Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your community's chances of a fire.

* Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns. Make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily.

* Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.

* Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires.

*Read manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.

*Water your Christmas tree every day. A dry Christmas tree can burn very hot and very fast.

* Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents. Also, make sure your tree does not block exits.

* Get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it is dry.