Information collected from the National Fire Protection Association website.

Christmas trees were the items first ignited in an estimated 360 reported U.S. structure fires per year resulting in 15 civilian deaths, 44 civilian injuries, and $16.4 million in direct property damage per year, in 1999-2002. These include real as well as artificial trees.

The leading factor contributing to Christmas tree fires and property damage was a heat source too close to combustibles, with 18 percent of the fires. Forty-four percent of Christmas tree fires in homes involved no equipment, but when equipment was cited it was usually electrical system components, as one would expect if decorative light on the trees, or the system feeding them power, were the primary problem.

The leading source of heat was arcing, accounting for 90 reported fires per year (30%), no civilian deaths, 10 civilian injuries, and $3.8 million in direct property damage per year. Radiated or conducted heat from properly operating equipment, the second leading cause accounted for 19 percent of the total.

Below are some tips to help you have a safe and happy holiday:

• When decorating Christmas trees, always use safe tree lights. (Some lights are designed only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.) Larger tree lights should also have some type of reflector rather than a bare bulb and all lights should be listed by a testing laboratory.
• Never use electric lights on a metal tree.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use tree lights.  Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used.
• Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them well away from tree branches.
• Purchase only lights and electrical decorations bearing the name of an independent testing lab, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and maintenance.
• Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. Do not overload extension cords.
• Use no more than three standard size sets of lights per single extension cord.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.
• Always unplug lights before replacing light bulbs or fuses.
• Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles.
• Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
• When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.
• Children are fascinated with Christmas trees. Keep a watchful eye on them when around the tree and do not let them play with the wiring or lights.
• Store matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet (one meter) away from any heat source and try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits.
• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house.