COLUMBUS – This year, more than ever, Americans are likely eager to bring some holiday cheer to their lives. This could mean shopping for a real Christmas tree. While shopping for a tree during a pandemic may seem like the hard part, AAA urges Ohioans to remember the importance of safely securing their tree to transport it home.

“Just like moving furniture, appliances or other large objects, transporting a tree is no different,” said Kellie O’Riordan, traffic safety program manager for AAA Ohio Auto Club. “If not properly secured, a tree can cause vehicle damage such as scratched paint, torn door seals or distorted window frames, which can cost as much as $1,500 in repairs.”

Even worse, an unsecured Christmas tree could fly off or out of the vehicle and become a danger to other drivers. Previous AAA research found that road debris caused more than 200,000 crashes during a four-year period, resulting in approximately 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths.

 

Tree Shopping During the Pandemic:

Just like everything else this year, shopping for your tree may look a little different. AAA urges Ohioans to take the following precautions:

 

  • Do not visit a tree lot if you or anyone from your family has tested positive for COVID-19 or are experiencing COVID-related symptoms.
  • Call the lot ahead of time and ask about their policies for visiting. It is possible they may have reduced operating hours or are limiting the amount of people who can visit the lot at one time. It is also a good idea to ask when they are slow and plan to visit then, when crowds may be smaller.
  • Even though most lots are located outside, it is recommended to wear a face covering and practice social distancing. Bring hand sanitizer and keep it nearby while shopping.

 

How to Safely Secure and Transport Your Tree:

Transporting a real Christmas tree home is easy as long as you have the right tools and follow AAA’s simple tips:

 

  • Make sure to bring strong rope or nylon ratchet straps, an old blanket, gloves and of course – the right vehicle. One with a roof rack is ideal but a pickup truck, sport utility vehicle (SUV), van or minivan can work just as well.
  • Once you’ve found the perfect tree, have the lot wrap it in netting before loading it. Loose branches can also be secured with rope or twine to help protect the tree from damage.
  • Prior to loading the tree, cover the roof with an old blanket to prevent scratches to the paint and protect the car from any damage.
  • Place the tree on the roof rack or in the bed of the truck with the tree trunk facing the front of the car. If the vehicle does not have a roof rack and is an SUV, compact utility vehicle (CUV), van or minivan – place the tree inside. If not, rent or borrow a pickup truck, a vehicle with a roof rack or one that is large enough to accommodate the tree inside.
  • Secure the tree at its bottom, center and top using strong rope or nylon ratchet straps. Avoid using the twine offered by many tree lots. Use fixed vehicle tie-down points and loop the rope or strap around the tree trunk above a branch to prevent any side-to-side or front-to-rear movement.
  • Once tied down, give the tree several strong tugs from various angles to make sure it is secured in place and will not come loose.
  • Drive slowly and take back roads if possible. Higher speeds can create significant airflow that can damage your tree or challenge even the best tie-down methods.

 

AAA provides more than 61 million members with travel-, insurance-, financial- and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited online at AAA.com.