Tips for transporting a Christmas tree safely
Posted December 7, 2013 10:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A Christmas tree is pretty in the living room, but a new study shows just how dangerous it can be on a car.
The study out of Germany shows that at 50 kilometres an hour, a tree takes on 25 times its own weight and can shred bungee cords or ropes tying it to your vehicle’s roof.
Ken Cousin with BCAA says ratchet straps are the only thing you should be using to secure your tree. “They’re rather inexpensive, they’re quite useful for a lot of things around the house and they’ll secure a tree very securely. They usually come four in a package for less than $20. Place one around the base of the tree which is facing forward, one at the back, and a couple across your roof rack.”
If you don’t have a roof rack, BCAA’s Ken Cousin says it’s fine to cram the tree in the back of your car, if you follow a few simple rules. “You want to make sure the base of the tree is pointed towards the front of the car and is against the seat. If it’s hanging far out the trunk or the hatch, you want to put a red flag on it. You also want to exercise caution with exhaust fumes. You open the hatch of your car and the exhaust fumes will travel up.”
