The lights and greenery of Christmas time are traditional symbols of the season, but can create hazards if fire safety isn’t on the holiday checklist.

Jim Walker, Oregon State Fire Marshal, urges people to be careful when decorating and entertaining, as the holiday season gets underway.

His office notes that from 2008 through 2012, Oregon fires related to Christmas trees and decorations resulting in 107 fires, one death and more than $2.3 million in property loss. Candle-related fires during the same period caused even more damage. From 2008 through 2012, there were 325 candle-related fires in Oregon causing four deaths, 49 injuries, and more than $9.3 million in property loss.

Here’s a look at some simple tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

• Choose a fresh, healthy tree with a deep-green color and flexible needles.

• When you get the tree home, cut off the bottom two inches of the trunk. This creates a fresh, raw cut for the tree to soak up water.

• Water your tree daily. A tree may consume between a quart and a gallon of water per day.

• Place the tree at least three feet away from any heat source such as a fireplace, woodstove, space heater, heating vent, or radiator.

• Keep lighted candles away from the tree.

• Use only noncombustible or flame resistant materials to trim a tree.

• Always unplug tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

• If using a woodstove or fireplace, keep it screened at all times. Keep ribbons, boughs, and other decorative materials at least three feet away.

• After the holiday season or whenever your tree dries out promptly dispose of it and other dry greenery. Burning a tree in a stove or fireplace is extremely dangerous; proper disposal includes recycling or pick-up by a disposal service.

• Maintain your holiday lights. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, and broken or cracked sockets.

• Do not overload electrical sockets. Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.

• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look and smell like real candles.

• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Extinguish candles when you go to bed, leave a room, or before leaving the house.

• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Keep candles at least one foot from combustibles including clothing, curtains, upholstered furniture, greenery, and decorations.

• Always use a sturdy non-combustible (metal, glass, or ceramic) candleholder. If a sturdy non-combustible candle holder is not available, the candle can be placed on a non-combustible plate.

• Place candles out of reach of small children and pets.

• Avoid candles with items embedded in them such as twigs, flowers, or leaves. These items can ignite or even explode.

• Always use a flashlight – not a candle – for emergency lighting.

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in each bedroom.

• Make a home fire escape plan and practice it with the whole family.

• Keep escape routes clear of clutter so you can escape quickly in case of fire.