The winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. As you deck the halls this season, be "fire smart" and remember to decorate safely.

Following a few simple tips can help make your holidays fire-safe:

•Keep lit candles away from decorations and things that can burn. More than 1/3 of home decoration fires are started by candles. Consider using flame-less candles... they look remarkably similar and are safer.

•Water your live Christmas tree every day. A dry tree is a fire hazard. Trees too close to a heat source cause 1 in every 5 winter fires.

•Make sure you are using the right lights. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Do not use indoor lights outside.

•Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

•Choose holiday decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.

•Blow out lit candles and turn off all light strings and decorations when leaving the room or when going to bed.

•Make sure your decorations don’t block windows and doors.