Tips to Keep Your Holiday Season Safe

Tis the season for families to gather and excitement to build as the Christmas holidays draw near. Many of us are busy planning, shopping,  decorating and counting the days before that special day arrives.

And for most, a Christmas tree is the centerpiece and main focal point in decorating for the holidays. It can also be a major fire hazard points out Captain Tommy Rutledge, spokesman for Gwinnett County's fire department.

"During the holidays the fire load inside a home increases," said Rutledge who offers some valuable tips to help keep your family and home safe from accidental fires caused by holiday decorations.

A live tree fills a home swith the sweet scent of fresh pine, but can be a fire hazard if not cared for properly.

• When selecting a tree, bounce the tree trunk on the ground, if a large number of needles fall to the ground, the tree is probably dried out and may be a fire hazard.
• Look for a tree with a trunk that is sticky to the touch with green needles that do not break.
• Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times. A fresh cut tree will absorb quite a bit of water.
• Do not place your tree close to a heat source as heat will dry out the tree.
• Do not put your live tree up too early or leave up for more than two weeks.
• When its time to take the tree down, remember to never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove.

Take precautions with outdoor and indoor lights.

• Inspect lights for frayed wires, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets.
• Do not link more than three light strands unless the directions specifically indicate it is safe to connect more.
• Do not overload electric outlets.
• Do not leave holiday lights on unattended. When leaving the house be sure to turn off the Christmas tree lights and extinguish burning candles.

And a final reminder, a burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases. Have a working smoke alarm and portable fire extinguisher on every level of the home.