The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, decorating, and entertaining.  These things and the use of heating equipment create an increased risk of fire.  For a happy and fire-safe holiday season follow these simple tips:

* Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.

* Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.

* Use lights that have a label from an independent testing laboratory.

* To avoid damage to wiring use clips not nails to hang lights.

* Test your smoke detectors!  You should have at least one detector on each level  of your home.

* Keep children and pets away from lit candles.

* Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove-top.

Click on attached link from the National Fire Protection Association for more information.

Have a happy and fire-safe holiday and winter season.