Tree farmers have something to sing about this season as more folks opt for real green. Frasier firs, white pines, blue spruces and other evergreens are being decked out across the country. The Consumer Product Safety Commission would like to remind homeowners to take special care with their live trees because holiday trees are involved in hundreds of fires each year resulting in an average of 15 deaths and $13 million dollars in property damage.

Typically shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Here's what to do:

• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from heat sources such as fireplaces, vents and radiators. Because heated rooms dry out live trees rapidly, be sure to monitor water levels and keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and do not block doorways.
• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Never use lit candles to decorate the tree. Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed..
• If you opt for an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree is more resistant to catching fire.

Photo: Courtesy of Tien Mao