A house fire is always a tragedy, but there’s something about one happening during the holiday season that makes a terrible situation seem even worse.

And if the fire itself was caused by the trappings of the holiday season, it can leave a pall over the festivities for years afterward.

“Decorating your home for the holidays should be a time of joy, not a risk to your safety,” says Jeremy McLendon, deputy regional disaster officer for the Red Cross of Georgia. “Every year, home fires caused by decorations devastate families and communities. By taking simple precautions, you can protect your loved ones and ensure a safe and memorable celebration for your family.”

The American Red Cross offers simple steps to help make sure your holiday decorations aren’t the cause of a home fire during the holidays.

Holiday lighting

— Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.

— Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Check to make sure you have the right lights for where you are decorating.

— Replace any string of lights that has worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

— Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands you can safely connect.

— Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.

Tree safety

— If you are leaning toward a real tree, pick one with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.

— Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights, and make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

— Add water to the tree every day.

— Never use lit candles to decorate the tree and always turn off the tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

— If buying an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees. 

Candles and home fires

While candles are pretty and some smell good, they also cause home fires. Remember, a candle is an open flame ─ it can easily ignite anything that can burn. Think about using flameless candles ─ they look and smell like real candles.

— Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.

— Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.

— Keep candles at least 1 foot away from anything that can burn.

— Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily. Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.

— Light candles carefully.

— Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.

— Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.

Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. In addition to testing your alarms once a month, change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it. Also check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.