Decorating your home indoors and out is a longstanding tradition during the holiday season. It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities and forget about the potential safety risks. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind while decorating and to prevent holiday mishaps:

• Make sure indoor lights, candles and live trees are placed away from flammable items like fireplaces and heaters.
• Live trees that are fresh and kept well-hydrated are less of a fire hazard.
• Artificial trees should be labeled as ‘fire-resistant” they are less susceptible to catching fire.
• Recycle and reuse wrapping paper – do not burn it in the fireplace.
• Check your light strands for frays and cracks, broken sockets, loose connections and replace missing bulbs.
• Turn off all lights before bed, and when you are away form home to avoid electrical fires.
• Unbreakable ornaments are best around children and pets.
• Secure candles and never leave a lit candle unattended.
• Keep outside  ladders and decorations away from overhead powerlines, and avoid hammering tacks or nails into electrical cords use hooks and insulated staples instead.
• Plants like holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are poisonous and you’ll want to keep them out of the reach of children and pets.