During East Texas ice storms, the most common electrical damage we see happens when heavy tree limbs break and pull the electrical service away from the home. If this occurs, it’s important to know what to do (and what not to do).

If a tree limb pulls your electrical service off the house:

• Stay clear of the area and do not touch any fallen or hanging wires
• Treat all downed lines as live and dangerous, even if power appears to be out
• Keep children, pets, and bystanders away from the damage In this event, the homeowner is responsible for payment of
• Electrical service mast
• Meter base
• Weatherhead
• Conduit and equipment attached to the home

The utility company’s responsibility is the overhead power line running from the house to the utility pole.

If the damaged electrical service is accessible and safe to work on, our licensed electricians can make the necessary repairs and coordinate with the utility provider to help restore power as quickly as possible. For any other additional information, see https://www.patriotetx.com/electrical-repairs.

Call a licensed electrician if you experience:

• Flickering lights
• Burning smells
• Hot outlets or switches
• Repeated breaker trips
• Partial power loss

These are signs of potentially dangerous electrical conditions that freezing weather can worsen quickly.

A professional electrical safety inspection can identify:

• Overloaded circuits
• Aging wiring
• Unsafe panel configurations
• Generator readiness issues

Preventative inspections help avoid emergency situations when weather conditions make repairs more difficult.

Freezing temperatures don’t have to turn into an emergency. With proper preparation and safe electrical practices, you can protect your home, your power, and your family.



If you have questions about electrical safety, generators, or carbon monoxide protection give us a call at 903.954.2525. Working with licensed professionals who understand East Texas homes and weather patterns makes all the difference.

Patriot Electric Heating & Cooling proudly serves East Texas homeowners with licensed electrical and HVAC services focused on safety, reliability, and long-term peace of mind.

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• Learn more at https://www.patriotetx.com or call our office at 903.954.2525.
  

Space heaters are one of the most common causes of winter electrical fires. Safe Space Heater Use:

• Plug heaters directly into wall outlets (never extension cords)
• Keep heaters at least 3 feet from combustible materials
• Use heaters with automatic shutoff features
• Never leave heaters running unattended

If breakers trip repeatedly, stop using the heater immediately.