Our holiday wish is for all residents to have a merry, bright, and SAFE holiday season. We encourage you to follow maintenance and decorating tips to prevent fires this season:

•IF you prefer natural to artificial, choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched and be sure to add water to the tree stand daily.

•MAKE sure any tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights and make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

•USE only lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory such as UL. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect and use; some lights are only for indoor OR outdoor use — not both.

•CHECK all lights, and replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.

•ALWAYS turn off decoration lights before leaving home or going to bed.

•NEVER leave lit candles unattended.

•DISPOSE of natural trees after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or placed outside against the home.

Lastly, smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors make great gifts that can save lives.

If you have a fire, call 911. Even if you think it is out, a smoldering fire can re-ignite.

By following these fire prevention tips, we can greatly reduce the risk of fire in your home and enjoy a safe holiday season making our holiday wish come true.

Check out more Fire Safety Tips and recommendations from the National Fire Protection Association at NFPA.org.