The Christmas season brings the hustle and bustle of shopping and gatherings with family and friends, but also an increased likelihood of home fires and other household dangers, and the Northville Township Fire Department is offering tips to help residents stay safe.

Christmas trees, especially real cut trees, can pose a fire hazard if not selected, decorated and cared for property, Christmas-tree fires, though not common, tend to be more serious, according to then U.S. Fire Administration, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, the nation's fire departments responded to an average of 210 home fires that started with Christmas trees each year between 2010 and 2014. Each year, those fires together caused an average of six deaths, 16 injuries, and $16.2 million in direct property damage.

In order to safely enjoy a Christmas tree in the home:

• Choose a freshly cut tree.

• Keep it watered regularly.

• Use only tree lights that have the approval of a recognized testing agency, like Underwriters Laboratories.

• Always turn off tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed.

• Dry trees ignite quickly and burn fast, so remove them from your home right after Christmas.

The winter season also warrants making sure there are working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the home. The falling temperatures lead to the increased use of furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces, all common causes of fires and carbon monoxide emergencies.

Having carbon monoxide alarms in the home is a must. Working alarms will sound to alert a home's occupants when dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are present, and will give people time to seek fresh air and call 911.

Remember also to clean the clothes dryer, water heater and furnace vents regularly and have those appliances serviced by qualified professionals. Also, make sure fireplaces are working properly, as they are one of the leading sources of hazardous carbon monoxide levels.

Prepare for the upcoming season by following this checklist:

• Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, in the hallway outside each room and on every floor.

• Install a carbon monoxide alarm on every floor of the home.

• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years old or older.

• Change the batteries in both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least every year.

• Develop and practice a home emergency escape plan.

• Clean the oven before prepping big holiday meals.

• Keep the Christmas tree watered and away from open flames.

• Don’t overload electrical outlets or power strips.

• Keep candles away from anything that can burn, including holiday decorations.

• Keep portable heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Use only UL-listed heaters and those with tip-over protection.

• Have the chimney cleaned and inspected before it’s used, and also periodically throughout the year. Creosote buildup is the leading cause of chimney fires.

• Have the furnace inspected and serviced annually.

• Clean the dryer, water heater and furnace vents regularly. Animals may seek refuge in the warm vents and cause carbon monoxide and fire incidents.

The department also asks that residents assist others who may not be able to clear the snow from sidewalks, driveways and around fire hydrants.

As Advanced Life Support providers, Northville Township’s firefighter-paramedics know that every second counts in both fire and medical emergencies, so please make sure that your home is accessible at all times.

Call the fire department at 248-348-5807, or visit www.northvillemich.com/fire, for more information.