Oak Ridge Today

Keep your holidays from going up in flames!

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State fire marshal offers tips for a safely decorated home

NASHVILLE—The winter holiday season should be a joyous time of year. However, certain types of fires and injuries associated with decorating are all too common and can put a damper on holiday celebrations.

“Nearly half of holiday decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source,” says State Fire Marshal and Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “To decrease your risk for a home fire, keep fire safety in mind as you deck the halls this season.”

Candles are widely used in homes throughout the holidays, and December is the peak month for home candle fires. The National Fire Protection Association’s statistics show that two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages Tennesseans to consider using flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles. However, if you do use traditional candles, keep them at least 12” away from anything that can burn, and remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid using candles in the bedroom, where one-third of U.S. candle fires begin or other areas where people may fall asleep. [Read more…]

Generous Christmas spirits make Holiday Lights shine at Methodist

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Marc Beaubien, Debbie Scarbrough, Clay Good

Holiday Lights guest speaker, Marc Beaubien, left, stands before the illuminated tree with with Debbie Scarbrough, Hospitality House coordinator, and Clay Good, Holiday Lights chair. (Submitted photos)

The Hospitality Houses of Methodist Medical Center provide a home away from home for cancer patients and their families who come to Methodist Medical Center for treatment. Nearly 4,000 guests have been welcomed into Methodist’s two houses, the Manly House and the CALM House. Thanks to the community’s generosity during the annual Holiday Lights campaign, the houses will continue to provide lodging, food and comfort to the guests who pass through their doors.

Holiday Lights is the annual fundraiser that supports Methodist’s Hospitality Houses through the sponsorship of lights. The Methodist Medical Center Foundation held a dedication ceremony on Dec. 6 to thank this year’s donors, who gave their support by contributing $28,000 to Holiday Lights, an amount which has continued to grow even as the official campaign comes to a close. The money raised through the campaign is used to pay for the houses’ daily operations, utilities, food, and overall upkeep.

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