Seven steps to a safe holiday in the house

A glowing Christmas tree brings a special warmth to a home. Carelessness, however, can turn the warmth into a house fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the US has about 400 Christmas tree fires each year, with more than a dozen deaths, exponentially more injuries and more than $10 million in property loss and damage. Most are attributed to short-circuited lights.

Toms River Fire Prevention Bureau staffers offer some advice to keep you safe - and hopefully let volunteer firefighters enjoy the holidays along with you.

• Check smoke alarms. They'll give you precious time if trouble erupts.
• Leave perimeter space. Set the tree at least three feet from fireplaces, furnaces or other heat sources.
• Live tree? Fresher is better. Be sure the needles are green and hard to pull from the branch.
• Water live trees daily. And check the water level regularly. A six-footer consumes about a gallon every two days. Keep electric cords away from the water in the stand.
• Are the lights right? Quality lights bear the seal of an independent testing lab such as Underwriters Limited. Some are designed especially for indoor use, some strictly for outdoors. Check for defects and bare wire spots before stringing them up.
• Four weeks is about the limit. Even the heartiest live tree will be browning out by then. Dispose of it safely.
• Metallic tree? No strung lights, please. Why? If they're faulty, you might be shocked - literally.

Have a joyous time!