Tis the Season: Christmas Trees and Your Toano Rental Property

While we are entering the Christmas season where family get-togethers are frequent, and so are social gatherings, beautiful gifts and twinkling lights. Now may be a good time to think about decorating. For many, seasonal decorations are not the same without a Christmas tree, complete with lights and ornaments in the center of it all. Toano rental property owners should keep in mind that their tenants are probably the same with everybody else and are likely considering having a Christmas tree to be a central part of their holiday celebrations.

While decorations are not always a problem, Christmas trees are unique due to their extremely flammable nature. When combined with electrical sparks or overheating cords, a dry Christmas tree can turn into a roaring house fire in less than a minute. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home fires started by Christmas trees average 200 per year. Every year, these fires cause an average of $14.8 million in property damage, 16 injuries, and six deaths.

An excellent property owner makes it a priority to have renters be familiar with the basic fire safety tips. Before the holiday season arrives, it would be best to do so because while prohibiting Christmas trees altogether is likely not an option. There are some relatively easy things your tenants can do to protect themselves and your rental home from the risk of fire.

The American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA) provides many safety precautions that can significantly lessen the risk of your tree catching fire. These precautions include:

• Buy a fresh (real) tree or an artificial tree. Fresh trees are safer due to their inherent fire resistance. Artificial trees are also much safer than real trees are due to the fact that they won’t dry out over time.
• Water your fresh tree consistently. Fresh trees must be watered regularly and removed immediately after the holiday or as soon as the needles begin to drop.
• Place your tree away from heat sources and open flames, such as fireplaces, candles and heat vents.
• Use safety-tested lights and throw out any damaged light sets.
• Turn off the Christmas tree lights before going to bed or leaving the home. Leaving the lights on all night or while away increases your risk of fire.
• Double check if your fire extinguisher is up to date and should be strategically placed nearby in the event that sparks or flames do appear.

Communicating these Christmas tree safety tips with your tenants in Toano can protect your rental homes and help everyone enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday. With Real Property Management VA Peninsula by your side, we can ensure that these safety precautions are shared with your renters and that all holiday decorations meet basic safety guidelines. For more information about our full-service property management services, please contact us online or call us at 757-251-9188.