The risk of having a home fire increases during the winter months: December, January, and February. According to Project Holiday from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 800 fires a year begin with decorations and another 200 start with Christmas trees.

To help teach the public about winter fire hazards and ways to prevent them, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) are teaming up to promote “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires.”

Check out all the ways you can lower your risk of a fire in your home over the holidays (see picture above) and remember these tips:

• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
• Use indoor and outdoor lights appropriately. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights, so the cords don’t get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Find extra holiday, Christmas tree and fire safety information, videos, and graphics on the U.S. Fire Administration Holiday Safety page.