Festive holiday trees, softly glowing candles and delicious dinners set the scene for a joyous holiday season. But be sure to think about safety when preparing for your holiday festivities to help prevent illnesses and injuries.

Here are a few tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Safety Council (NSC) for home safety during the holidays.

Decorations

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the “Fire Resistant” label.
• Make sure your live Christmas tree always has plenty of water.
• Move breakable ornaments or those with small parts to higher tree branches where children cannot reach them.
• Use only lights that have been tested for safety; look for the label from an independent testing laboratory. Use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors.
• Replace damaged light sets.
• Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into a single socket.
• Keep mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, amaryllis and other potentially poisonous plants away from children.

Candles and Fireplaces

• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other flammable objects; use flameless candles instead.
• Place candles out of children’s reach, choosing locations where the candles cannot be knocked down or blown over.
• Use only non-flammable candle holders.
• Check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at least annually.
• Never burn trees, wreaths, wrapping paper or other trash in the fireplace.
• Never leave burning candles or fireplaces unattended.

Cooking and Food Safety

• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• When preparing food, wash your hands often.
• Keep raw meat away from fresh produce.
• Always keep raw meat separated from cooked meat. Do not use the same utensils, plates and cutting boards for cooked meat that you used for raw meat.
• Refrigerate hot or cold leftover food within two hours.
• Keep in mind that the NSC discourages the use of turkey fryers at home. The CPSC says that if you do use a turkey fryer, place it outside and away from your home or other flammable materials. Never use a turkey fryer in an enclosed area such as a porch or garage.

For more details on holiday safety, visit the CPSC holiday page and the NSC’s page on enjoying a safe holiday season.