5 must know Christmas light safety tips

ROANOKE, Va., Dec. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Trust Home Services, a leading Roanoke-based HVAC, plumbing and electrical company serving southern Virginia, is recommending area homeowners take certain safety precautions this year when it comes to putting up their Christmas lights.

"We're excited about the holidays, but this time of year presents a higher number of home electrical hazards," said Ted Puzio, owner of Southern Trust Home Services. "Between installing Christmas decorations and increased use of space heaters, we want to ensure families are equipped with the knowledge they need to have a safe and happy December with their loved ones."

Puzio and Southern Trust Home Services suggest following these safety tips throughout December and the rest of winter:

1. Keep your electrical cords away from space heaters and water. Appliances that have the potential for water leaks should never be near electrical cords. Water and electricity don't mix well, so keeping your wiring away from water heaters, sinks and showers lowers the risk of water and electricity coming into contact. You'll also want to keep your electrical cords away from any space heaters in order to avoid sparking an electrical fire.
2. Avoid running electrical wiring under doorways or carpets. Any slightly damaged electrical wiring can start a fire if it makes contact with flammable materials, like wooden doors or rugs. Don't hide cables, especially extension cords, under rugs or carpets. If overheated, they can easily start a house fire.
3. Know when to replace damaged cords. When it comes to Christmas lights, one damaged cord can pose a pretty serious risk. It can be difficult to justify throwing out an entire string of lights over one damaged cord, but if anything like worn, bent or stripped insulation tubing is present, it could potentially cause a fire.  
4. Avoid overloading a single outlet. The best practice is to only use power strips that have built-in surge protectors. Even then, you should read the label to know exactly how much wattage the strip can handle. Then, compare that number to your lighting decoration wattages. That way, you aren't overloading one singular home outlet. Consider purchasing a whole home surge protector as well.
5. Review home insurance policies. Each year, homeowners should be reviewing their homeowner's insurance policies to eliminate any confusion regarding what's covered in the event of a house fire. It's not pleasant to think about, but don't put off asking any questions you may have.

For more information on Christmas lighting and electrical safety, call Southern Trust Home Services at 540-343-4348 or visit southerntrusthomeservices.com.

About Southern Trust Home Services
Founded in 1995 as Southern State Electric, Southern Trust Home Services provides residential services including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, bathroom remodels, drain cleaning, water treatment and 24/7 emergency repairs to homeowners in more than 60 cities throughout southern Virginia. Roanoke's first to offer a lifetime guarantee on all recommended repairs, Southern Trust Home Services staffs dedicated, certified, licensed and insured, drug and criminal background checked technicians who provide timely, same-day services for a variety of home repairs, installations, and maintenance. A Better Business Bureau accredited company since 2006, Southern Trust Home Services has financing available including 0 percent for 18 months, and Lifetime Repair Guarantee on stated repairs. To find out more, call 540-343-4348 or visit southerntrusthomeservices.com.

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SOURCE Southern Trust Home Services