House fires peak in December and January. The three biggest holiday risks:

Trees

*Don't buy a dried-out tree; it'll be far more flammable than a fresh one. If needles shower down when you bounce the trunk on the ground, the tree is already too dry.
*Do keep your tree hydrated, which makes it less likely to catch on fire. Cut off a half inch from the bottom of the trunk when you get home, and make sure the water level never falls below the base of the tree.
*Don't set up your tree near heat sources, like the fireplace and heating vents, which will dry it out faster and increase the risk of its catching fire.
*Do toss or recycle your tree three to four weeks after you buy it — the older it gets, the more flammable it is. To find tree-recycling programs in your area, visit earth911.org.
*Don't burn your tree in the fireplace. Trees that aren't fresh can burn out of control. (Wrapping paper can cause flash fires, too.)
*Do choose only "fire retardant" artificial trees.

Candles

*Do use broad-based ones instead of tall, thin ones, which can tip over easily.
*Don't leave kids who are mobile alone in a room with a lit candle.
*Do blow out candles before going to bed.
*Don't dress your tree with lit candles.

Decorative lights

*Don't use them on a metallic tree, which can conduct a charge if a light malfunctions.
*Do check tree lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections.
*Don't connect more than three strings of lights to one extension cord or to each other.
*Do turn off the lights before leaving the house or going to bed; a short could start a fire