Senate District 7 Updates

Friends, 

As the holiday season approaches and the weather starts getting colder, I urge you to take precautions to protect yourself and your family against the COVID-19 and flu viruses so that we may all enjoy healthy and happy holiday gatherings. 

Included in this newsletter below is information about expanded hours of operation at Secretary of State branch offices, winter emergency preparedness tips, a reminder to stay wary of scam emails and other cyber threats, along with an additional reminder to check your carbon monoxide detectors.  

As always, it’s an honor to serve you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.  

Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
7th District

SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICES TO OFFER EVENING HOURS ON WEDNESDAYS 

As of Nov. 3, Secretary of State offices have shifted Wednesday hours to stay open until 7 p.m. to provide services to residents who cannot visit offices during traditional business hours. 

Visits during Wednesday evening hours on Nov. 3 are now available for booking at Michigan.gov/SOS. Wednesday hours will now be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time). 

The department releases thousands of office visits twice per day, every business day for residents to book online at Michigan.gov/SOS or by calling 888-SOS-MICH. Residents can also walk up to any office and they will be served immediately if there is availability or assisted with scheduling a return visit at a time convenient for them. 

WINTER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TIPS 

With winter weather approaching and Nov. 7-13 recognized as Winter Hazards Awareness Week, the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is encouraging Michigan residents to prioritize winter emergency preparedness. 

To prepare your home for winter:  

• Weatherproof your home by installing weather stripping and caulking and insulating walls, doors, and windows. 
• Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls, so pipes are less likely to freeze. 
• Lock in a propane rate now and have a backup heating plan, such as a generator, wood stove, or fireplace. 
• Have gas or oil furnaces inspected by a qualified professional and change the air filter every two to four months. 
• Have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected. Contact your local fire department for a referral or look for a local inspector online. 
• Install battery operated carbon monoxide (CO) detectors near sleeping areas. CO poisoning is more common in the winter months when furnaces are turned on and portable generators are often used for electricity during power outages. 
• Clean gutters to prevent ice dams from forming. Roof ice dams can cause water to build up, leading to interior damage. 
• Clear storm drains along the curb to enable water to drain. If plugged, water has the potential to go into low-lying areas and flood basements. 
• Have an emergency preparedness kit stored safely in your house that includes water, nonperishable food, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a battery or hand-crank powered radio, emergency lighting or flashlights, extra blankets, and warm clothing. 

To prepare your vehicle for winter:  

• Have your radiator system serviced, replace windshield wipers, and refill wiper fluid. 
• Replace any worn tires and check air pressure regularly. 
• Have your brakes, brake fluid, oil, car battery, heater, and exhaust checked to make sure everything is running efficiently.  
• Keep an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle stocked with batteries, battery powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, windshield scraper, jumper cables, mobile phone charger, shovel, blankets, first aid kit, non-perishable food, and bottled water in the event you get stranded or stuck. 

For more tips, visit Michigan.gov/MIReady or follow the MSP/EMHSD on Twitter at @MichEMHS. 

AG NESSEL REISSUES CONSUMER ALERT FOLLOWING FTC WARNING ON FAKE IRS EMAILS 

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing a consumer alert focused on federal stimulus payment scams following a release by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about fake IRS emails that are showing up in peoples’ inboxes.     

Late last month, the FTC warned consumers of an email offering an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) if the recipient clicks a link. Clicking it creates an opportunity for a scammer to steal the person’s identity. If consumers receive a text, email, or phone call from someone claiming to be from the government with a check for them, they should not fall for it. These scams will likely ask for bank account information or other personal information that can then be used to steal identities. 

Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General’s website, or by calling 877-765-8388.   

MICHIGANDERS REMINDED TO CHECK CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS AS COLD WEATHER HITS 

As the temperatures continue to drop and winter approaches, Michiganders are urged to take action to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.  

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a gas that forms whenever a fossil fuel is burned. You cannot see, taste, or smell CO, but it can be deadly when you breathe it in. CO is dangerous because it blocks your body from taking in the oxygen it needs and can cause serious illness or death in just minutes. 

Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide include headache, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and confusion. At high levels, carbon monoxide can cause death within minutes. If you suspect you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, or your detector sounds an alarm, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911. 

Hospitalizations for carbon monoxide poisoning are preventable when people are prepared. To protect from carbon monoxide, follow these safety tips:  

• Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors. Detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, are strongly recommended.  
• Have your furnace or wood-burning stove inspected annually. Hire a professional to make sure it is functionally sound and vents properly outside the home.  
• Never run a gasoline, kerosene, or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or in an unventilated garage. Any heating system that burns fuel produces carbon monoxide. 
• Generators should be run at a safe distance (at least 20 feet) from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage or right next to windows or doors.  
• Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running, you must have a garage door open to the outside.   

Visit Michigan.gov/MiTracking for more information about carbon monoxide poisoning.