<p>The Griswold family from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation are holiday icons, but they aren’t fire safety role models.</p><p>The Bargersville Fire Department has a few tips this year to reduce the chances of an as-seen-on-TV holiday fire.</p><p>Many trappings of the holiday season such as scented candles, live Christmas trees and wrapping paper can be fire hazards if not handled correctly, said Mike Pruitt, Bargersville’s deputy fire chief.</p><p>Home decoration fires also increase during the holidays, especially those with candles involved, Pruitt said. Candles cause about 51% of all fires originating from home decorations every December, compared to 32% in all other months, according to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association.</p><p>Live Christmas tree fires are not as common, but a house fire where a dry tree is present in the home would make the fire spread more quickly, Pruitt said. To preserve the life of a live tree — and for safety purposes — it is best to water trees every day without fail, he said.</p><p>After Christmas, live trees should be removed from homes fairly quickly to avoid post-Christmas neglect and an increase in fire risk, Pruitt said.</p><p>Whether indoors or outdoors, the number of items plugged into electrical outlets or extension cords should be limited, to avoid the classic Griswold mistake, Pruitt said.</p><p>Though it is tempting to keep on lights for Santa, it is safer to shut off all Christmas lights before bed, he said.</p><p>After gifts are opened, wrapping paper and boxes should be put in the trash can or recycled, not thrown in the fireplace. The items can give off harsh chemicals when burned and increase the risk of a chimney fire, Pruitt said.</p><p>Cooking fires are a leading cause of house fires at any time of the year, but with distractions increasing during the holiday season, county residents should be especially mindful. Extra caution is especially necessary when cooking with oil, he said.</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="Holiday fire safety tips" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Here is a look at some tips to keep your home fire proof this holiday:</p><p>Water live Christmas trees every day and dispose of them shortly after Christmas Day;</p><p>Don’t burn boxes and wrapping paper in a fireplace;</p><p>Lit candles and space heaters should not be left unattended or placed near flammable objects. Space heaters should be at least three feet from anything flammable;</p><p>Test smoke alarms now to ensure one is working on every floor;</p><p>Don’t overload electrical outlets and unplug lights at bedtime;</p><p>Don’t get distracted in the kitchen, especially when cooking with oil.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
