During this festive time of the year, it is often easy to overlook fire safety, when in fact many of the things we do - such as putting up trees, plugging in strands of bright lights, burning candles and cooking holiday meals - can and do lead to an increased risk of fire at home. For these reasons, the Syosset Fire Department (SFD) urges residents within the Syosset Fire District to be vigilant and practice holiday fire safety to ensure a healthy and happy holiday season.

Within the District, fire emergencies generally increase from November to March. In fact, across the United States, Christmas trees, both real and artificial, are among the first items to catch fire in more than 300 house fires per year, according to recent data from the National Fire Protection Association. These fires lead to numerous deaths and injuries, and millions in property damage.

"It is important that families focus of fire safety during this time of year, because of all the little things that can lead to tragedy, such as dried-out Christmas trees and frayed wires in your holiday displays," said Syosset Fire Department Chief Christian Pieper. "Put simply, the risk of household fires increases greatly during the holiday season. To help keep you and your family safe, we strongly urge homeowners to follow our simple safety tips. They're easy to remember, easy to teach to others, and can one day save your life." They include:

Carefully choosing a Christmas tree.

Check a tree for dryness while at the seller's lot - shake the trunk and watch for falling needles. If too many dry needles fall, choose a fresher tree.

Avoid trees with a green tint on the branches or trunk - these trees may have been spray-painted to improve its appearance, and the paint used may not be non-combustible. When in doubt, ASK the seller if he or she sells painted trees.

Have the merchant saw off an inch or two from the trunk of the tree to help keep the tree fresh longer at home; also, if your tree is left outside, placing the trunk in a bucket of water will help keep it fresh.

When disposing of a tree, DO NOT leave it inside a home or building; DO NOT place it against the exterior of a home or building. In both cases, the tree is likely dried out and is a fire hazard.

Being mindful of your holiday decorations and lighting.

When possible, choose decorations made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible materials. Look for these designations on the product's packaging.

Purchase lights and electrical decorations stamped with the name or symbol of an independent testing lab - for example, "UL", or Underwriters' Laboratories - and ALWAYS follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and maintenance.

Carefully inspect new and previously used light strands. Look for frayed cables and replace any damaged or missing bulbs before plugging lights in.

Do not overload extension cords, "power strips" and electrical outlets.

When using power cords to illuminate outdoor displays, ensure that they are designated for EXTERNAL use only - NEVER use power cords that are meant for indoor use.

Turn lights off overnight. If possible, use a timer device to turn your lights off automatically.

Being mindful of holiday candles or candelabras (menorahs, etc.).

Keep lighted candles and candelabras AT LEAST one foot away from any combustible materials. DO NOT place candles anywhere near window curtains, furniture, wrapped gifts or anything else that could easily ignite.

Place candles and candelabras where they cannot be knocked down or tipped/blown over. If possible, keep the candle inside a weighted holder or one with a wide base.

Extinguish a candle BEFORE it burns to within two inches of its holder.

NEVER leave a lighted candle unattended - extinguish a candle BEFORE leaving the room.

Discourage the use of candles in bedrooms and other areas where you may fall asleep.

Store matches and lighters in high places, out of the reach of children, and ideally inside a locked cabinet.

Cooking safely in the kitchen.

NEVER leave ovens, stoves or any other cooking appliance unattended.

Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children, ideally in a locked cabinet.

If you allow smoking inside your home while entertaining guests, provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays and empty them frequently. Remind your guests not to dispose of cigarettes in trash cans. You might also consider asking your guests not to smoke while inside the house.

The Syosset Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1915 and comprises 120 men and women from Syosset and the surrounding communities. The department serves over 14 square miles, making it the largest response area in Nassau County.

For additional fire safety information, contact Fire Prevention Education Officer Ken Johnson at 677-4509. For information about becoming a member of the Syosset Volunteer Fire Department, contact 677-4502 or visit www.syossetfd.org.

For more on the National Fire Protection Association and the NFPA's data on Christmas tree fires, visit www.nfpa.org.