Holiday safety

• To reduce the chance of fire, buy an artificial nonflammable tree or buy a fresh-cut tree, not one that was cut in August.

• "Buy the freshest tree you can," Guynn said. "Take the tree, gently lift it and tap it against the ground. If the perimeter needles fall off, it's dry. If the interior needles fall off, it's very dry."

• Check the color. Eyeballing isn't a guarantee, Guynn said, but darker trees are generally drier.

• Trees that have resilient needles and spring back after touching are likely pretty fresh.

• Saw off a half-inch of trunk to open up new water pathways just before putting the tree in its stand.

• After sawing, immediately put the tree in water and keep the water level up.

• If the water level gets too low, pathways can close and the tree will need to be recut. "What you're doing is providing an artificial root system for the tree, so treat them as you would fresh-cut flowers," Guynn said.

• Spray the tree with a fire-retardant. Guynn doesn't put a lot of stock in old wives' tales such as putting a penny in the water or adding carbonated soda.

• Inspect the lights carefully while decorating. Discard broken lights or frayed, exposed wires.

• Don't exceed the capacity of the light string. Usually no more than three can be safely connected together.

• Larger lights should be placed away from direct contact with needles.

• Never use lighted candles on a live tree.

• Make sure the tree is stable and won't tip over.

• Keep the tree away from cold air returns and heat vents. Moving air quickly dries a tree out.

• Make sure nearby smoke detectors are working properly. Have fire extinguishers available.

• Rehearse the family fire evacuation plan.

Christmas trees burn hot and quick when they catch fire, Guynn said. Tree safety is critical in preventing holiday disasters. Test burns by the fire department show that dry trees virtually explode once they're exposed to any kind of open flame.

"Holidays should be festive, not tragic," Guynn said.