Christmas decorations are up.

Allenton Fire Chief John Breuer is the president of the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Assocation and told WTKM about the importance of decorating safely.

"We like all of the flickering lights this time of the year. Be careful when you decorate, make sure you have decorations that are flame resistant and in the right environment. Outdoor decorations should be ready for outdoor use."

A Christmas tree should be at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents.

Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Candles need to be in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily.

Light strands that are frayed or pinched wires need to be disposed of. 

Christmas trees need to be watered. A freshly cut tree can absorb about a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter every day during the first week, so trees may need to be watered multiple times a day. If the stand runs dry and the base seals over with sap, the water uptake stops permanently, which can cause needles to fall off.