Smithfield FD Shares Christmas Tree Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

Follow these tips to keep your home or business — and loved ones — safe this year.

  If you're planning to have a live tree for this year's holiday season, be sure to review this safety advice provided by the Smithfield Fire Department. Fire Chief Robert Seltzer noted that, while decorating one's home and business is a "long-standing tradition, these same decorations may increase [peoples'] chances of fires." Seltzer provided the list of safety tips published by the U.S. Fire Administration, including: And, whether it's the holiday season or not, Seltzer urged residents and business owners to have a "comprehensive fire protection plan" as recommended by the USFA, which includes smoke and fire detectors, sprinklers in homes and businesses, and an escape plan.

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5 Things for Thursday: More Sun, Tasty Treats, Bright Lights & More

Start your day the right way with a check of Johnston events, news, and celebrity birthdays.

  Smithfield Weather: Tasty Treats: Marian J. Mohr Library in Johnston hosts Edible Art, a chance for students in grades 6 to 12 to make something yummy for the holidays. Starts at 2:30 pm. Bright Lights: Is your abode awash in colors? Are your mechanical reindeer grazing on your roof? Show off your holiday decorations in the Patch Deck the House Contest — you could win $100,000 for Smithfield schools and $500 to defray the electric bill. Post It: It may not be a sticky note, but an entry on the JohnstonPatch calendar is as good as one — click here to add your event to the calendar [Patch profile or Facebook account required]. Celebrity Birthdays:

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5 Things To Know Today

Five Things for Tuesday: Clearing, Connections, Cards, Colors & More

Check today's weather, news, and events in Johnston.

  Smithfield Weather: Connections: Looking for a unique way to make contacts with other businesspeople and grow your business? The North Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "speed networking" event this morning starting at 7:30 am. Get your coffee early and click here for more info. Cards: Marian J. Mohr Library hosts the second week of its Card Tournament today at 2:30 pm. For students in grades 6 to 12. Colors: Is your house decorated for the holidays? If you think you've got a showcase abode, enter the Patch "Deck the House" contest and show off your work. Celebrity Birthdays:

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Do You Say 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays'?

You might be surprised at the results of a poll on the subject.

  Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? When it comes to season’s greetings, a new poll shows that the majority of Americans prefer “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays.” According to a survey from Rasmussen Reports, 68 percent of people polled prefer the traditional “Merry Christmas” while just 23 percent like "Happy Holidays," which can cover a variety of occasions. When it comes to holiday signs, a whopping 70 percent of shoppers polled said they prefer to be greeted with “Merry Christmas” in stores rather than the more neutral Happy Holidays, according to a Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. It doesn't end there. There have been "Christmas Trees" banned or replaced with "Holiday Trees," nativity scenes scrapped to avoid …

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Win $100,000 for Smithfield Schools in Our 'Deck the House' Contest

Show off your decorating skills and enter our nationwide search for the best-looking holiday house.

Holiday Events at the Crossing at Smithfield for Dec. 7 and 8

The local shopping center is hosting several events, including a book signing by TV chef Tyler Florence, today and tomorrow.

  Are you heading to the Crossing at Smithfield, 371 Putnam Pike, to do some holiday shopping this weekend? Here's the list of events scheduled for Dec. 7 and 8 at the local retail center:  Friday, Dec. 7: Saturday, Dec. 8: A number of retailers are also continuing their toy collection drive in partnership with the Smithfield Police Department: Barnes & Noble, Cox Communications, Dave’s Fresh Marketplace, Gap, The Home Depot, Lane Bryant LOFT, Michaels, Old Navy, Target, Uno Chicago Grill, Verizon Wireless, and Yankee Candle Find more information — including a store directory of the Crossing at Smithfield — attached to this article.

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