5 Things: No School, Pond Hockey, Free Throw Competition & 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. Chance of Snow Monday in Foxborough

Today’s weather in Foxborough, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for a chance of snow showers, mainly after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 28. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Monday night: Snow showers likely, mainly after 9 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 14. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 7 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

2. Foxborough Knights of Columbus to Hold Annual Free Throw Competition Monday

The Foxborough/Sharon Knights of Columbus annual Free Throw Championship will be held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 21) at the Ahern Middle School gymnasium.

Registration and warm-ups will be held from 6 to 6:30 p.m. with the competition beginning at 6:30 p.m. The competition is open to all boys and girls, ages 10 to 14 as of Jan. 1, 2013. Participants are asked to bring proof of age to registration.

Top finishers in each age group will receive plaques and move on to the regional level competition. 

For more information, contact Greg Calabrese (508) 698-0890.

3. Foxborough Schools Closed Monday

All Foxborough schools are closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

4. Patriot Place Events:

Opening Rounds of the 2013 Pond Hockey Tournament: Third Annual Pond Hockey Tournament at Winter Skate at Patriot Place – Foxboro Presented by Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare begins Jan. 21 and runs thru Jan. 26 with multiple competitive divisions.
The tournament takes place the week between the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl XLVII on Patriot Place’s Outdoor Refrigerated Rink. Weeknight games are played under the lights. Each team can roster up to 10 players. The league is a no-check men’s tournament with four players on the ice at one time. Games consist of two 15-minute halves. All teams play a minimum of three games. Cost is $320 per team in advance and limited to first 32 teams to sign up. For more information, call (508) 203-2100.

5. Red Cross Issues Steps to Help Kids Avoid the Flu

Health officials are reporting widespread influenza outbreaks in 47 of 50 states, up from just a week ago. One age group hit particularly hard is children, and the American Red Cross has some steps parents can teach their kids to help them avoid getting sick.

WASHING HANDS

Kids have a way of picking up colds and other illnesses. Parents should teach children proper hand washing techniques and how to correctly cover coughs or sneezes. Wash hands with soap and warm water. When using soap and water:

Wash for at least 20 seconds, covering the entire hand including fingernails and under jewelry. Younger children can be taught to sing a short song like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," or the "Happy Birthday" song a few times, which will ensure they wash for at least 20 seconds.

Rinse and dry thoroughly with a disposable towel.

Use the towel to turn off the faucet. If using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer: Rub thoroughly over the entire hand, including nail areas and between the fingers. Continue to rub until the product dries.

SAFETY STEPS

The most important thing parents can do is get children six months of age or older a flu vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Children’s caregivers should also get vaccinated. Other steps parents can take include keeping surfaces disinfected and keeping a sick person in a separate room in the household if possible.

IF THE CHILD BECOMES ILL

If a child gets sick, parents should consult their doctor. They should also make sure their child gets plenty of rest and fluids. If the child is breathing fast or having trouble breathing, has bluish or gray skin color, refuses to drink, is vomiting, is irritable or has trouble staying awake, parents should get the child medical help right away.

Information on what to do if someone has the flu is available on the free Red Cross First Aid mobile app available for iPhone and Android devices. Visit redcross.org/FluTips for more information.