The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire due to heating equipment. To ensure that you have a fire safe holiday season, see the following safety tips.

• Choose a Fresh Tree: Ensure your live tree is green with needles that don't easily fall off to reduce fire risks.
• Water Regularly: Keep your tree stand filled with water daily to prevent the tree from drying out.
• Position Carefully: Place your tree at least three feet away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, radiators, and space heaters.
• Inspect Lights: Use only UL-listed lights and check for frayed wires or broken bulbs before decorating.
• Turn Off Lights: Always unplug tree lights before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Avoid Overloading Outlets: Use power strips with built-in circuit breakers to safely power decorations.
• Dispose Properly: Remove the tree promptly after the holidays, as a dry tree is a fire hazard.

For more information on Christmas Tree Safety Tips, visit:

nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/winter-holidays