Christmas & Holiday Lighting Safety Tips for Chicago Residents
Sam Simon
December 23, 2014ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons provides fire restoration for house fires during the holidays.
Okay, so you're late to the party, but at least you are trying to decorate for the holiday season. Like so many of us other procrastinators, you are finally putting up your outdoor Christmas lights, and the pressure is on from the spouse and kids to light up the house so Santa can find them. You will likely put the lights up as quickly as possible so you can get back indoors where it's warm. ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons is here to remind you to make sure you are installing lights safely and correctly, as we get phone calls each year from
customers in Chicago, IL that need fire restoration
due to improperly installed Christmas lights.
One very common mistake is that people use lights clearly labeled for indoor use...outdoors. This is extremely dangerous because these types of lights are not designed to handle the outdoor elements. Any combination of rain, melting snow, and frigid temperatures can cause these light strings to short and spark, creating a light display you had not originally considered!
Another recipe for disaster is the rat's nest of electrical cords that all get plugged in to the same outlet without surge protecting power splitters or strips. This is a nightmare waiting to happen. You are overloading the circuit, which is never a good idea. Plus, not all plugs are created equal. With differing sizes and shapes, you often find yourself with plugs that don't work well together, and a plug or two that just won't seat completely into the power strip. Plugs that don't completely seat leave exposed prongs that can easily shock anyone grabbing them. They also allow moisture to seep into the power strip. As shocking as it sounds, moisture and exposed electrical components are never a good mix. Please make sure you use proper power strips and you never plug a power strip or splitter into another strip or splitter.
It is our sincerest hope that you enjoy a safe and happy holiday season. If you experience a fire situation in Chicago that requires immediate fire restoration,
please give ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons a call
. Let us repair the fire damage and put your home back in order as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Sam Simon
Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.
He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.
Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.
In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.
Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career under the name Sam Zabadneh, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile
Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.
Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:
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