Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, many of us will be tossing out our pumpkins and replacing them with lights and garland. The holiday season brings colder weather, but it also means your neighbors’ houses will start looking much brighter. As with everything, though, there are a number of ways to get hurt putting up your festive decorations, and here are a few things to keep in mind to help avoid injury.The first thing many of us do is get a tree to put up. Just remember to keep live trees away from any sources of heat. Some of us might prefer having a live tree, but that means you’re welcoming a fire hazard into your home. The needles and sap are pretty flammable, so that means you’ll want to put your tree away from fireplaces and heaters. It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher near the tree, just in case. You’re going to want to make sure your tree is watered, since that will make it harder to catch fire, so check the water levels every day. When you’re picking out your tree, getting one that’s strong is a good way to reduce risk of fire. Check to make sure the needles don’t easily come off and don’t snap went bent. Finally, if you’re ok with buying artificial trees, check to see if it is fire-resistant. Getting one of these greatly reduces the risk of fire.On another note about fire, once presents are unwrapped, try to avoid burning wrapping paper in the fireplace, especially if it’s open. Paper catches fire easily, and embers can cause flash fires. It’s much safer to recycle or reuse wrapping paper.The next major part of decorating is the lights. Before you start putting them up, be sure to check them for safety. Any frayed wires should be fixed, and any burnt out or broken bulbs should be replaced. You also don’t want to mount your lights in a way that will damage the cords, potential causing fires. Avoid nails and tacks, and try using hooks that won’t risk piercing the cord. Insulated staples are also good. When hanging your lights, it’s better to have someone help you with it. Having someone to make sure cords aren’t tangled and that ladders are sturdy is a huge help in avoiding risks. Finally, make sure to turn off your lights and blow out any candles before going to bed or leaving the house.For ornaments, it’s recommended to buy shatter-proof or unbreakable ones, especially if you have pets or small children. Any fragile ornaments or those with hazardous materials should be hung higher on the tree, out of reach of children. For those hung lower on the tree, you can use ribbon or string to reduce the risk of choking on metal hooks. You’ll also want to avoid decorations that look like food, as children can get hurt if they don’t realize it’s fake. If you’re a fan of poinsettias, keep in mind that these festive flowers are poisonous when eaten, so keep them out of reach of children and pets. With all that in mind, PHN hopes you all have a safe and joyous holiday season!