Thanksgiving is over, December has arrived, and I'm sure everyone is itching to decorate for Christmas. I know I am!

Even with all the winter cheer in the air, safety still has to play a role in your holidays. Keep reading for tips regarding all aspects of decorating and safety!

Trees and ornaments:
- If you decide to go with an artificial tree, look for a "fire resistant" label. This doesn't guarantee the tree won't catch fire, but it means the tree won't burn as quickly and should be easier to extinguish.
- If you go with a live tree, get one that is as fresh as possible. The fresher it is, the more moisture it has, therefore making it less flammable.
- Whether the tree is real or artificial, place it away from all heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, etc.
- If you have children in your home, try to use flame resistant and non toxic materials to trim your tree. These can be very dangerous if ingested.

Lighting:
- Always use lights that meet safety standards through rigorous testing. The lights should have this marked somewhere on the packaging.
- Aways check your strands of lighting for broken or damaged sockets, of frayed/damaged wires. DO NOT use them if there is damage of any kind.
- Turn off all lights when you leave the house or go to bed. The lights could short out and ignite.
- Before hanging outdoor lights, make sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
- Never use more than three sets of lights per extension cord/outlet.

And before you do ANY decorating, make sure your smoke/fire alarms work. Now is not the time to risk your safety and the safety of your home!

Happy Holidays and happy decorating!

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