Start Thinking About Christmas Tree Safety

Most homeowners have just recently begun decorating for fall—but it won’t be long now before we’re all decking the halls and getting our homes ready for the holidays. And for many of us, that includes bringing in a Christmas tree.

We know—it seems early to be talking about holiday trees. Yet, some people begin their holiday decorating as soon as Halloween ends. Certainly, it’s not a bad time to begin thinking, in the most general terms, about this year’s festive decorating. And a big part of that is ensuring that your tree is handled safely.

Whether you’re getting a tree for an HOA common area or for an individual home, it’s important to reduce the risk of fires and other safety risks. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as we enter Christmas tree season.

Practicing Christmas Tree Safety

Keep your tree hydrated. Assuming you’re dealing with a live tree, make sure you water it as soon as you get home—and keep it watered! A dehydrated tree will prove much more flammable.

Don’t put the tree anywhere near a heat source. Keep at least three feet of distance between your tree and any candles, fireplace, etc.

Get the right kind of lights. For an indoor tree, get indoor lights. Outdoor lights may have a higher wattage, and pose fire risks when you use them inside.

Turn off the tree. Unplug your lights at night to prevent any night-time fires.

Decorate carefully. Make sure to keep the breakable or fragile ornaments higher up, out of reach for smaller kids.

Be mindful of your tree’s lifespan. If the tree starts to shed needles incessantly, or the needles turn brown, that’s when you know it’s past its prime—and that the time to toss is out is now.

Gearing Up for the Holidays

One more word of advice: As you begin thinking about upcoming holiday décor, make sure you check with your HOA. Be aware of any rules or guidelines that are in place, especially for outdoor decorations. Avoid any issues by simply verifying the policies at the start of the holiday season.

Be festive this year, and enjoy decorating your home with the warmth of the holidays. Just make sure you make safety a top priority. If you need any more guidelines about proper holiday décor, don’t hesitate to call our team. Reach out to Kuester Management Group today!

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Bryan Kuester

Bryan Kuester

Bryan is the CEO of Kuester Management Group. He has over 15 years of managing community associations throughout North and South Carolina.

His specialties include Community Association Management - maintenance, budgeting for operational and reserve funding, long-range planning, covenant enforcement, amenity management, onsite management, large scale management.

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