Although decorations are not consistently a hindrance, Christmas trees can be because of their extremely flammable nature. When blended with electrical sparks or overheating cords, a dry Christmas tree can turn into a roaring house fire in less than a minute. As attested by 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 6 deaths.
As the property owner, it is pivotal to convey basic fire safety tips to your renters before the holiday season enters. Whereas prohibiting Christmas trees, in general, is most likely not a choice, there are certainly quite simple effects your tenants can prepare to safeguard themselves and your rental household from the risk of fire.
The American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA) provides a few safety precautions that could notably diminish the hazard of your tree catching fire. These precautions include:
- Purchase a fresh (real) tree or an artificial tree. Fresh trees are more okay for their inherent fire resistance. Artificial trees are also more harmless than real trees are due to the point that they won’t get desiccated 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.
- Make sure to lay your tree away from heat sources and open flames, such as fireplaces, candles and heat vents.
- Always use safety-tested lights and throw out any damaged light sets.
- Turn off the Christmas tree lights before you go to bed or leaving the home. Leaving the lights on all night or while away increases your risk of fire.
- Have a brand-new fire extinguisher ready to make sure that you have one handy just in case sparks or flames do appear.
Putting an emphasis on these Christmas tree safety tips and communicating it with your tenants in South Roanoke can definitely protect your rental homes and even help everyone rejoice a safe and peaceful holiday. With Real Property Management Colonial managing your welfare, we can be in no doubt that these safety precautions are revealed 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 540-595-7411.