Besides heating appliances, seasonal activities such as increased cooking, candle usage and holiday decorations all add to the risk.The dollar gained against the yen while the euro rose against the dollar.ECONOMYTHE DAY AHEADMajor business and economic events scheduled for todayWASHINGTON Traders coming off a bad day on Wall Street are hoping for some good news today from the government.The Labor Department will release the weekly jobless claims number and its August survey on job openings and labor turnover.Also today, Freddie Mac will release the weekly mortgage rates.In Brussels, European Union leaders are opening a twoday summit to center on the economy and soaring unemployment.There's a slew of earning reports for investors to sink their teeth into today.After the bell today, Microsoft, Express Scripts, Zynga and Amazon report their quarterly financial results.There are earning reports out of Europe today.We will be busy working with distress stains, paint glazes, gesso, gold mic