December is here – let the holiday season decorating begin! When living in an off-campus housing unit, it’s important to think about what kind of decorations you will use, since you don’t own the property.

Below are a few things for student tenants to keep in mind when decorating their rental unit this year.

Use non-damaging hangers for decorations on walls and doors:

• Command strips
• Velcro tape
• Self-attaching garland
• Removable wreath hanger

Be proactive about potential fire hazards:

• Use lights graded properly for indoor and outdoor decorations
• Decorate an artificial Christmas tree, as it’s considered safer than a real one
• Use flameless candles
• Use extension cords according to manufacturer specifications and don’t tuck them under carpeting or leave them accessible, as they could become a tripping hazard

Be thoughtful of neighbors:

• Ensure outdoor decorations are not encroaching on any neighboring properties
• Ensure decorations are placed in safe areas indoors and secured well outside, so they cannot fall or blow away in high winds
• Be mindful of positioning lights outside, especially if near a neighbor’s windows or property

These are a few tips that will help make your decorating simple and your landlord appreciative. Easily removable and carefully placed decorations are key to a safe holiday!

SEE ALSO:  Great Ideas to Decorate Small Student Housing Spaces