Transport a Christmas Tree
The first two weekends in December are when most Americans put up a Christmas tree. While many families enjoy an artificial fir, a great number will head out to buy a live tree. In this article, we look at how to safely transport a Christmas tree from the tree lot to your home.
If your Christmas tree is not safely secured to your vehicle for the drive home, there are risks of littering the roads with hazardous debris or doing damage to your own vehicle.
The Risks of Road Debris
Improperly secured Christmas trees are a seasonal hazard. Items flying from vehicles and landing in the roadway can be extremely dangerous. If an improperly secured object becomes loose and flies off of your vehicle, it could crash into another car, causing an accident. Additionally, the debris in the roadway can result in other drivers striking the object or swerving to avoid it, another potential accident hazard.
Road debris was the cause of more than 200,000 vehicle crashes during the span of 2014 through 2017. Those accidents resulted in more than 38,000 injuries and approximately 500 fatalities. Around a third of all debris-related crashes happen between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
How to Safely Secure Your Christmas Tree
- Use the correct vehicle and proper equipment. The safest way to transport a Christmas tree is to secure it to the top of a vehicle that has a roof rack. If that is not an option, other safe choices include tying it into the bed of a truck or using a minivan or SUV that can hold the entire tree inside the vehicle with all of the doors closed.
- Use high-quality tie-downs. Nylon ratcheting or strong rope is necessary to secure a live tree to the vehicle. The twine offered at many Sacramento Christmas tree lots is too lightweight and insufficient for transporting purposes.
- Wrap the tree. If the lot or farm offers the service, have your tree wrapped in netting prior to loading it onto your vehicle. In the alternative, secure loose branches by tying them towards the trunk with twine or rope.
- Protect your vehicle. An old blanket or tarp under the tree will help protect the vehicle’s finish and prevent the tree from scratching the paint.
- Practice proper placement. When placing the tree on your roof rack, the trunk should be toward the front of your vehicle. The tree should be secured at its top, center, and bottom. The trunk should be fastened by using the vehicle’s tie-down points. Loop the straps or heavy rope around the truck at a point above the lowest branches. This will help to prevent front-to-rear and side-to-side movement. Secure the tree’s top and center in a similar fashion.
- Pass the tug test. Before you leave with your tree, give it several strong pulls from all directions to ensure that it is safely secured.
- Drive with extra caution. Take the drive home slowly and easily. If possible, use back roads and surface streets to avoid highways. Freeway speeds create airflow sufficient to challenge even the most secure tie-downs.
- Removing the tree. Once you are home, remove the tree from the vehicle with care. Many times vehicle damage occurs while cutting rope or straps. Be sure to clear the area around the vehicle before lifting the tree to avoid injury to people or pets. Remove any sap from all areas of the vehicle as soon as you can.
Watch the YouTube video. Cars.com offers further advice on how to transport a Christmas tree.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
Happy holidays! Thanks for reading – I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Driving with an unsecured load is just one example of negligent behavior that can result in injuries to others. If you have been injured in an automobile accident that was caused by another driver, one of our injury lawyers would be happy to dispense free and friendly advice. We can be reached at (916) 921-6400, or from outside of 916, toll-free at (800) 404-5400. We also provide a form through which you may reach us online.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/fir-tree-christmas-christmas-tree-1856343/
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