December 2020
Holiday decorations and activities add to festivities and cheer but can be challenging when residents fail to act responsibly.
Live-cut Christmas trees are a fire hazard and source of pest infestation. After the holidays disposing of them can be a challenge. Pushing a tree down the trash chute can cause a blockage preventing everyone from disposing of their trash. Dragging them through halls creates a mess of needles on carpets. Abandoning trees in the trash room or parking area makes them a problem for management. Tossing trees off balconies is not smart.
All of these abuses have occurred in high-rise buildings. Many condominium corporations choose to ban live-cut Christmas trees rather than deal with the many ways they are mishandled.
A seasonal notice reminding residents what is allowed during the holidays, and how to dispose of live-cut trees if allowed, can go a long way toward resolving problems. Offer a free tree bag and encourage residents to seal their tree before transporting it through common areas.
- Lights attached to a building or balcony can be a nuisance to others and fire risk.
- Lighting fireworks and firecrackers on a balcony should never be allowed for obvious reasons.
Some communities limit holiday decorations in common areas to specific locations, set up or maintained by building employees or a committee of residents.
Living in a community requires acceptance of certain traditions and activities so long as they are safe, reasonable, considerate and within the rules of the corporation.
