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Here’s a scary statistic:  From 2005–2009, 240 home fires started in the U.S. because of Christmas trees.  As a result, 13 deaths, 27 injuries and nearly $17 million in property damage occurred, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Every year, personal and retail crimes increase during the season of goodwill. These unfortunate circumstances can be greatly reduced by taking the proper precautions both inside and outside the home.

Here are some holiday safety tips to protect your loved ones this winter:

Holiday Safety Tips: Decorations

• When putting up holiday decorations, don’t stand on chairs or other furniture. Always use a ladder or step stool to reach high places and keep three points of contact on the ladder (two feet and one hand or vice versa).

• If buying a fresh tree, remember that most of them absorb their water within 6-8 hours after entering your home. Cut approximately two inches off the trunk and put the tree in a strong stand that also acts as a water container. Water it regularly so the tree does not dry out quickly and become a fire hazard.

• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, and where it won’t block doorways. Try to place the tree near an outlet to reduce excessive trailing cords.

• Dried-out trees are flammable, so a fresh tree should be disposed four weeks after placing it in your home. If you don’t have a community service that picks it up for you, contact the place where you purchased the tree, as they might offer disposal alternatives.

• Avoid using tinsel and Angel hair (finely spun glass) if you have young kids or pets, as they can cause cuts or other damage if swallowed.

• If using artificial snow, apply it in properly ventilated areas. Inhaling the chemicals from the can or spraying it near the eyes can cause injury.

• Check all electrical items for the “Underwriters Laboratories” (UL) seal, which indicates it has been tested and considered safe.

• Look for cracked sockets and loose or frayed wires before plugging items into the wall.

• Don’t burden your extension cord. Don’t use more than three standard-size light sets per cord.

• If placing lights outside, secure them to your house or trees with proper fastening to protect from wind and snow damage.

• Turn off all lights when you go to sleep or leave the house.  For convenience, there are timers available that turn your lights on and off at your specified time.

• Take down outdoor holiday lights after three months to avoid damage from the elements and neighborhood animals.

Holiday Safety Tips: Heat & Fire

• If you have a fireplace, don’t close the damper (the plate that regulates airflow) with hot ashes remaining.  It can cause the fire to reheat and force carbon monoxide into the house.

• Never burn charcoal indoors and don’t use excessive amounts of paper to build fires, as it could ignite creosote (black, oily build-up) in the chimney.

• Many people think fire salt is cool because it creates flames of different colors when thrown on firewood.  However, if you have children, it’s best to avoid using it because if ingested, it can cause serious gastrointestinal problems and more.

• In the same vein, oil lamps need to be kept out of reach of little hands. Even though the oil bottles have safety caps, the lamps themselves do not, and their bright colors attract young children.  If swallowed, it could be deadly. Electric candle anyone?

Holiday Safety Tips: Children

• While it’s fun to decorate your house when you have young children, avoid using decorations that are sharp, breakable or have small parts.  Place these trimmings near the top of the tree, as well as ornaments that resemble food – they may be mistaken for real cookies!

• Always keep candles, lighters and matches hidden and make sure children are not left unattended in a room with a burning candle.  “Bubble” lights should be out of reach as well, since the glass is easily breakable and contains dangerous chemicals.

• If relatives or guests are visiting, be sure their medications are locked in a suitcase, purse or somewhere out of reach.

• Empty any partially filled glasses of alcohol that might be unattended to reduce the chances a child will consume it.

• It’s that time of year where lots of people are shopping.  Not all of those people are nice and sweet.  Don’t let your children wear items that bear their name…why? Stranger Danger!

• When in a public place, always accompany your child to the restroom.

• Have an emergency plan. If your child gets separated from you while you are out and about, talk about where the child can go for assistance (salesperson, security officer, etc.) and make sure they don’t wander to the parking lot to try and find you.

Holiday Safety Tips: Pets

• While poinsettias were targets for so many years, it’s actually holly berries, mistletoe and Jerusalem cherries that can be poisonous for your pets – causing nausea, abdominal pain and more. Keep these items out of eating range.

• Keep your pets away from unattended plates of food and open garbage cans as holiday goodies may have chocolate or other ingredients that could be dangerous.

• If buying toys for your pets (hey, they have stockings too), select ones that are chewy and virtually indestructible to prevent torn or shredded pieces from being swallowed.

Holiday Safety Tips: Gifts & Toys

• If you’ve done some shopping and want to make sure the toys you purchased are safe, check the toy recall list, which is published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

• Many toys require batteries, which are hazardous if bitten or swallowed. All batteries, especially the small disc ones, should be out of reach for young children. Alkaline can leak from the battery and cause chemical burns to the mouth and if one is swallowed it could obstruct the airway.

• While perfume is a popular gift for adults, the sweet scent could entice a child to want to taste it. Keep perfume in an area out of children’s reach because the combination of ingredients and large amounts of alcohol used to make the scent is dangerous if consumed.

• Do not burn wrapping paper or bows in an attempt to reduce the amount of it strewed across the living room floor. Why? They can emit poisonous gases, which can ignite a large, uncontrollable fire quickly.

Holiday Safety Tips: Food & Drink

• To reduce spreading bacteria to uncooked foods, wash hands, utensils, cutting boards and the sink after working with raw meats.

• When defrosting meat, poultry, fish, cheesecake and more, do so only in the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave – never at room temperature, as this could lead to foodborne illness.

• Once they are cooked, baked or made, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold to avoid stomach-related problems.

• If you are purchasing food online or from TV shopping channels, it should arrive frozen or partially frozen and insulated in either a foam or corrugated cardboard box with a cold source to keep it chilled. Even if food is smoked or vacuum-packed it is still a perishable item.  If it arrives warm, do not eat it or even taste it, instead call the company.

• Tis the season to pop a cork!  However, every holiday season, hospitals across the country must tend to injuries due to champagne opening! To avoid an eye injury, make sure the bottle is chilled to at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit before opening and don’t shake the bottle. Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and from any bystanders.

• Discard eggnog after it has been out for two hours at room temperature.  Eggs. Hours.  Ew.

Holiday Safety Tips: Shopping

• Be aware of your surroundings when you use an ATM. Have your card ready when you arrive and when you’re done, put your card and cash away immediately – don’t count your cash until you are in a safe place.

• If using a drive-thru ATM, keep your car running, your doors locked and the rest of the windows up.

• Keep your Personal Identification Number (PIN) secret. Don’t write it down and hide it in your wallet.

• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers and company contact info at home in a secure place in case you lose them or need to cancel cards due to fraudulent activity.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash – use a check or credit card.

• Ladies, don’t leave your purse in the child seat of a shopping cart unattended.  Better yet, try to wear a cross-body bag when possible.

• Gentlemen, watch your wallet, it’s a popular target for crooks in shopping areas, mass transit terminals and more.

• It’s easy to get distracted and leave items behind. Before you leave a store or restaurant, make sure you have everything – credit or debit cards, car keys, wallet, etc.

• Don’t overload yourself with packages, instead, make a trip to the car and place the items in your trunk so that you are not an easy target because your hands are full.

• Park in well-lighted areas and lock your doors.

• Place all shopping bags and packages in the trunk or out of sight, covered in the back seat.

• Stores are open late for holiday shopping. Have your car keys in your hand when you exit the store and walk briskly to your car.

• Always know where you are parked (find a marker to remember), so you don’t walk around the parking lot lost and confused.

• Look inside and under your car before entering your vehicle.

Holiday Safety Tips: Driving & Traveling

• Prepare your car for winter by checking items such as the brakes, spark plugs, battery, and tires.

• Have a winter emergency kit handy in case of trouble. You can find ones at stores that are pre-made or you can assemble your own. Make sure to include a flashlight, first-aid kit, jumper cables, windshield washer fluid and basic tools.

• Keep doors locked and don’t leave your GPS, laptop, wallet, or other valuables exposed.

• Never let your gas tank go down past the halfway point. In the winter, you never know when a blizzard will hit or traffic will come to a complete stop – for hours.

• If your car breaks down, stay with the car and don’t take a ride from strangers.  If someone stops to help, ask him or her to call the police if you are without a cell phone.

• If you have the feeling you’re being followed – don’t drive home. Go to a police station, gas station or public place.

• Don’t pull up to a gas station, start the pump, and then walk inside the store.

• If you forgot something and need to run back in the house, don’t leave your car running in the driveway. It’s practically an open invitation for thieves.

• You already know this one, but don’t drink and drive. Ever.

• If you are leaving for a night of fun, turn on lights or the TV so that it appears that someone is home. Automatic timers for lights are available to make it easy.

• Every year, we hear about a Grinch who stole presents from under a family’s tree. Holiday gifts should not be displayed where they can be seen from the outside.

• If you plan to travel for the holidays, don’t discuss your plans on Facebook, Twitter or other social sharing sites – crooks can use this info to strike because they know you won’t be at home.

• If you are going away for an extended amount of time, put a temporary hold on your mail and newspaper deliveries.

• Make arrangements to have snow removed while you’re away and ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house.

Last but not least, cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Dress in several layers of clothing to protect yourself from the elements.

• Wash your hands frequently to prevent germ spreading.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow.

This time of year is hectic, icy and cold. You can avoid unfortunate circumstances by taking some time to adopt these holiday safety tips to protect your loved ones this winter.

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