RICHMOND—While everyone is busy cooking, decorating and shopping this holiday season, it’s important not to let fire safety sit on the back burner.

Cozy fireplaces, evergreen-scented candles and lights adorning the tree all make for a festive, warm home. But within these holiday season hallmarks lurks the danger of house fires.

“Take the time to ensure that the necessary precautions are in place to prevent fire, and keep your home and family safe during the holidays,” advised Scott DeNoon, vice president of underwriting and policy services for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “This includes testing smoke alarms and practicing your home fire escape plan.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating is one of the leading causes of home fires and home fire injuries, and the third leading cause of home fire deaths. December, January and February are peak months for heating-related fires.

To help prevent fires, perform regular maintenance and inspections of home heating systems. Homeowners with fireplaces and woodstoves should have their chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by certified technicians to ensure there’s no creosote buildup, which can cause chimney fires.

Space heaters account for one-third of heating-related fires and should always be plugged directly into an outlet—don’t use an extension cord—with three feet of room around them.

The NFPA also urges homeowners to be careful when adorning their homes with flickering candles and twinkling lights during the holidays. Almost half of all home decoration fires are caused by candles, with Christmas being the peak day for candle fires.

Always use sturdy candle holders, place candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, and be sure to blow them out when leaving the room or going to bed. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles as a safer alternative.

Replace strings of lights that have worn or broken cords or have loose bulb connections. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the number of light strands to connect, and don’t exceed the limit, NFPA warned.

As for the stately tree in the living room, ensure it’s at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents and space heaters. Almost one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems, so turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Some people leave their Christmas trees up longer than others, and it’s important to remember that trees become more flammable as they dry out. While Christmas tree fires aren’t common, they can grow fast and are likely to be serious.

Media: Contact DeNoon at 804-290-1379.