The following are tips from the National Fire Protection Association are designed to keep homes safe during the holiday season:

•  Choose decorations that are flame resistant and flame retardant.
• Keep candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. According to the NFPA, two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles, and nearly half of decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source. Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any strings of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords don’t get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.