Christmas Eve is fast approaching. Most likely, you’re done decorating your home - and so are your tenants.

Speaking of your rental property, have you already planned to keep it protected? Because safety should be a top priority during this time, especially that holiday lights and decorations present opportunities for liability. Also, don’t ignore the fact that burglaries can happen. 

In today’s article, we’re going to share important tips to ensure that your tenants are protected from holiday injuries and hazards. Keep reading.

7 Safety Tips You Should Pass Along to Tenants This Holiday Season

1. Exterior Christmas lights

Everyone likes those lovely Christmas lights. If some of your tenants have adorned their home with exterior lights, do remind them that they should only use lights and cords that are certified for outdoor use. Advise your tenants to check for broken sockets and bad connections!

2. Candles

One of the simplest ways to prevent fires this holiday season is to put candles out before leaving a room or the house. Also, make sure that they’re out of reach of pets and children. Remind your tenants of this.

3. When a tenant is going to be away

Tell your tenants that they should not give thieves a clue that they are out of town. They can do this by asking a neighbor to collect all their newspapers left on the driveway or doorstep.

4. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Be sure to check that all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly. Are there new batteries installed? When was the last time the alarms have been tested? Replace anything that needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

5. Trash

Remind your tenants that they should be extra careful of their trash. If they leave empty boxes of expensive equipment and appliances out on the street, burglars will think that there’s surely something worth stealing.

6. Matches and lighters

Kids can start fires using matches and lighters out of curiosity. These things are abundant during the holiday season. Tell your tenants to keep them out of reach, in a high cabinet. It’s best to keep the cabinet locked at all times.

7. Fire extinguisher

Does the rental have a fire extinguisher and does your tenant know how to use it? Keep a fire extinguisher handy and verify that it can handle most household fires. Choose a fire extinguisher labeled ABC. This means that it can be used on fires involving ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical equipment.

Final Thoughts

Help keep your tenants safe and enjoy peace of mind this season. Email, send your tenants a text message, or speak with them in person to remind them of these safety tips. Disaster can happen anytime. Better safe than sorry!

If you’re ready, make Landlord Prep your go-to resource for landlording education. Here, we offer a complete DIY landlording course to get you on the right track. Join our academy today. If you want, you can check out Flavia’s real estate investing webinar first!