Holiday lights add a touch of beauty to the holiday season. Unfortunately, some 500 home fires are blamed on Christmas trees each year in the U.S., causing 1,300 injuries and about three-dozen deaths.
More home fires occur during the winter than any other time.
Damaged or low-quality holiday lights, improper usage and lack of water for fresh trees are among the most common causes. Connect no more than three cords to any one outlet. Buy a fresh tree and water daily. Be sure to cut the end off the tree and water immediately. If it runs dry at any time, the bottom will become caked with sap, which will prevent the tree from taking in water.