Make sure you put out fires and candles when you go to bed or leave the home. Install smoke alarms in your home on every level and in every sleeping area. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Plan and practice several fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place. If you choose to buy a natural tree, look for the freshest tree available.
Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire than older trees.
Keep your natural tree in a container full of water and check it daily. Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Cover the tree basin with a tree skirt or blanket. Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.