December 17, 2015 VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 47
HOLIDAY WORSHIP
SERVICE GUIDE INSIDE
LoneTreeVoice.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
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Battery danger nothing to toy with Power sources used in drones, R/C cars can explode and cause fires, local officials say By Chris Michlewicz cmichlewicz@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Jacinda Bouton conducts the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra Dec. 12 during its Happy Holly Days concert. Photos by Mike DiFerdinando
Symphony celebrates the season Concert Master Rene Knestsch plays the violin during the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra’s Happy Holly Days concert at the Lone Tree Arts Center.
Staff report One by one the musicians filed in and took their seats. They removed their instruments and began to tune and test. Garland wrapped around the podium held sheet music, and cellos and basses wore little red Santa hats. The lights began to dim and the sounds of brass and horns filled the auditorium. “I love opening with the brass instruments,” Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra Conductor Jacinda Bouton said. “It sounds so much like
the holidays.” The Lone Tree Arts Center was filled for the orchestra’s Happy Holly Days concert Dec. 12. The orchestra played a number of seasonal favorites, including classics like “Jingle Bells,” the themes from famous Christmas movies and a special performance of “’Twas the Night before Christmas” that was narrated by Denver7 News anchor Jayson Luber. “You might even hear Santa coming down the chimney if you listen closely,” Bouton said.
South Metro Fire Rescue is warning consumers this holiday season about the danger of fires caused by lithium-ion polymer batteries, which can be found in drones, hover boards and remote-controlled toys. At the department’s joint services facility in Parker, safety officer Jason Camper demonstrated how easy it is for a lithium-ion polymer battery to start a fire. An overcharged battery was poked with a nail, and that was all it took for the battery to combust and burst into flames. South Metro Fire Rescue has responded to two recent fires ignited by the batteries. As the holidays approach, the department launched a public education campaign to prevent potential disasters. “This year, there are so many more remote-controlled toys and items out there — there are drones and hover boards and other items that use these lithium polymer batteries,” said Becky O’Guin, public information officer for South Metro Fire Rescue. “So we just want to make sure people know that while it may be a toy, the batteries aren’t toys and they should be handled responsibly.” Investigators are trying to determine whether the batteries are causing hover board fires that have been reported by users nationwide.
Battery continues on Page 9
The Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra performs during its annual Happy Holly Days concert at the Lone Tree Arts Center.
A lithium-ion polymer battery can catch fire if it’s overcharged or damaged. The batteries have started at least two fires in the south metro area in recent months. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
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