Transporting a Christmas tree may seem simple, but failing to secure it properly can lead to significant safety hazards and damage to both your vehicle and the tree itself. According to surveys, a large number of Americans neglect proper precautions when bringing home their Christmas tree, resulting in accidents and legal consequences. To avoid such risks, it’s crucial to follow key safety steps, including securing the tree with proper materials, choosing the right vehicle, and inspecting your load throughout the journey. By taking the right precautions, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season without unwanted mishaps.
Our experienced attorneys at Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP are committed to providing personalized, compassionate representation, ensuring that your rights are protected every step of the way. Whether you need assistance with a personal injury claim, medical malpractice case, or another legal matter, we will fight for the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today for a free consultation, and let us help you navigate the legal process with confidence and peace of mind.
Important Statistics About Transporting Christmas Trees
According to an AAA survey, about 44% of Americans planning to buy a live Christmas tree may neglect to properly secure it during transportation. This percentage stays elevated, despite more than 10% of respondents acknowledging past incidents where trees have fallen off their vehicles while transporting them. The American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA) reports that millions of U.S. households put up a Christmas tree each year and emphasize the importance of safe transportation practices to prevent such incidents.
Additional data compiled by AAA reveals that obstacles in the road led to approximately 200,000 crashes as well as around 39,000 injuries and 500 fatalities in the last four years. Approximately two-thirds of these motor vehicle accidents were the result of objects including Christmas trees coming off of vehicles while they were in motion. The risk of a ‘Christmas tree fall’ is significant, with 16 percent of Americans having experienced their tree falling off or out of their vehicle during transit.
If a Christmas tree causes a collision, either by falling from one vehicle into the path of another or causing a second vehicle to brake or swerve to avoid a collision, the driver of the inadequately secured tree may be held liable for the resulting damage. New York, along with many other states, enforces laws that penalize drivers for not properly securing transported items, preventing them from falling or shifting off the vehicle.
Pre-Transportation Preparations
Before bringing your Christmas tree home:
- Make sure you have the right supplies and vehicle.
- Check your vehicle’s roof rack to ensure it’s sturdy and suitable for carrying a Christmas tree. If you don’t have a roof rack, consider investing in one or using a pickup truck, SUV, van, or minivan.
- Gather necessary supplies such as nylon ratchet straps, a tarp or old blanket, and a red flag (if required by state or local laws).
- Measure your tree to ensure it fits comfortably on your vehicle, and consider buying a tree that has been bagged or netted to reduce wind resistance during transport.
By taking these steps before transporting your Christmas tree, you can ensure a safe and hassle-free trip home.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
When choosing a vehicle to transport your Christmas tree, consider the size and weight of the tree. A roof rack is ideal for securing a tree, but if you don’t have one, a pickup truck, SUV, van, or minivan can work just as well. Ensure your vehicle has enough space to accommodate the tree’s length and width. If you have a smaller vehicle, consider using a smaller tree or seeking assistance from a friend or family member with a larger vehicle. Always check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to see what the roof rack is rated for, and never tie a tree to the roof without a roof rack.
Only Transporting a Christmas Tree on Vehicles with Roof Racks
If a vehicle is not equipped with a roof rack and you must transport a tree, you should either place it inside a truck or the interior of a va, provided the tree can fit into the vehicle with all of its doors closed. To avoid taking home a tree that is too big for your vehicle, you should make sure to measure the inside of your vehicle before going to pick up a tree. Then, when selecting a tree, you should consider how you will get the tree to the top of your vehicle as well as how you will later take the tree down.
If your vehicle does not fit with a roof rack and does not have a big enough cargo bed (or a cargo bed at all) to transport a tree, you should consider other options to transport your tree, including having it delivered.
Remember, if your vehicle is not equipped with a roof rack, tying a tree to the vehicle’s roof means that the tree will not be as securely attached and has a much greater risk of coming off while being transported. When transporting a Christmas tree, it is crucial to secure it properly to avoid potential dangers such as vehicle damage, road hazards, and legal consequences.
Cover the Tree in a Blanket or Tarp
While most tree farms offer to wrap your tree in netting so the branches will remain secured, wrapping a tree in an additional blanket or tarp will also help to protect the interior as well as paint of your vehicles from getting damaged by the tree through scraping as well as fallen needles and sap. If a tree is not placed in netting, a tarp is the only thing that will keep the branches bound. Tarps make trees easier to transport, help reduce wind resistance, and reduce the risk that the tree will hurt passengers if the tree is moved while inside the vehicle.
Always Drive Cautiously
Avoid highways as well as congested streets whenever possible when transporting a tree. You should make sure to drive at a reduced speed because speeding can lead to greater airflow around the tree and potentially damage it. Furthermore, if you are not experienced with driving while cargo is secured to the roof rack, you should make sure to utilize a high degree of caution because cargo secured to a roof can substantially change how a vehicle is handled. Transporting cargo on a vehicle’s roof can also substantially increase a driver’s chances of losing control of a vehicle and ending up in a crash if the driver needs to stop or brake quickly.
Additionally, there are significant risks and safety concerns related to having a tree fall off or out of a vehicle while transporting a Christmas tree. Statistics indicate how common this issue is among buyers, emphasizing the potential dangers and costs associated with improperly secured trees, including damage to vehicles and road safety hazards.
Be Prepared to Routinely Stop to Inspect the Tree
If it’s a long trip to transport your tree, you should make sure to pull over at least once during your trip to inspect the tree. When you perform this inspection, you should make sure that the tree has not shifted in transit and that the ropes have not become unloosened.
Post-Transportation Precautions
After transporting your Christmas tree:
- Take necessary precautions to prevent damage and ensure safety. If you’ve transported the tree inside your vehicle, remove any loose branches or debris to prevent scratches or damage.
- If you’ve used a tarp or blanket, remove it to prevent moisture buildup.
- Inspect your vehicle for any damage or scratches caused by the tree.
- Dispose of any packaging materials, such as netting or bags, responsibly.
By following these post-transportation precautions, you can protect both your vehicle and your tree, ensuring a smooth and safe setup for the holiday season.
Final Check and Setup
Before setting up your Christmas tree:
- Perform a final check to ensure it’s secure and safe.
- Inspect the tree trunk for any damage or loose branches, and trim any loose ends. If you’ve transported the tree on a roof rack, double-check the tie-downs to ensure they’re secure.
- Place the tree in a sturdy stand, and ensure it’s level and stable.
- Fluff out the branches to create a balanced and visually appealing tree.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy your Christmas tree safely and securely throughout the holiday season.
Adequately Securing the Tree with Nylon Ratchet Straps
Whether you’re transporting a tree on a roof rack, in the bed of a pickup, or inside a vehicle, you should follow some important advice while transporting a tree. Some of the pieces of safety advice that you should follow include:
- If you’re using roof racks, point the tree so the tree’s trunk faces your vehicle’s front. If the tree’s top faces the wind, a chance exists that the wind could lift the lighter portion of the tree, shift it, or fully blow off the vehicle. Wind can also heavily damage a tree’s branches, which means that the tree you bring home can end up unsightly.
- Bring your own material to tie down the tree, which might include rope. Many tree lots offer twine that is too lightweight to be helpful.
- Using fixed vehicle tie-down points make sure to secure the tree by the bottom as well as at the top.
- After securing a tree to your vehicle, tug on the rope used to secure the tree to make sure that it doesn’t shift from side to side or from front to back.
By properly securing your tree with nylon ratchet straps and following these safety guidelines, you can ensure a safe and smooth journey home without risking damage to your tree or vehicle.
What to do if You’ve Been Injured in a Crash Caused by Road Debris
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP our Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer appreciates just how uncomfortable it is to drive behind a vehicle with cargo that is either hanging out of an open truck or extending past the edges of the roof. After all, if the driver does not properly secure the cargo, it could fly off and strike your vehicle. While this risk does not always result in crashes, unfortunately, it does lead to many accidents each year.
If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of another person’s negligence, our attorneys will do everything possible to make sure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation. Following car crashes leading to injuries, you should not hesitate to schedule a free case evaluation with our Long Island personal injury lawyers by calling (516) 358-6900 or completing our contact form. Learn more about car accident claims by subscribing to our Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP YouTube Channel.
