FORT BENNING, Ga., (Dec. 3, 2014) -- With the Thanksgiving holiday now complete, many Fort Benning Families have turned their attention to preparing for Christmas - and with Christmas, come Christmas decorations.

While decorations can add a festive look to any home, it's important to remember the increased risk associated with holiday décor, especially the increased risk of fire.

One traditional holiday item often associated with fire risk is the Christmas tree.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year fire departments respond to roughly 260 structure fires caused by Christmas trees. Of those, about one-third is caused by electrical problems and about 20 percent are caused by a heat source placed too close to the tree.

When picking a tree, the NFPA recommends that you choose a tree with fresh green needles that do not fall off when touched.

The NFPA also recommends the following precautions:

•Once a tree has been selected, cut one to two inches from the base of the trunk before placing it. Once it is placed, make sure it is not blocking an exit and is at least three feet away from any heat source such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or household lights.

•It is important to add water to the tree stand once the tree is placed and to add water daily while the tree is on display.

•For lighting the tree, be sure to use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, and should be used in their appropriate setting.

•Any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections should be replaced. Connect no more than three strands of lights or a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.

•When leaving your home or going to bed, always turn off your Christmas tree lights.

The Fort Benning Fire Department also recommends that fire-resistant artificial trees or decorations be used. This does not mean that these items will not catch fire, but rather that they should resist burning and extinguish quickly in the event of a fire.

In addition to the risks surrounding Christmas trees, there is also an enhanced risk of electrical fire due to circuit overload during the holidays.

"Don't overload your electrical outlets," said Steven Lowell, FBFD assistant chief of fire prevention. "Don't be tempted to plug too many items into your outlets, be sure to unplug items that aren't in use and never ignore a tripped fuse."

The FBFD also recommends that when using extension cords, be sure to not run them through doorways, under rugs or through any high-traffic areas. This can damage the cord's insulation and create a fire hazard. Along the same lines, be sure to make sure you are not damaging a light string's insulation when hanging a string. Use insulated staples to hold strands in place, rather than nails or tacks.

In addition to the dangers associated with decorations, the FBFD also offers a few other areas to consider.

First, never burn gift wrappings in an indoor fireplace. This can cause flash fires and is a major cause of chimney fires around the holidays.

Second, take additional precautions if you are a smoker. Fire risk associated with careless smoking goes up during the holidays and during holiday gatherings. Be sure to check carefully for any smoldering smoking materials before going to bed. Also, never smoke around a Christmas tree or flammable decorations.

Finally, as with any other time of year, make sure your smoke alarms are in good working order. Working smoke alarms can save lives.