http://newsok.com/friends-turn-slowdown-in-roofing-business-into-holiday-lights-venture-in-oklahoma-city-metro/article/5465848

The 2015 Holiday Season is quickly approaching, there are only 111 days left until Christmas Day. So why not start planning your Holiday Lighting needs and why not hire a Holiday Lighting Company to install your Christmas Lights. Many people choose to decorate their homes for the Holidays on their own. However it can be a very frustrating having to get your old ladder out and those annoying lights that have become a tangled mess are the worst.
We know some people actually look forward to hanging their lights but for the majority this is just a chore and something they really do not have the time to do. So here are all of the reasons you should jump on board and hire a Holiday Lighting Company to install your Christmas Lights this year. You will not be disappointed especially if you choose Forrester Holiday Lighting Company as your Holiday Lighting Company and here are the reasons why.
1. The First reason to choose Forrester Holiday Lighting Company to install your lights is because we use COMMERCIAL GRADE PRODUCTS. These are high end lights and decor that only professional companies can get. They are so different then the lights you get at your local hardware store or big box stores. This includes the extension cords as well as the timers. Its beneficial to you as the consumer because your lights will not be going out all the time like your next door neighbors.
2. We will DESIGN A DISPLAY that is unique for you and your family and designed especially for your home. You can choose the color of lights and where you want them to be hung and Forrester Holiday Lighting will also give you their professional suggestions on what they believe will look the best. We take into consideration the architecture , landscaping, etc to design a display that will be perfect.
3. PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION – By having a Professional Lighting Company install your Holiday lights you know you will be receiving top notch installation and guarantee that all of your lights and displays will work in accordance with each other. Its always very difficult for non professionals to understand how many strands can go on one plug without popping the breaker and so forth. So intrust all of your Holiday Lighting to that of the professionals and you will not be disappointed.
4. MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE – When you hire a Holiday Lighting Company they will not only install and take down your lights they will maintain them as well. So anytime during the Holiday Season they will come to your home and fix any issues you may have. In addition, Forrester Holiday Lighting only offers Rental packages so that means you rent all of the product from them and when we take it down we take away and store so you do not have to stare any items. Its hassle free and worth every penny.
5.  Take the risk of injury from falls or electrocution.  Each holiday season at least  25,000 individuals check into an emergency room from injuries attributed to Christmas decor being put on by non professionals.(According to the American Medical Association)  Imagine how much a hospital visit and time away from your job could cost you.  It can really justify the cost if looked at that way! 

The Benefits of having a local Holiday Lighting Company such as Forrester Holiday Lighting out weighs you trying to install your own Christmas Lights. So if you are in the central Oklahoma and surrounding areas. Give Forrester Holiday Lighting a Call they will take care of all of your Christmas Light needs.

#edmondchristmaslights #okchristmaslights #oklahomachristmaslights #commercialchristmaslights #LedLighting 

    
    
   

What Ice Storm Accumulations Mean and How to Stay SafeBy Chris Dolce

Published Nov 25 2015 12:37 PM EST

weather.com
00:00 / 00:00

How Much Freezing Rain is Too Much?

The Weather Channel meteorologist Paul Goodloe shows it doesn’t take much freezing rain to cause problems.  

You may hear forecasters talk about ice accumulations during an ice storm and wonder, “Will I lose power, or will the roads just be slippery?”
Even a thin coating of ice can result in a travel nightmare, while heavier amounts will severely damage trees and power lines. Strong winds can add extra force to already weighed down tree branches and power lines, increasing the likelihood of significant damage.
Ice Storm Facts

Ice can increase the weight of branches by 30 times.

A 1/2-inch accumulation on power lines can add 500 pounds of extra weight.

An ice storm in 2009 centered from northern Arkansas to the Ohio Valley knocked out power to 1.3 million.

In 1998, an ice storm in northern New York and northern New England damaged millions of trees and caused $1.4 billion in damage. Accumulations were as much as three inches thick!

These ice accumulations are caused by freezing rain. Freezing rain is a result of snow falling through an above-freezing warm layer in the atmosphere above the surface of the earth, which melts the snowflakes into rain. The rain drops then move into a thin layer of below-freezing air right near the surface of the earth, allowing them to freeze on contact to the ground, trees, cars and other objects.
While accumulations of sleet can also make roads treacherous, sleet does not accumulate on trees and powerlines, so ice events with more sleet than freezing rain pose a greatly reduced threat for tree damage or power outages.
(MORE: Difference Between Freezing Rain and Sleet)

The type of precipitation we see at the ground depends not only on the temperature at the ground, but also several thousand feet above the surface. 

What kind of impacts and damage do different amounts of ice cause? 
“Nuisance”

A nuisance ice event is usually one of 1/4 inch or less of ice accumulation.
Even though these lighter accumulations are considered nuisance, travel can be extremely dangerous even with a light glazing.

 

“Disruptive”

A disruptive ice storm is typically one of 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice accumulation.
This amount of ice starts to damage trees and power lines.

 

“Crippling”

Widespread accumulations of over 1/2 inch.
With widespread ice accumulations of over 1/2 inch, there is severe tree damage and power outages may last for days.
The most devastating storms contain ice accumulations of an inch or more.
(MORE: Winter Storm Central)

 

Be Prepared

Avoid driving on icy roads for your safety and the safety of emergency personnel.

Be sure to charge cell phones and laptops ahead of time. Make sure you have several ways to communicate with others. Consider landline phones, social media, and texting.

Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets. Plan for pets to come inside, and store adequate food and water for them.

Children should never play around ice-covered trees; they may be injured if a branch breaks under the weight of the ice and falls on them.

Think about safe alternate power sources you could use if you lose heat, such as a fireplace, wood/coal stove or portable space heaters. However, be sure to exercise caution:

Follow manufacturers instructions when using portable space heaters and other devices.

Never use portable generators, camp stoves and grills inside your home or garage; they should only be used outside. Keep them at least 20 feet away from your home’s windows, doors and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Use flashlights during power outages instead of candles to prevent the risk of fire, and keep plenty of extra batteries on-hand.  

Before the Power Goes Out: Food Safety

Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer.

Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or below 0 degrees and the refrigerator is at or below 40 degrees.

In case of a power outage, the appliance thermometers will indicate the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer to help you determine if the food is safe.

Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is contaminated or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water.

Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours.

Purchase or make ice cubes in advance and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.

Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.

 When the Power Goes Out: Food Safety

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.

The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.

A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if it is unopened.

Buy dry or block ice (or freeze containers of water) to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time.

If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs while it is still at safe temperatures, it’s important that each item is thoroughly cooked to the proper temperature to assure that any foodborne bacteria that may be present is destroyed. However, if at any point the food was above 40 degrees for two hours or more — discard it.

For infants, try to use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water. When using concentrated or powdered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated.