Christmas… “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” as the saying goes. But did you know winter is the most dangerous time of year for fire accidents?

Decorations and trees, real or fake, need regular attention and routine maintenance.

Assistant Chief of Fire at Stroud Township Volunteer Fire Department (STVFD), Chris Martin, gives important and helpful tips to make sure you and your family stay safe during the holidays.

1. Why is it important to keep trees watered?

Keeping trees watered and checking on them daily helps prevent any fire accidents. According to Cavallo & Signoriello Insurance Agency, nationally, there are roughly 200 Christmas tree fires per year.

2. What is the most common fire safety mistake?

Plugging too many decorations into one outlet can cause various fire mistakes. Plugging in too many lights to the same circuit can cause breakers to trip and outlets to overheat. Try plugging things into as many different circuits as possible.

3. Is an artificial tree safer than a real tree?

According to ValuePenguin, of the 80% of Americans with a Christmas tree, about 63% put up an artificial tree while others prefer a real tree. Neither is significantly more dangerous than the other. “Real trees are safe as long as they are kept watered,” said Martin.

4. What is the worst season for fire hazards?

STVFD, Junior Volunteer Firefighter, Alexis Phillips, 10, says, “Christmas is one of our busiest times of the year because it is cold, and everyone is turning their heat sources on [potentially leading to] carbon monoxide alarms and house fires.”

There are many things to keep you safe for the holiday time. Make sure to give attention to those very spots and decorations more likely to cause hazards. Also, simply removing or repositioning decorations can help when it comes to dry trees, electrical overuse, or too many real candles near flammable materials.

So, check outlets and extension cords for overheating. Make sure you choose only outdoor cords for outside use. Replace old or outdated cords. Most importantly, before you pack up those decorations at the end of the season, remember to inspect cords and connections for damage.

For more fire safety tips, check out the STVFD website or STVFD Facebook page.