Pick only fresh Christmas trees - you'll know it's fresh if the needles are firmly attached.

When the tree is in your home, keep plenty of water around the base. A dry tree is the source of more than 1,000 home fires every year! Remove tree promptly after the holidays. Every day in the house the tree gets a little drier.

Do not use lights with worn insulation, broken plugs and loose sockets. They can cause fires, shocks and even electrocution. Do not overload electrical sockets. Turn off all inside and outside holiday lights before going to bed.

Keep space heaters away from curtains, bedspreads, furniture and other flammable materials. Warn children of the dangers of space heaters, such as fire or getting burned.

Be sure fireplace openings are covered with a sturdy metal screen or heat-tempered glass. This will reduce the chance of a fire from escaping sparks or wood. Make sure any stockings hung by the fireplace are removed before lighting a fire.

A Great Gift Idea: Carbon Monoxide Detector

Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It is produced by incomplete combustion of fuels including oil, coal, gasoline, propane, wood, natural gas, diesel fuel, charcoal and kerosene. Carbon monoxide exposure can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and other symptoms. Prolonged exposure brings more severe symptoms, including confusion, disorientation, convulsions and unconsciousness. In severe cases, it can be fatal. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installing a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home - especially near bedrooms.