Posted December 4, 2018 by Aaron Kase
Nothing invokes cheery holiday spirit better than a brilliant light display, inside and out. On the other hand, nothing brings winter revelry to an abrupt halt like the power suddenly going off in a room, causing the lights, music and other electric-powered accessories to unexpectedly wink out.
Posted December 2, 2018 by Aaron Kase
Holiday lighting arrangements are great when setting the mood for the Christmas season, but they can also put your home at risk if you aren’t cautious about how you lay out your illuminating displays. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments responded to an average of 170 home fires per year caused by Christmas trees between 2012 and 2016, 43 percent of which were started by electrical distribution or lighting equipment. These tree fires resulted in an annual average of 4 deaths, 15 injuries and $12 million in property damage. And while outdoor lights are generally not strung along anything quite as combustible as a Christmas tree, they can still pose a risk if you use damaged equipment or overload your circuits, so outdoor holiday light safety is another factor to take into account when planning your seasonal decorations.
Posted December 8, 2016 by John Rose
Holiday season is fast approaching, making for an expensive time of year for many homeowners. All the additional shopping, travel, hosting and gift-giving adds up quickly, and so do the bigger energy bills that come with heating a home during the coldest months of the year. Adorning the house and trees around it with electricity-sapping decorations doesn’t help either.
Posted December 16, 2015 by Vernon Trollinger
Our pets help us all live brighter. But with all the bustle of the holiday season and the shiny decorations, their curiosity can get the better of them. And as winter closes in, extreme weather can put them in real peril unless owners pay close attention.
Posted December 11, 2015 by Vernon Trollinger
Nothing blackens the holidays at home like a visit from the Fire Department or a trip to the emergency room — especially when it’s caused by something that could have been avoided. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates 15,000 injuries during November and December 2012 came from holiday decorating: falls accounted for 34%, cuts and lacerations for 11%, and back strains for 10%.
Posted November 26, 2015 by Vernon Trollinger
With world events spotlighting the plight of people everywhere, remembering the less fortunate in our world seems especially poignant during the holiday season. Whether you want to make an impact globally or locally, there are a wide range of ways you can get involved.
