IT’S that time of year when many Border residents look to decorate their homes with lights for Christmas.
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While rising power bills have tempered the plans of many householders in recent years, The Border Mail and FM 105.7 The River today join with electrical contractors, D.N. Bishop and Co to launch the 2014 Light Up The Border Christmas lights competition.
Thanks to Bishops, the competition will offer a $1000 cash prize that will meet the electricity costs for the householder judged as having the Border’s most popular Christmas lights.
There will also be a $500 lucky draw prize for someone who registers their vote.
Bishops principal Greg McEachern said the company’s support for the competition was all about encouraging householders to light up their homes and to do so safely.
The company’s commercial services manager, Paul Stewart, said that meant ensuring lights were kept well away from where they could be interfered with by children and pets.
Breakfast radio personalities with FM 105.7 The River, Luisa Pelizzari and Kevin Poulton will this morning launch the competition on air with Bishops and Border Mail editor Di Thomas.
“I have been excited at the thought of Christmas lights for years and I encourage people to get into it,” Pelizzari said.
“The fact you can vote for your favourite lights gives a little extra incentive for everyone.”
Poulton said with electricity prices rising in recent years, “hopefully the $1000 is enough reason for people to dust off their lights, check the bulbs and put them up”.
Entries for the competition open today and homes can be registered by email to lights@bordermail.com.au.
Make sure the email includes your name, telephone number and address.
Entries can also be registered with FM 105.7 The River by listening to the breakfast program with Kev and Luisa.
Registrations close on Sunday, December 7 and The Border Mail will publish its guide to the Border’s Christmas lights on Wednesday, December 17.
Voting via SMS will open the same day and close on midnight on Sunday, December 28.
Winners will be announced on January 5.
Nominations will be taken from a geographical area bounded by and including Albury, Wodonga, Lavington, Baranduda, Barnawartha, Kiewa, Tangambalanga, Chiltern, Howlong and Jindera.
SAFETY TIPS
1. Check the leads and plugs for damage before using old Christmas lights.
2. Never use damaged lights or leads, call Bishops if you are unsure.
3. Always be careful with power leads in gardens that may get wet.
4. Don’t overload your power points with adaptors and powerboards.
5. Always turn off Christmas lights if you are going away for an extended time.
6. Plug-in power point timers are handy for controlling your Christmas lights.
7. Make sure lights installed outdoors are weatherproof.
8. Call Bishops to install outdoor powerpoints for your lights.
9. Always have more lights than your neighbour.
10. Contact Bishops for a safety inspection and receive a free safety switch trip test.