SUNDAY, Dec. 19, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- Don't let the activity and excitement of the holidays make you forget fire safety.
The New York-Presbyterian Hospital offers the following reminders:
- Christmas trees cut early in the season dry out and become fire hazards. Never put a Christmas tree in front of an exit.
- Do not decorate a Christmas tree with candles, even if you never intend to light them.
- Use only Christmas tree lights that have been inspected by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Inspect and test your lights each year before you put them on the tree.
- Never leave your Christmas tree lights on when you leave the house. If there's a short in a wire, you could return home to find your house on fire.
- Don't place your Christmas tree near a fireplace. If there's no other place to put the tree, don't use the fireplace until after the tree has been removed and you've cleaned up all the tree's needles.
- Never leave holiday or religious candles burning unattended.
More information
The U.S. Fire Administration has more about home fire safety.
