Old or improperly placed Christmas lights, frayed extension cords and fireplaces create a potential for disaster. The Consumer Product Safety Commission surveys holiday decorations at stores nationwide, and this year prevented 360,000 units of holiday lights that did not meet safety standards from being imported. Although it's a busy time of year, it's important that people keep safety in mind. Use only lights that have been tested and conform to safety standards. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.
Faulty lights can create an electrical charge throughout the tree branches.
Do not overload extension cords. Portable GFCIs can be purchased. They will resist burning and should extinguish quickly if they catch on fire. Check live trees for freshness. Needles should be hard to pull off branches and the trunk base on a fresh tree is sticky with resin.