As your family puts up a tree or hangs the stockings this year, start a new tradition by prioritizing safety.

Too often, the twinkling lights people see are on top of a fire truck or ambulance — the result of holiday accidents that could have been prevented.

According to the United States Fire Administration, Christmas trees start an average of 260 house fires each season, resulting in more than $16 million in property damage. Another 150 house fires are sparked by holiday lights and decorative lighting, costing $8.9 million in damage. Typically, these fires are more severe and damaging, resulting in twice the injuries and five times the fatalities per blaze compared to average winter home fires.

But safety steps don’t end with bright decorations. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following safety tips for all the tasks on your decorating to-do list.

Trees

Many artificial trees are fire-resistant. If you buy one, look for a statement specifying this protection. 

A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. To check for freshness, remember:

• A fresh tree is green.
• Fresh needles are hard to pull from branches.
• When bent between your fingers, fresh needles do not break.
• The trunk bottom of a fresh tree is sticky
  with resin.
• When the trunk of a tree is bounced on the ground, a shower of falling needles shows that the tree is too dry.

Place the tree away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources. Heated rooms dry trees out rapidly, creating fire hazards.

Cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Trim away branches as necessary to set the tree trunk in the base of a sturdy, water-holding stand with wide spread feet. Keep the stand filled with water while the tree is indoors.

Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. Use thin guy wires to secure a large tree to the walls or ceiling. These wires are almost invisible.

Artificial snow

Artificial snow sprays can irritate the lungs if inhaled. To avoid injury, read container labels and follow the directions carefully.

Lights

Use only lights tested for safety, indoors or outdoors. Identify these by the label from an independent testing laboratory.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets or repair them before using.

To prevent wind damage, secure outdoor lights to trees, houses, walls, or another firm support. Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. 

Turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short and start a fire.

Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. Faulty lights can charge the tree with electricity, and anyone touching a branch could be electrocuted. To avoid this danger, use colored spotlights above or beside a tree — never fastened onto it.

Keep “bubbling” lights away from children. These lights with their bright colors and bubbling movement can tempt curious children to break the candle-shaped glass, which can cut, and attempt to drink the liquid, which contains a hazardous chemical.

Candles

Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders. Keep candles away from other decorations and wrapping paper, and place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over.

Trimmings

Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials.

Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass “angel hair” to avoid irritation to eyes and skin.

In homes with small children, take special care to:

• Avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable.
• Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children. Pieces could be swallowed or inhaled.
• Choose tinsel, artificial icicles, plastic, or non-leaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
• Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food. A child could eat them.

Fires

Before lighting a fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from the fireplace area. Also, check to see that the flue is open. Keep a screen before the fireplace at all times when a fire is burning.

Use care with “fire salts,” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals, which can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation or vomiting if eaten. Keep away from children.

Paper

When making paper decorations, look for materials labeled non-combustible or flame-resistant. Never place trimming near open flames or electrical connections.

Remove all wrapping papers from the tree and fireplace areas immediately after opening presents. Do not burn papers in the fireplace. The wrappings may ignite suddenly and burn intensely, causing a flash fire.