F-sodium fluoride (F-NaF) and quantitative coronary plaque analysis (via CT angiography) along with clinical findings, physicians can easily predict the risk of myocardial infractions.

Predicting heart attacks has been challenging in everyday clinical practice and is typically based on cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with coronary artery disease can have underlying conditions despite high scores.

Pitor J. Slomka, Ph.D., FACC, FASNC, FCCPM, director of Innovation in Imaging at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said, “Recently, advanced imaging techniques have demonstrated considerable promise in determining which coronary artery disease patients are most at risk for a heart attack. These techniques include 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) PET, which assesses disease activity in the coronary arteries, and CT angiography, which provides a quantitative plaque analysis. Our goal in the study was to investigate whether the information provided by 18F-NaF PET and CT angiography is complementary and could improve prediction of heart attacks with the use of artificial intelligence techniques.”

The AI-assisted process exhibited a significant advancement in predicting heart attacks rather than employing clinical data alone.

Slomka said, “F-NaF PET combined with anatomical imaging provided by CT angiography has the potential to enable precision medicine by guiding the use of advanced therapeutic interventions. Our study supports the use of artificial intelligence methods for integrating multimodality imaging and clinical data for robust prediction of heart attacks.”

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.

Acceletronics

Seven Ways to Heat your Home in an Emergency

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The cold weather peak has arrived; preparing your home for emergency heating is essential. Knowing what to do and how to prepare for cold weather is imperative in keeping you and your family safe and warm without a heat source.

  1. Hand Warmers: These small, portable warmers are a quick and easy way to protect your vulnerable extremities. Don’t succumb to frostbite; grab some hand warmers to get toasty.
  2. Kerosene Heaters: Though smelly, kerosene heaters are a fantastic heat source. They do not require electricity or wires and have been used for centuries to warm people up.
  3. Power Sources: Consider installing a generator or other source of alternative energy to power your furnace or other heating source such as electrical heaters. During emergencies, a generator might be essential to your survival.
  4. Camping Stove: A double-whammy, these can be used to make food and also heat the room. Camping cooking bags typically come with heat packs that can also produce instant heat when added to water.
  5. Gel Fuel Cans: These are generally for one-time use but can help provide heat in emergencies.
  6. Easy Insulation: One of the simplest tricks to contain heat in a home is to add insulation to the designated heating room. Add blankets to vents, windows, and ensure everyone stays in the same room for warmth.
  7. Wood Stoves: These can be used for heat during emergencies, but make sure you have enough firewood to use as fuel.

Looking for alternative heating options? You’ve come to the right place. Check out our gear and supplies at Wolf Survival Gear.

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.

Wolf Survival Gear

Easy Car Projects for Winter Storage

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Do you have a special little sports car that’s tucked away for winter storage? That vintage vehicle that you’ve been working on through the years? If you’re feeling some separation anxiety, have no fear, there are a few things you can do to keep the car in good condition throughout winter.

Dent Inventory
Have you been meaning to fix some of those dents and dings on your car’s exterior? Now is an excellent time to take an inventory of the indentations. Find a reputable dent specialist and schedule an appointment to pop those dings out.

Wash & Polish
When the car is headed to or from storage, hose it down to remove surface scum, then apply some car wash shampoo with a giant sponge. Wipe all moisture off with a microfiber cloth to minimize streaks and water spots, then get some high-quality vehicle wax to buff out the shine.

Interior Clean
Upholstery and odors are two aspects of a vehicle’s interior that often get overlooked. Leather cleaning sprays can be helpful to wipe down the seats, followed by a conditioner to ensure the seats do not crack or dry out. Odors can arise in a vehicle despite your best efforts to keep them out. To remedy this, treat your interior with an odor eliminator, which will chemically alter the molecules in the air.

Fix It
Winter is the ideal time to mend anything you can on the vehicle. Have you been putting off replacing your spark plugs, getting an oil change, flushing your coolant, or more? Now’s the time to get ‘er done.

Looking to get your vehicle in tip-top shape while the winter season lingers on? Drive it into 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.

Team CAMC

Pedestrian Safety Tips

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Commercial property management can be overwhelming at times. With projects, tenants, and more to keep track of, overgrown shrubs or lawn maintenance can easily slip by. Properties should draw the attention of customers and pedestrians because of great curb appeal, not from improper maintenance such as ice-covered walkways or uneven concrete sidewalks.

Pedestrian safety should be of utmost importance, especially during the winter months when slip-and-fall accidents are inevitable without salting or shoveling. Tenants, visitors, and the like are susceptible to accidents on commercial properties, making the property owner liable for injuries.

With all of this in mind, is your commercial property safe for pedestrians? It is the property manager’s duty to ensure their business is free from any red flags or potential problems, which could lead to liabilities.

In addition to the more obvious winter traction issues, there are other aspects of pedestrian safety to keep in mind during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

For example, poor soil composition can cause paved surfaces, retaining walls, landscape beds, etc., to shift, causing ground hazards. Loose handrails are also an important aspect of pedestrian accessibility. Check handrails regularly to ensure they are not loose or on the verge of collapse.

When it comes to landscaped areas, overgrown shrubs or other plants can obstruct pathways and become an obstacle for passersby. Visibility can also become an issue and even impede the view of oncoming traffic.

Don’t fall susceptible to liability caused by property damage or poor maintenance – schedule a consultation with T&T Property Maintenance today.

T&T Property Maintenance has been visualizing, creating, and maintaining commercial properties since 1997. We offer a vast number of services for our clients, including lawn and landscape maintenance, irrigation set up and repair, fertilization, weed and pest control, snow plowing and salting, and tree trimming and stump grinding. We are licensed with the Michigan Department of Agriculture, so you can rest assured we will do the job right – every time. We work with commercial businesses of any size and offer our services in seasonal or yearly packages, and a la carte. For over 20 years, we believe a satisfied customer is the only kind of customer. Check out our website, call, or e-mail us today to learn more.

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

T&T Property Maintenance

Exploring Generator Maintenance Plans

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Standby generators are similar to vehicle engines, requiring routine maintenance to perform adequately. A generator maintenance plan is essential to ensure your generator runs in tip-top shape. These plans can be altered to your schedule by including regularly scheduled inspections, filter/fluid changes, disposal of fluids, oil analysis, and comprehensive system test.

With scheduled maintenance, minor problems are quickly identified and can be corrected before becoming huge issues. When you need a backup power supply, it’s crucial to ensure your generator is working efficiently. Poorly maintained generators are more susceptible to damage, failure, and losing warranty status. For this reason, many manufacturers require maintenance plans as a condition of the warranty.

Before choosing a generator maintenance plan, keep in mind:

Frequency
How often will your generator be running? The more frequently it operates, the more upkeep is likely needed. Hospital generators, for example, might need service on a weekly basis, while generators for homes might only need to be serviced annually.

Requirements
What do you need your generator for? Are you using it for lights and power within your home, servers and computers, or perhaps critical care medical equipment? The greater the liability, the higher the maintenance need.

Compliance
Some facilities are required by law to comply with local or national codes for standby power systems. NFPA 110 is a standard that entails installation, maintenance, operation, and generator testing. If a code is required for your business, make sure your service agreement includes additional services, including load banking, fuel testing, and automatic transfer switch maintenance. 

Service
Ensure the company you select to service your generator is licensed and certified by a manufacturer. Technicians should be trained, certified, and ready to handle the most challenging generator maintenance conditions.

Need help? State Electric Company installs and maintains generators. Call to schedule your generator inspection today or visit our website to learn more.   

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. State Electric Co. is also an exclusive distributor for Enel X JuiceBox EV chargers for residential and commercial use. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to install charging stations for homes, offices, hotels, and more. With our extensive knowledge in renewable energy, our team provides customers – large or small – with efficient electrical solutions. Contact us today to learn how we can safely and affordably meet your energy needs.

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

State Electric Co.

Declining Eyesight Improved with Red Light Therapy

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

A novel study by researchers at UCL found that three minutes of exposure to deep red light once a week can vastly improve deteriorating eyesight.

The study, published in Scientific Reports, outlines how using longwave deep red light in the morning activated mitochondria cells in the human retina, repairing declining vision. Previous studies focused on higher energy levels and different times of the day to perform the therapy.

Overall, researchers discovered an average of 17 percent improvement in color contrast vision when exposed to three minutes of deep red light in the morning, which lasted at least a week. The same test, performed in the afternoon, showed no vision improvement.

Researchers’ findings exhibit a breakthrough for eye health which could lead to more affordable home-based therapies. Millions of people suffer worldwide from naturally declining vision, which could be improved with just three minutes of red light therapy every morning.

Professor Glen Jeffery, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, lead author, said, “We demonstrate that one single exposure to longwave deep red light in the morning can significantly improve declining vision, which is a major health and wellbeing issue, affecting millions of people globally. This simple intervention applied at the population level would significantly impact on quality of life as people age and would likely result in reduced social costs that arise from problems associated with reduced vision.”

Working with Planet Lighting UK, Jeffery aims to produce 670nm infrared eyewear at an affordable price; other LED devices made specifically for the same purpose can cost more than $20,000.

Jeffery said, “The technology is simple and very safe; the energy delivered by 670nm long wave light is not that much greater than that found in natural environmental light. Given its simplicity, I am confident an easy-to-use device can be made available at an affordable cost to the general public. In the near future, a once a week three-minute exposure to deep red light could be done while making a coffee, or on the commute listening to a podcast, and such a simple addition could transform eye care and vision around the world.”

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.

Michigan Lasik