5 Things for Oct. 8: Columbus Day, Design Your Own Guitar, Photo Contest, Fire Safety Week and More

Editor's note: Five Things You Need To Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. If you know of something happening in town that did not make our list, please add it in the comment section!

1. A Partly Sunny, Fall Day in Foxborough

Today’s weather in Foxborough, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for partly sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph. Monday night: A chance of rain, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Light east wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

2. What's Open and Closed on Columbus Day in Foxborough?

Today is Columbus Day, a federal holiday since 1934. Many businesses are open today, however some may have reduced hours.

Town municipal offices, state and federal level are closed, including:

• Foxborough Town Hall
• All schools
• School administration offices
• The Boyden Library
• There is no mail delivery
• Due to Monday, holiday trash pickup will be delayed one day in Foxborough. 

3. Knights of Columbus Family Fun Picture Contest

Foxborough's Knights of Columbus is hosting a family picture contest from now until Oct. 15. Submit one picture of your family taken during the year 2012. It can be creative, funny, serious, silly, etc. The winner receives a Loewen's gift card and the photos will be displayed for one week at the Boyden Library. 

All pictures will be displayed from Oct. 22-27. Cast your vote for your favorite picture. Once the vote is tallied, Knights of Columbus will pick a name from all the votes and that person wins a gift card to Dairy Queen.

More rules: All photos must be submitted by Oct. 15. One photo per family and it must be of your own family. By submitting your photo you agree to have it displayed for public viewing. E-mail your pictures, along with your name, address and telephone number to lbbubencik@comcast.net. All photos will be displayed at the Boyden library for one week. You may also send a hard copy to Knights of Columbus, PO Box 313, Foxboro, MA  02035 ATTN: Bob Bubencik. Be sure to put your name, address and phone number on the pictures.

4. It's Fire Safety Week

Did you know this week is Fire Safety Week across the country? Across the United States, a fire department responds to a fire approximately every 23 seconds. To recognize Fire Safety Week, here's a compilation of fire safety tips, statistics, and facts from The National Fire Sprinkler Association:

• Make an escape plan
• Install smoke detectors in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and check the batteries often
• Install fire sprinklers throughout your house
• Once you’re out, stay out! Do not re-enter a burning building
• Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year

Tips for Children

• Never touch matches, candles or lighters. Make sure you tell an adult immediately if you see matches or a lighter in a room.
• Don’t cook alone.
• Remind your parents to turn pot handles toward the center of the stove.
• Never stick anything in an electric socket.
• Never hang anything on a lamp, heater, or radiator.
• Always let an adult know if there is any kind of smoke or fire in your house.
• If there is a fire, get out fast.
• Once you are out of the house, call 9-1-1 immediately.
• In case of fire, develop an escape plan with your parents.  Plan for two possible escape routes out of your house.  Practice your escape plan with your parents several times a year.
• Stay low to the floor when escaping a fire, as smoke rises and makes it difficult to see.

For more information on National Fire Prevention Week and local events in your area, visit www.NFPA.org.  

5. Patriot Place Events:

• 11 a.m. - Fall Fun Event - Creation Station: Join Patriot Place for hands-on art activities that explore a wide range of art media and tools. Today you can design your own guitar.