The American Red Cross encourages families to prevent kitchen fires today by taking some basic safety measures. In the U.S., Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking fires, 90 percent of which are caused by unattended cooking.

“We all think of Thanksgiving as a time for family, good food and football, but it’s also prime time for cooking fires,” said Beth Ferguson, Development Director for the American Red Cross –Heart of Tennessee Chapter. “Taking a few simple precautions can help everyone have a safe and happy holiday.”

To keep Thanksgiving fire-free, the public should follow these ten tips:

1.  Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

2.  If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

3.  Be alert. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.

4.  Keep anything that can catch fire—potholders, wooden utensils, food wrappers, towels or curtains—away from your stove top.

5.  Make sure your sleeves are out of the way when cooking. Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves. 

6.  Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

7.  Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.

8.  Turn the handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.

9.  Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.

10. Test your smoke alarms by pushing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year.

MTSU will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24-25, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, University officials said.

No classes will be held, and all offices will be closed as students, faculty, staff and administrators observe the holiday. Also, no classes will be held Saturday, Nov. 26.

All fall-semester classes will resume at their regularly scheduled times on Monday, Nov. 28, and all offices will reopen at 8 a.m.

Thanksgiving dinner for students will be served in the Scarlett Commons Clubhouse Thursday from 2 until 5 p.m. The MTSU Parents Association, MT Dining and the Department of Housing and Residential Life are sponsoring the meal.

For students and others staying on campus, McCallie Dining Hall will be open Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. All other food venues will be closed until Sunday, when Cyber Café and Starbucks in the James E. Walker Library both reopen at 3 p.m.

The library will be open Sunday, Nov. 27, at its normal hours, 1 p.m. to midnight. The Campus Recreation Center’s facilities will reopen at 6 a.m. Monday.

In case of campus emergencies, call MTSU Police at 615-898-2424.

— Randy Weiler ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

TDOT Halts All Lane Closure Activity for Busy Holiday Travel Period

NASHVILLE, TN - Thanksgiving travelers will enjoy a smooth drive through Tennessee again this year during this busy travel holiday. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will halt all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. All construction related lane closures will be stopped beginning at noon on Wednesday, November 23 until 6:00 a.m. Monday, November 28.

"Nearly a million people are expected to use Tennessee roadways to visit family and friends this holiday," said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. "We want to provide maximum capacity, alleviate as much congestion as possible, and help travelers avoid unnecessary delays."

While all lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on site in some construction zones. Motorists are reminded to drive safely and obey the posted speeds, especially in work zones. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

"Drivers can expect to see increased law enforcement on the roads this Thanksgiving holiday," said Governor's Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole. "We want everyone to have a safe holiday so remember to buckle up, drive the speed limit and don't get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you've had anything to drink."

Some long term lane closures will remain in place on some construction projects for motorist's safety.

AAA predicts holiday travel will increase 4% this Thanksgiving. An estimated 872,000 people are expected to travel by automobile in Tennessee. Across the U.S. 42.5 million are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this year, with 38.2 million of those choosing to drive to their holiday destination.

For up-to-date travel information, motorists can call 5-1-1 from any land line or cell phone or visit www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway. Smart phone users can use the TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT's SmartWay cameras, incident information and messages displayed on overhead Dynamic Message Signs. Travelers can also get instant traffic alerts by following TDOT on Twitter. For a list of available Twitter feeds visit www.tn.gov/tdot/mediaroom/info.htm.Motorists are reminded that texting while driving is against the law in Tennessee, so please use these motorist information tools responsibly.

Murfreesboro, TN - With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the American Red Cross encourages families to prevent kitchen fires by taking some basic safety measures. In the U.S., Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking fires, 90 percent of which are caused by unattended cooking.

“We all think of Thanksgiving as a time for family, good food and football, but it’s also prime time for cooking fires,” said Beth Ferguson, Development Director for the American Red Cross –Heart of Tennessee Chapter. “Taking a few simple precautions can help everyone have a safe and happy holiday.”

To keep Thanksgiving fire-free, the public should follow these ten tips:

1.  Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

2.  If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

3.  Be alert. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.

4.  Keep anything that can catch fire—potholders, wooden utensils, food wrappers, towels or curtains—away from your stove top.

5.  Make sure your sleeves are out of the way when cooking. Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves.

6.  Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

7.  Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.

8.  Turn the handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.

9.  Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.

10. Test your smoke alarms by pushing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year.

Year-round Safety

In addition to preventing cooking fires, families can stay safe all year by following these additional tips:

• Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoke Alarms

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Check monthly that smoke alarms are working properly by pushing the test button.
• At least once a year, replace the batteries in your smoke alarms; every 10 years, replace the entire smoke alarm.

Make a Fire Escape Plan

• Make sure all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Decide where you will meet outside in case of fire.
• Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

For more information and safety tips check out www.midtnredcross.org. 

Tennessee drivers beware. The Governor's Highway Safety Office (GHSO) is teaming with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and local law enforcement agencies all across the state through the busy Thanksgiving travel season to crack down on traffic safety violations.

State and local law enforcement will be out in force to remind all drivers and passengers to never drink and drive, always buckle up, obey the speed limit, and eliminate all distractions inside their vehicles while driving.

This special enforcement crackdown is part of the state's new "More Cops. More Stops." campaign, which will focus on saving lives on Tennessee's roadways.

"Unfortunately, the holiday season brings a higher number of injuries and fatalities on Tennessee roadways," said Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer. "Many of those tragedies could be prevented by obeying basic highway safety laws. Over the next several days, drivers can expect 'More Cops and More Stops' across the state as we try to keep everyone safe this Thanksgiving."

Sixty-nine percent of 18 to 34 year old passenger vehicle occupants killed in Tennessee crashes in 2009 were NOT wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

"Not wearing your seat belt will get you a ticket, but we will also be cracking down on speeding and distracted driving, and especially on anyone drinking and driving," said THP Colonel Tracy Trott.

Nearly one-third of those killed on Tennessee's highways in 2009 involved drivers or motorcycle operators with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above at the time of the deadly crash.

Tennessee is one of only two states partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on this important national demonstration project. The 'More Cops. More Stops.' project will test the effectiveness of a new combined high visibility enforcement campaign designed to reduce drunk driving, boost seat belt use, and crack down on speeding and distracted driving, particularly among young adult males.  Research and fatal crash statistics show that young adult males are most likely to practice high-risk behaviors while driving, such as not wearing seat belts and/or drinking and driving.

"Impaired driving will not be tolerated. There will be no warnings or excuses. If you drive drunk, you will be stopped and you will be arrested," said Director Kendell Poole, GHSO. "But speeding, distracted driving and failing to wear your seat belt will also cost you. Please help us get the word out this Thanksgiving season. During the 'More Cops. More Stops.' campaign, we will be out in force to help save more lives on Tennessee's roadways."

MURFREESBORO TN - While MTSU will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, certain areas of the campus will be open and serving the campus community during the extended holiday weekend. The areas include:Campus Recreation Center – Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday; closed Nov. 25-27; open from 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday; and reopen at 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 29.

ARAMARK/MT Dining (food service) – The JUB Raider Zone, McCallie Dining Hall and KUC Grill will close at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; all other dining service venues will be closed Thursday, but a Thanksgiving dinner, sponsored by the MTSU Parents Association, MT Dining and Housing and Residential Life, will be served in the Scarlett Commons Clubhouse from 2 to 5 p.m.; McCallie Dining Hall will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (all other food venues closed Nov. 26-27); and Cyber Café will be open from 6 p.m. Nov. 28 to 2 a.m. Nov. 29. Keathley University Center and James Union Building – Both will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday; JUB will be closed Nov. 25-28; and KUC will be closed Nov. 25-27, but open from 4 to 11 p.m. Nov. 28.

MURFREESBORO, TN - With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the American Red Cross encourages families to prevent kitchen fires by taking some basic safety measures. In the U.S., Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking fires, 90 percent of which are caused by unattended cooking.

“We all think of Thanksgiving as a time for family, good food and football, but it’s also prime time for cooking fires,” said Greg King, CEO of the American Red Cross –Heart of Tennessee Chapter. “Taking a few simple precautions can help everyone have a safe and happy holiday.”

To keep Thanksgiving fire-free, the public should follow these ten tips:

1.  Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

2.  If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

3.  Be alert. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.

4.  Keep anything that can catch fire—potholders, wooden utensils, food wrappers, towels or curtains—away from your stove top.

5.  Make sure your sleeves are out of the way when cooking. Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves.

6.  Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

7.  Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.

8.  Turn the handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.

9.  Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.

10. Test your smoke alarms by pushing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year.

Year-round Safety

In addition to preventing cooking fires, families can stay safe all year by following these additional tips:

• Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoke Alarms

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Check monthly that smoke alarms are working properly by pushing the test button.
• At least once a year, replace the batteries in your smoke alarms; every 10 years, replace the entire smoke alarm.

Make a Fire Escape Plan

• Make sure all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Decide where you will meet outside in case of fire.
• Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

The Salvation Army is in need of turkey donations for its annual Thanksgiving meal. Pre-cooked turkeys may be delivered to the Salvation Army at 1137 West Main Street in Murfreesboro through Tuesday, November 23^rd and turkeys that are not cooked may be delivered to the Salvation Army by Sunday, November 21^st. Deliveries made on Saturday or Sunday should be done between 4:30 PM and 9:30 PM to the shelter entrance of the facility. For more information, please contact the Salvation Army at (615) 895-7071.

NASHVILLE, TN – Thanksgiving travelers will enjoy a smooth drive through Tennessee again this year during the busy travel holiday. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways in anticipation of higher traffic volumes across the state. All construction related lane closures will be stopped beginning at noon on Wednesday, November 24 until 6:00 a.m. Monday, November 29.

“Nearly a million people are expected to use Tennessee roadways to visit family and friends this holiday,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “By removing the lane closures from Wednesday until Monday, those travelers will have maximum roadway capacity to help them reach their destinations safely and without delays.”

While all lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on site in some construction zones. Motorists are reminded to drive safely and obey the posted speeds, especially in work zones. Drivers convicted of speeding in work zones where workers are present face a fine of up to $500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

“Drivers can expect to see increased law enforcement on the roads this Thanksgiving holiday,” said Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Kendell Poole. “We want everyone to have a safe holiday so remember to buckle up, drive the speed limit and don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve had anything to drink.”

Some long term lane closures will remain in place on some construction projects for motorists safety.

AAA predicts holiday travel will be up slightly this Thanksgiving. An estimated 927,000 people are expected to travel by automobile in Tennessee. Across the U.S. 42.2 million are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this year which is a 11.4% increase over 2009 when 37.9 million traveled for the holiday. Of the 42.2 million travelers nationwide, 94% or 39.7 million people plan to drive to their destinations.

The Middle Tennessee Association of REALTORS® made a substantial donation to the Food Bank at the Rutherford County Emergency Food Bank in Murfreesboro Monday as part of their “From Our Home To Yours” Food Drive Program. REALTORS® from Rutherford County collected canned goods and other non-perishable food items for the drive, which can be distributed to hungry families in our area. This contribution is part of a larger initiative by MTAR, which held similar food drives in 4 other counties across Middle Tennessee.

“It was important to us that the food we raised within our communities stay in our communities,” explained MTAR 2010 President-Elect Janet Nettles of Coffee County Realty & Auction in Manchester. “We wanted to make sure that our friends and neighbors were the ones to benefit from our food drive, which is why are proud to call this project ‘From Our Home To Yours.’ This was our second year hosting such a Food Drive, and we’re thrilled to already see an increased response and participation over last year!” Within Rutherford County, MTAR members from Bob Parks Realty (Smyrna), Clark Maples Realty & Auction, Exit Realty Bob Lamb & Associates, Keller Williams Realty, Priority Partners Realty, and T. Wright Properties contributed to deliver bundles of food to the Food Bank.

“REALTORS® have a responsibility to improve and contribute to the communities in which we live and work,” noted MTAR 2010 Public Relations Chairman Marty Holder of Exit Realty Bob Lamb & Associates in Murfreesboro. “I’m thrilled to see so many of our members get behind an effort to provide food to the needy in our own communities. I’m hoping that, thanks to our efforts, at least a few more families can have a great Thanksgiving this year.”

The Middle Tennessee Association of REALTORS® is a not-for-profit trade association serving over 1,500 real estate professionals across the Middle Tennessee region. The mission of MTAR is to provide its members with state of the art tools, training and support to ensure that all members have the ability to become ethical, professional and successful REALTORS®. MTAR engages in several community service and charity projects each year, including the 4^th Grade Foresters project, National Make-A-Difference Day, Toys for Tots, and multiple charity golf tournaments to raise money for college scholarships, diabetes research, and the Coffee County Readers of Tomorrow program. For more information, visit www.mtar.org or call toll-free 877-893-2242.