Holiday Electrical Fire Safety: Protect Your Home or Business This Season

Applause roared from inside of the Colden Auditorium at Queens College during Richmond Hill High School graduation 2017.

Jay Sobhraj, Executive Vice-President of Zara Realty, just announced the names of two RHHS graduates who will be receiving a scholarship to study computer science at the college of their dreams.

Estrella Perez will be studying at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Malik Assad will be studying at the New York Institute of Technology.

"We are so grateful to Zara for this opportunity," said Perez, who is passionate about computer science. "I will not let you down Mr. Sobhraj," Assad proclaimed, as photos were being taken of the two.

The relationship between Richmond Hill High School and Zara Realty began last year when Zara Realty donated a $125,000 computer lab to the school. The computer lab has been used by a plethora of students for everything from curriculum to extracurriculars.

“This is a model for building real community between the school and the private community,” Principal Neil Ganesh said. “We have future leaders in our program and we’re really excited about this new resource for us.”

Recently, Sobhraj and information technology specialist Naresh Singh returned to the school recently to see how the “seed turned into a plant with burgeoning fruit.” Not only have students been able to focus on their passion of computer science, but there has been a trickle down effect into the school’s robotics program.

They found that the computer lab helped Perez, Assad, and the rest of the robotics team focus on enhancing their computer science knowledge, engineering skills, and form a serious direction for their robotics team, Qubit. In just one year, the team has been able to achieve incredible success which includes building their own robot.

Sobhraj and Singh were so impressed with the focus and determination of the these RHHS students, that they decided to announce the plan to award two computer science college scholarships right then and there.

“I really want to give back,” said Jay Sobhraj. “Never forget where you come from and always give back to the community... that's what Zara is focused on.”

Richmond Hill High School offers several pathways, which include computer science and IT, art, criminology and forensics, business and engineering. As a supporter of computer science and IT, Zara Realty plans to grant one or two students with this opportunity each year.

"We are grateful to Mr. Sobhraj and Zara Realty for being an active community partner with their vision set on making a long term change," said RHHS Assistant Principal, Paul Wilbur.

Zara Luxury Homes, the innovative real estate holding company, provides quality homes in both Queens and Long Island. They have been serving the rental community for 36 years. Visit theirwebsite or call them at 718-291-3331 to inquire about their rental properties in Jamaica, Queens and Long Island.

The holiday season will soon be upon us, and at United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, we’d like to be among the first to wish you happy holidays. For homeowners and business owners alike, this time of year brings joy, celebration, and, unfortunately, an increased risk of electrical fires. As a leading fire damage public adjuster, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers isn’t here to dampen your holiday spirit. Quite the opposite, we’re sharing a few essential tips to help you enjoy a safe and memorable season, free from preventable fire damage.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), last year’s fire insurance claims totaled $31.5 million in damages due to electrical fires caused by improper installation or use of holiday lighting and décor. The average homeowner’s fire insurance claim exceeded $83,000.

Common Electrical Fire Hazards

Electrical hazards during the holidays often stem from overloaded circuits, damaged cords, or improper decoration use -especially lighting. Here are some of the most common culprits:

Overloaded circuits: Plugging too many lights or devices into one outlet or using multiple extension cords can lead to overheating and fire.
Damaged cords: Frayed, cracked, or exposed wires on decorations or extension cords pose a serious shock and fire risk.
Improper lighting use: Using indoor lights outdoors, placing lights too close to flammable materials, or stringing too many incandescent strands together can all cause fires.
Dry Christmas trees: Dry trees are highly flammable and can ignite in seconds. In fact, over 40% of holiday fire incidents involve Christmas tree lighting, leading to a substantial fire damage claim.

How to Prevent Electrical Fires This Holiday Season

Inspect all decorations: Check cords and light strings for frays, cracks, or exposed wires before use. Replace anything damaged.
Use UL-approved products: Only buy lights and decorations tested by recognized safety labs (look for the UL mark).
Avoid overloading outlets: Spread decorations across multiple circuits and use power strips with built-in circuit breakers.
Switch to LED lights: LEDs stay cooler, are more energy-efficient, and reduce overheating risks.
Turn off lights when unattended: Always switch off indoor and outdoor decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
Use flame-retardant materials: Choose non-flammable or flame-resistant decorations whenever possible.
Keep real trees hydrated: Water your tree daily to prevent it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Protect cords: Don’t run cords under rugs or furniture, or secure them with nails or staples.
Use outdoor-rated equipment: Only use extension cords and lights designed for outdoor use in exterior setups.

If a Fire Occurs, We’re Here to Help With Your Fire Damage Claim

Every year, thousands of properties experience electrical fires caused by seasonal decorations. If you experience fire damage, contact United Public Adjusters & Appraisers immediately.

As your fire damage public adjuster, the United Public Adjusters & Appraisers team will:

Document, prepare, and submit your fire insurance claim
Negotiate directly with your insurance carrier for a fair settlement
Assist with temporary housing and other emergency needs

Whether you’re beginning the claim process or dealing with a low insurance offer, our team stands ready to advocate for your recovery and protect your best interests.

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About United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc.

United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. is a nationally licensed public adjusting firm serving over 25 states with a focus on complex, high-value property insurance claims.

With established offices in New York City and Long Island, our deep bench of adjusters, estimators, engineers, and advocates is built to support large-loss commercial, multifamily, and institutional clients.

We work exclusively on behalf of policyholders -never the insurance companies- to secure proper documentation, defend coverage, and recover what’s rightfully owed to you after disaster strikes.

Offices in NYC & Long Island | Serving Policyholders in Over 25 States

Call: 800-718-5677