Tis the Season: Christmas Trees and Your Brentwood Rental Property

Christmas season is that one time of the year that brings families together with social gatherings, beautiful gifts, and twinkling lights. For a lot of people, seasonal decorations wouldn’t be enough if there’s not an attractive Christmas tree, complete with lights and ornaments in sight. Brentwood rental property owners have to understand that while it would be great to not fret about Christmas trees, their tenants probably have it in their minds to put up a tree as it has been their tradition during holiday celebrations.

Not to be mistaken though, decorations are not always the cause for concerns; instead, it is because Christmas trees are known to have an extremely flammable nature. When coupled with electrical sparks or overheating cords, a dry Christmas tree can turn into a roaring house fire in less than a minute. Per 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.

Being the property owner, it is part of your responsibility to teach basic fire safety tips to your renters before the holiday season kicks into full gear. While prohibiting Christmas trees entirely is likely not an alternative, there are some relatively simple things your tenants can do to guard themselves and your rental home from the risk of fire.

The American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA) offers a number of safety precautions that can significantly reduce the risk of your tree catching fire. These precautions include:

• Purchase a fresh (real) tree or an artificial tree. New trees are harmless due to their inherent fire resistance. Artificial trees are also much more reliable than real trees are because 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.
• Make sure that your fire extinguisher is updated and placed in a spot that it’s easy to get in case of fire.

Making sure that this Christmas tree safety tip gets to your tenants in Brentwood before the season starts is important. Everybody can enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday knowing your tenants know what to do, therefore keeping your rental property protected as well. With Real Property Management Investor’s Choice 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 615-810-9578.