Deck your halls safely, tips from Pueblo firefighters and the American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - The holiday season is in full swing; a wonderful time to get everyone together and deck the halls. Unfortunately, this time of year also puts a greater risk of a house fire. 

The American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado warns December is peak time for home fires, so they’re urging everyone to stay safe by following steps to avoid a home fire.

In collaboration with the Pueblo Fire Department, the American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado conducted a Christmas tree safety demonstration on Tuesday afternoon.

Crews from the Pueblo Fire Department say fresh-cut trees, that are dry, burn up to 10-times quicker than artificial trees.

That's why they say it's important to keep a fresh tree watered and to keep any tree about three feet away from any heat source.

“It is important to make sure that people are aware that home fires are the number one disaster in America. 5 out of 6 homes don’t have working smoke alarms, so it's incredibly important to make sure you check those smoke alarms. If they are at least ten years or older, you want to make sure and replace those,” Phil Martinez, Executive Director of American Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado, says.

For artificial tree pickers, fire crews say to opt for ones that have a fire-resistant label.

They also say to check holiday light cords regularly and keep candles out of reach from trees, pets or children.

When it's time to discard of your Christmas tree, fire crews say to store them outside your home or find local resources to dispose of them properly.