Decorating your house can certainly put you in the holiday spirit. But it can also create unwanted safety hazards — think lit candles, neglected fireplaces, damaged string lights and especially dried-out Christmas trees.
But have you ever considered that your Christmas tree might be a danger before you even get it home?
According to the Automobile Association of America (AAA), 44 percent of Americans who plan to buy a live Christmas tree won't take the steps necessary to get it home safely. And that's even though 16 percent of them have already had their Christmas tree fall off or out of their car during the trip home.
It might sound like the plot to a ridiculous Christmas comedy, but it's a real danger to everyone on the road. Ellen Edmonds, manager of public relations for AAA, says the organization's 2016 research on the dangers of road debris inspired the new report.
"What many people may not realize is that transporting a real Christmas tree is the same as hauling any other kind of large object," Edmonds says via email. "Making sure the tree is properly secured will help prevent vehicle damage and lessen the chance of it coming loose and creating a potential hazard for other drivers."
If you think it's easy to avoid a Christmas tree in the road, think again. As Edmonds mentioned, a Christmas tree is similar to other large debris. And AAA's research found that more than 200,000 car crashes were caused by road debris between 2011 to 2014, resulting in about 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths.
And even if the crash is minor and doesn't cause any bodily harm, a tree can cause thousands of dollars in vehicle damage. Plus dropping a tree on the road is against the law in all 50 U.S. states, often resulting in fines up to $5,000 or possible jail time.
If you haven't taken your Christmas tree home this year, AAA has some helpful hints to do it safely.
Choose the right vehicle, such as one with a roof rack, a pickup truck, SUV or van.
If you don't have a car with a roof rack (or have access to an SUV or truck) transport the tree inside your car or trunk.
Wrap the tree in netting to secure loose branches.
Put an old blanket on the roof of your vehicle, and put the tree on top with its trunk facing the windshield.
Take your own rope or ratchet straps to secure the tree at the front, middle and back, using tie-down points built into your vehicle. Loop the rope or strap around the tree's trunk to prevent shifting.
Avoid highways and driving at high speeds, if possible, because wind resistance can still shake the tree loose.
In other words, transporting a Christmas tree home safely isn't much different from anything else of that size you might buy or carry. Just don't get carried away with the holiday cheer. A few extra minutes before you drive off can make all the difference in your family's Christmas experience.
Now That's Interesting
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, because of the coronavirus pandemic, 39 percent of Americans said they're more likely to buy a real Christmas tree this year, compared to 21 percent who say they’re less likely to do so.
Originally Published: Dec 4, 2019
Transporting Your Christmas Tree FAQ
Will a Christmas Tree Scratch the Top of My Car?
Your Christmas tree absolutely can scratch the top of your car if you decide to put it up there. If you don't have a roof rack or a pickup truck with a bed, you'll want to place (and secure) an old blanket beneath the tree before putting it on top, or risk being left with an unwanted holiday souvenir.
How Do You Secure a Christmas Tree on a Car?
Take your own rope or ratchet straps to secure the tree at the front, middle and back, using tie-down points built into your vehicle. Loop the rope or strap around the tree's trunk to prevent shifting.
Can You Transport a Tree on Its Side?
Your tree will be fine if you opt to transport it on its side. In fact, as long as it's properly secured, transporting your tree on its side is better than moving it standing upright, as it can be subject to wind damage.
Can I Fit a Christmas Tree in My Car?
It depends on how big your tree and your car are. A smaller Christmas tree can fit inside an SUV with the seats down or in a pickup truck bed. For most cars, however, the tree will have to be tied to the roof.
How Do You Wrap a Christmas Tree?
When you're taking your Christmas tree home, it'll typically be wrapped in netting to prevent the tree from branching out. After you're done with your tree, you can wrap it in a plastic bag, blanket, tarp or tablecloth before taking it to be recycled.PeopleChristmasChristmas Stories: 'A Christmas Carol'PeopleChristmasHow Christmas WorksPeopleChristmasWhy Do Christmas Carolers Walk Around the Neighborhood Singing?PeopleChristmasWhy Is Everyone Dreaming of a White Christmas?PeopleChristmasChristmas PicturesPeopleChristmasChristmas TriviaPeopleChristmasChristmas Songs OverviewPeopleChristmasHow Christmas Trees WorkPeopleChristmasHow Christmas Lights WorkPeopleChristmasWhat Does the Poinsettia Have to Do With Christmas?PeopleChristmasChristmas Game: Find Christmas CarolsPeopleChristmasWhat Are the 12 Days of Christmas?PeopleChristmasChristmas Tree PicturesPeopleChristmas10 Myths About ChristmasPeopleChristmas5 Tips for Properly Storing Christmas DecorationsPeopleCultural TraditionsBlack Pete: Dutch Blackface Christmas TraditionPeopleChristmasHow to Start a Christmas TraditionPeopleChristmasChristmas Traditions Around the World OverviewPeopleChristmas5 Fun Facts About the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree PeopleChristmasDon't Buy a Christmas Tree! Rent One InsteadPeopleChristmasThe Cozy Icelandic Christmas Tradition You'll Want to StealPeopleChristmasThe Story Behind Those Christmas Carols You Can't Stop SingingPeopleChristmas10 Worst Things Ever to Happen at ChristmasPeopleChristmasRidiculous History: When the Puritans Said 'Bah Humbug' to Christmas in AmericaPeopleChristmasWhy Do We Decorate With Holly at Christmas?LifestyleHoliday CraftsChristmas Activities for KidsLifestyleFamily ActivitiesChristmas Games: Find Christmas AngelsLifestyleHoliday CraftsChristmas Food CraftsLifestyleHoliday CraftsChristmas Crafts for KidsLifestyleRecycled CraftsTop 10 Christmas Decorations Made with Recycled MaterialsLifestyleFamily ActivitiesChristmas Games: Find the Night Before ChristmasLifestyleHoliday CraftsChristmas Ornaments and Decoration CraftsLifestyleRecycled CraftsTop 5 Things around the House to Make an Original Christmas OrnamentLifestyleFamily ActivitiesChristmas Games: Find the Twelve Days of ChristmasLifestyleEvent PlanningHow to Host a Christmas Light ContestLifestyleHoliday Crafts5 Christmas Crafts for Kids to MakeLifestyleHoliday CraftsHow to Make a Christmas Gift BasketLifestyleEvent Planning10 Tips for Hosting an Elegant Christmas PartyLifestyleFashion Trends & Looks5 Things Not to Wear to the Office Christmas PartyLifestyleFamily ActivitiesChristmas Games: Find the NutcrackerLifestyleFamily ActivitiesChristmas Games: Find Santa ClausHistoryHistorical EventsWhat was the Christmas Truce?HomeHouse PlantsChristmas Kalanchoe: A Portrait of a House PlantHomeHouse PlantsChristmas Cactus: A Profile of a House PlantHomeSeasonal Decor5 Christmas Ornaments You Can Make YourselfHomeSeasonal DecorChristmas Bathroom Decorations PicturesHomeHome RepairsRepair Your Christmas LightsHomeSeasonal DecorTop 5 Modern Christmas Decorating IdeasHomeSeasonal Decor5 DIY Christmas Bathroom DecorationsHomeSeasonal DecorHow to Use Christmas Fragrances in Your DecorationsHomePerennial GardensChristmas Rose, Lenten Rose, Hellebore: Perennial FlowerHomeTrees, Shrubs & VinesHow Do Christmas Trees Get Their Shape?HomeSeasonal DecorChristmas Decorations from Around the WorldHomeSeasonal DecorHow to Plan a Christmas PartyHomeSeasonal DecorHow to Decorate a Living Room for ChristmasHomeSeasonal DecorHow to Make Christmas Ornaments Out of PaperHomeSeasonal DecorHow do proximity-type Christmas-light testers work?RecipesChristmas MenusChristmas Cookies 101RecipesChristmas MenusChristmas Cooking QuestionsRecipesChristmas Menus5 Classic Christmas CocktailsRecipesChristmas MenusWholesome Christmas Treats 101RecipesChristmas Menus5 Classic Christmas DessertsMoneyVolunteer OpportunitiesVolunteering on ChristmasEntertainmentTV ShowsHow Baseball Great Willie Mays Became the Catalyst for 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'EntertainmentMemorable MoviesRed Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model BB gunAutoAccidents & Hazardous ConditionsHow to Safely Transport Your Christmas Tree HomeAnimalsHoofed MammalsElephants Eat Leftover Christmas TreesElectronicsFuture TechWorld's First AI-generated Christmas Song Is the Stuff of Nightmares
