Christmas is supposed to be a happy time. But Bee County Fire Marshal Ken Orrell warns that it is often a time of loss and sorrow in South Texas when people’s homes go up in flames.

There are a number of reasons that fires tend to be more prevalent during the Christmas season and most of them are related to bringing trees inside and connecting electricity to them.

Orrell offered the following tips for Christmas tree safety from the Children’s Safety Zone:

•A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground.

•Cut an inch off the trunk to help it absorb water.

•Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate.

•The stand should hold at least one gallon of water.

•A six-foot tree will use one gallon of water every two days.

•Mix a commercial preservative with the water.

•Check the water level every day.

•Secure the tree with wire to keep it from tipping.

•Keep trees away from floor heaters, fireplaces or other heat sources.

•Use only UL-listed lights and no more than three strands should be linked together.

•Use miniature lights which have cool-burning bulbs.

•Turn off Christmas lights when you sleep or if you leave your home for very long.

•Never use candles, even on an artificial tree.

•Clean the tree stand to improve the tree’s water intake. Use one capful of bleach to a cup of water.

•Dispose of the three properly.

•Never, ever burn a real tree in the fireplace.

The Children’s Safety Zone also had some tips for home safety, like installing a smoke detector and checking the batteries in ones already in place. Using outdoor lights outdoors and examining each string of lights used this year to weed out any that have worn cords or other problems was another concern.

Outside bulbs should be turned down to avoid moisture build up in them.

No more than three strands of lights should ever be connected together and indoor extension cords should never be used outside.

Electrical wall outlets and extension cords should not be overloaded and all electrical connectors should always be kept above ground and out of puddles or snow.

Light strings should be unplugged before bulbs are changed and packages should be checked to verify proper wattage and voltage.

Connections between light strands should be wrapped in plastic bags and the ends should be tied with teflon tape.

Lights should not be used on metallic trees and trees with lights should not be touching power lines.

Candles, when used, should always be kept a safe distance from combustible items and doused when people go to bed. They should also be placed in sturdy containers.

Fireplace ashes should be kept in a metal container until they have cooled and sofas, chairs and other furniture should be checked for smoldering cigarettes after a party.

At least one carbon monoxide detector should be in place in every home and fire extinguishers should always be readily available.

Fire prevention items also make good Christmas gifts for family and friends. That includes smoke detectors and batteries, quality fire extinguishers, flashlights and batteries or light sticks, first aid kits, carbon monoxide detectors, a mobile phone, a second floor escape ladder or an emergency kit with energy bars, water, battery radio, flashlight and a first aid kit in a small travel bag.