It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go, and your rental properties are no exception. Since your properties survived Thanksgiving, now would be a good time to ensure they survive Christmas as well.
First, start with a safety check of each of your rentals. Check gas lines, external lights, and smoke detectors. If your budget allows (or if your jurisdiction mandates it), install CO detectors, as well. Make sure that fire extinguishers are in good working order; it may be time to get them refilled, too. Your tenants will appreciate a landlord that seems concerned about their safety.
Secondly, make a point of reminding your tenants of basic Christmas safety tips. By taking just a few safety precautions and by gently reminding your tenants of some of these safety tips (see below), you can save you and your tenants a lot of trouble, even heartbreak. You may also save lives. There is no tragedy worse than one that is totally preventable. Most fires are completely avoidable. Common sense should guide your recommendations.
Martin Presence Property Management wants to wish all of our clients a very merry Christmas, and remember, if the season has you running ragged, let us take over the responsibilities of all of your property management duties including tenant screening, background check, and credit check needs. We have special elf training.
Sing a Little Christmas Safety
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!
That beautiful fragrant tree that you brought home after Thanksgiving was
never intended to be cut, brought indoors in dry, heated air, and covered
with electricity. If a tree is not maintained properly, it is a recipe for disaster.
Trees should be kept well-watered and lights should be turned off when you
go to sleep. Unattended lights have caused many house fires. It is important
to follow light manufacturers’ safety precautions and directions.
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Open fire? Enough said. Candles are a beautiful part of Christmas. The
placement of candles is important in the prevention of building fires. Keep
candles well away from anything flammable, including the Christmas tree. Pets,
children, and even gravity can cause a tree to fall unexpectedly and if it falls on a
lit candle, it can create a flash fire in a matter of seconds. Never leave a child
alone with a lit candle, and never leave a candle unattended. Better yet, invest in
LED candles and never have to worry about, or even buy candles again.
Deck the Halls
Lights, both interior and exterior, wear out. Due to age, the elements, and the way
we pack them away, wires become weak and tend to short out over time. Holiday
lights are extremely inexpensive nowadays, so replace them after a few years and
definitely replace them if you suspect that they are becoming worn.
…and have yourself a merry little Christmas now!
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