NASHVILLE, TN – According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year in America more than 150 people die from accidental, non-fire related carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with consumer products. These products include faulty, improperly used or incorrectly vented fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces. 

CO, often called “the silent killer,” is a gas you cannot see, taste, or smell. It can be created when fossil fuels, such as kerosene, gasoline, coal, natural gas, propane, methane or wood do not burn properly. CO poisoning can result from faulty furnaces or other heating appliances, portable generators, water heaters, clothes dryers or cars left running in garages. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, nausea and drowsiness. Exposure to undetected high levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office offers these tips to keep your home safe from CO dangers: 

• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one detects CO, they all sound.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
• Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Call your local fire department’s non-emergency number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds.
• Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
• A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
• Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO. Use them outdoors only.
• When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation. And, have the flue and chimney cleaned before the first use of the season, to minimize the chances of any obstructions.
• Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office (www.tn.gov/commerce/sfm/) is a division of the Department of Commerce and Insurance (www.tn.gov/commerce/), which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/, @TNCommerceInsur (Twitter), http://on.fb.me/uFQwUZ (Facebook), http://bit.ly/ry1GyX (YouTube)

Presenting Donors Eligible to Win $1,000 Gift Card 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. November 20, 2012 – Holiday shopping can be stressful, but picking out the perfect gift doesn’t have to be that hard. The American Red Cross asks donors to “Give Something That Means Something”  this season and be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card useable toward gas, rent, food or a post-holiday getaway. 

Present to donate blood or platelets during the “Give Something That Means Something” promotion October 1 through December 31, 2012, for your chance to win a $1,000 American Express gift card. 

“Donating blood is an opportunity for people to give the most important gift of all, the ‘Gift of Life,’” said Tim Ryerson, chief executive officer, American Red Cross, Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. “The Red Cross depends on the generosity of our donors to be able to meet the needs of patients in our area and across the country.” 

The Red Cross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to patients in about 60 hospitals. Approximately 600 people need to give blood or platelets each week day to meet hospital demands. 

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people who are 17 years of age (or 16 with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood or platelets to the Red Cross. Donors who are 18 years and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities throughout the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region:  

Marshall	TN	12/19/12	1:00 PM	6:00 PM	Chapel Hill UMC	316 North Horton Parkway	Chapel Hill
Marshall	TN	12/20/12	1:00 PM	5:00 PM	Church Street Church of Christ	305 West Church Street	Lewisburg
Marshall	TN	12/26/12	10:30 AM	2:30 PM	Wal-Mart	North Ellington Parkway	Lewisburg

THINK ABOUT THIS.  IF YOU WERE ON THE EAST COAST THIS WEEK, CHANCES ARE YOUR ELECTRICITY IS OFF AND YOUR SMART PHONE IS NOT WORKING.  CELL SERVICE AND INTERNET  IS INTERRUPTED FOR MANY.  THE ONE THING THAT DOES RELIABLY WORK IS THE RADIO.  YES, YOUR RADIO STATION IS  ON THE AIR GIVING EMERGENCY INFORMATION AND HELPING YOU FIND NEEDED SERVICES.  THE “APP” DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE  THE INTERNET IS DOWN.  IF YOUR SMART PHONE HAD A RADIO IN IT YOU COULD HEAR THE RADIO STATION.  MANY SMART PHONES DO HAVE RADIOS IN THEM.  NEXT TIME YOU BUY A SMART PHONE, ASK FOR ONE THAT HAS A “REAL” RADIO IN IT…AN APP IS NOT A REAL RADIO IN AN EMERGENCY.  ASK FOR A SMART PHONE WITH A REAL RADIO IN IT . THIS MESSAGE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THIS RADIO STATION  BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT YOUR SAFETY.   RADIO WORKS WHEN ALL OTHER COMMUNICATIONS GO DOWN.  KEEP YOUR RADIO ON AND HANDY..!

STATE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECREASES TWO-TENTHS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT 
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for September decreased to 8.3 percent, down from the August revised rate of 8.5 percent. The national unemployment rate for September 2012 was 7.8 percent, 0.3 percentage point lower than the August rate.
Economic Summary:

• Tennessee’s September unemployment rate is the lowest rate since June.
• Over the past year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate declined from 9.1% to 8.3% (-0.8 percentage point), while the national rate declined from 9.0% to 7.8% (-1.2 percentage points).
• Total nonfarm employment increased 3,300 jobs from August to September, with increases in government and education/health services. There were declines in trade/transportation/utilities and accommodation/food services.

Over the year, nonfarm jobs increased 20,400, with increases in manufacturing and education/health services. There were declines in trade/transportation/utilities and financial activities.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee revenue collections continued their upward trend in July, but at a much slower pace compared to recent months. Finance and Administration Commissioner Mark Emkes today announced a net positive growth of 4.46% over July collections of one year ago. Overall July revenues were $880.9 million, which is $9.9 million more than the state budgeted.

July marks the 12^th consecutive month this year in which total collections have exceeded the budgeted estimates. July sales tax collections represent consumer spending that took place in the month of June. 

“We continue to believe the growth in sales and corporate tax collections indicates a very slow economic recovery in Tennessee, but we also continue to see mixed results at the national level,” Emkes said. “The latest published leading economic indicators show that the U.S. economy decelerated in the second quarter, which causes concern at the state level. 

“We’ll close fiscal year 2012, which ended June 30, with a revenue surplus which will help maintain a balanced budget in fiscal 2012-2013.”

On an accrual basis, July is the twelfth month in the 2011-2012 fiscal year.   

The general fund was over collected by $2.7 million, and the four other funds were over collected by $7.2 million. 

Sales tax collections were $14.7 million more than the estimate for July.  The July growth rate was 3.30%. For twelve months revenues are over collected by $241.8 million. The year-to-date growth rate for twelve months was positive 6.57%. 

Franchise and excise taxes combined were $0.8 million under the budgeted estimate of $55.5 million. The growth rate for July was positive 8.64%. For twelve months revenues are over collected by $308.2 million and the year-to-date growth rate was positive 22.26%. 

Inheritance and estate tax collections were $10.1 million below the July estimate. For twelve months collections are $37.9 million above the budgeted estimate. 

Privilege tax collections were $1.1 million above the July budgeted estimate. For twelve months collections are $9.0 million more than the budgeted estimate, and the year-to date growth rate was positive 11.71%. 

Business tax collections were $1.0 million less than the July estimate. Year-to-date collections for eleven months are $15.9 million below the budgeted estimate. 

Tobacco tax collections were $2.6 million below the budgeted estimate of $25.9 million. For twelve months revenues are under collected by $18.5 million. 

Gasoline and motor fuel tax collections for July were over collected by $3.4 million. For twelve months revenues are under collected by $5.1 million.

All other taxes for July were over collected by a net of $5.2 million. 

Year-to-date collections for twelve months were $563.8 million more than the budgeted estimate. The general fund was over collected by $543.0 million and the four other funds were over collected by $20.8 million. The FY 2012 revised budget assumed an over collection of $209.6 million in General Fund Taxes. Therefore, the amount over collected above and beyond what’s already in the budget is $333.4 million ($543.0 million minus $209.6 million). 

The budgeted revenue estimates for 2011-2012 are based on the State Funding Board’s consensus recommendation of April 15, 2011 and adopted by the first session of the 107^th General Assembly in May. They are available on the state’s website at http://www.tn.gov/finance/bud/budget.shtml.

The State Funding Board met on December 9^th and 14^th to hear updated revenue projections from the state’s various economists. The board met again on December 19^th and adopted revised revenue ranges for 2011-2012. The revised ranges assume an over collection of $187.8 million to $220.5 million in total taxes and $177.0 million to $209.6 million in general fund taxes from the fiscal year 2011-2012 budgeted estimate. The revised estimates are reflected on pages A-74 and A-76 in the 2012-2013 Budget Document. 

Year-to-date collections for 2011-2012 are subject to final accrual adjustments.