The holidays are fast approaching. Here are some tips to make your holiday happy and safe.

Trees:

Artificial trees should be fire resistant, which means if the tree catches fire it will resist burning. If it does become flammable, it should extinguish quickly.

Live trees should be fresh and green. The needles should be hard to pull from branches and should not break. The bottom of the trunk should be sticky with resin. When tapped on the ground, it should not lose many needles.

Place your tree away from traffic, fireplaces and radiators. Heated rooms rapidly dry out live trees; be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Do not block doorways.

Never burn candles near evergreens. Burning evergreens in the fireplace can also be hazardous. When dry, greens burn like tinder. Flames can flare out of control, and send sparks flying into a room or up the chimney to ignite creosote deposits.

Lights:

Only use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory.

Check for broken sockets, frayed wires or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets.

Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity and cause electrocution.

Turn off lights when you go to bed or leave the house.

Check labels to be sure lights have been certified for outdoor use.

Fasten outdoor lights securely to protect from wind damage. Use only insulated staples or run strings of lights through hooks. Do not use nails or tacks.

For added protection, plug outdoor decorations into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.

Decorations:

Use only flame-resistant materials such as tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.

Never use lit candles on a tree or near evergreens. Use non-flammable holders and place candles where they will not be knocked down.

In homes with small children, avoid sharp or breakable decorations. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of reach and avoid those that resemble candy or food.

Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass or "angel hair." Follow directions carefully while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

Shopping Safety:

Be aware of your surroundings.

Remember where you parked your car. While this may sound elementary, many shopping centers are spread out over large areas. Being unable to locate a car can cause you undue confusion and stress that may make you a better target to a criminal.

If shopping late in the day or after dark, park in an area that is well lighted.

Shop in pairs or groups. Take a friend or family member shopping with you. There is something to be said for safety in numbers.

As you return to your car, make sure to keep your car key in your hand.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with checks, credit or debit cards.

Carry cash and wallets in a front pocket to reduce your chances of having your pocket picked.

Don't leave cell phones, purchased merchandise or any other item of value in your parked car where they can be seen. Always conceal these items.

While these steps don't guarantee you will not become a victim, they will hopefully reduce your chances of falling prey to a criminal.