‘Tis the Season for Fire Safety — Tips on Avoiding House Fires This Time of Year

Every year, stories emerge about people's houses catching fire. Their home is ablaze, all of their presents are turned to ash and it is often caused by something 100 percent preventable.

"It takes only seconds for a tree to ignite and the entire room to become engulfed in flames,"

-- State Fire Marshal Charles Duffy.

Here are a few tips to ensure you and your home stay safe this holiday season.

Artificial Trees:

• Make sure the artificial tree is flame retardant.

Natural Christmas Tree:

• Check the needles. They should be green and hard to pluck out. If needles begin to fall, it has dried out and is now a fire hazard.
• Before setting up your tree, experts recommend you cut the base at a 45-degree angle and put it in water. Keep the base filled with water.
• Keep your tree away from any heat sources. Not just fireplaces, but radiators, space heaters, floor vents -- anything with heat that could cause your tree to dehydrate.

I'll add it's always a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. If you have any tips you'd like to add, do so in the comments below.