Winter brings an increased risk for fires and other disasters. While everyone is busy gathering with friends and family this time of year, it's easy to overlook some simple safety measures that can reduce the risk of damage during the holidays.

Here are the top 3 fire risks, in no particular order:

The Fireplace

There's nothing like a roaring fire to take the edge off of a chilly winter's evening, but there are some precautions to take before, during and after you build the fire.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends having the chimney cleaned once a year to remove soot and other debris. The chimney sweep can also do a cursory inspection to look for loose mortar and bricks, cracks in the chimney liner and any other possible problems like missing chimney caps. The caps help to keep debris, birds and other animals out of the chimney.

Clean the ashes out of the fireplace so that air can circulate around the wood. It's best to clean it out after there hasn't been a fire in the fireplace for a few days. Don't put live embers into anything other than a metal can to reduce the risk of fire, and dispose of them outside and away from the house in case any of the embers are still live. Failing to properly dispose of ashes can have tragic consequences.

Make sure to burn only seasoned hard woods, and don't build too big of a fire. As nice as they are, the intense heat from a roaring fire can also cause cracks to form in your chimney. Make sure you have a screen, spark guard or doors in place to keep errant cinders from flying out and place a fireproof rug in front of the fireplace in case any embers do escape.

The Kitchen

Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and injuries? Since we spend a lot more time indoors during the winter, the kitchen becomes a hub of activity even more so than usual. According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, 75% of range fires are started by food ignitions, and 43% start with fish or meat.

To reduce the risk of fire, stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. Never leave pans unattended on the stove and always keep a lid close by to smother out any small grease fires. A full 63% of stove fires start when someone is frying food. If a fire does flare up, place the lid over the pan and turn off the heat. When simmering a pot on a low heat, check frequently to make sure it doesn't boil over or that the contents don't burn.

Should an oven fire ignite, keep the door closed and turn off of the oven. Once the fire is out, open the door and carefully dispose of the charred remains.

Keep towels (paper and cloth) away from open flames and keep a fire extinguisher close by in case of a fire.

The Decorations

Millions of Christmas lights are used throughout the holidays. Lights should be appropriate for their use – outdoor lights for use outdoors and indoor-rated lights for indoors – and they should be rated by an independent testing laboratory for their intended use. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends checking strands for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections. When stringing lights together, never use more than three strands per extension cord, and when leaving the premises or going to bed make sure to turn off all lights. Keep live trees well watered so they don't dry out and become a fire hazard for electric lights.

Lights should not be used on a metallic tree because it could become charged with electricity from faulty lights and accidently electrocute someone if it is touched.

Homeowners should also be aware that some decorations can cause liability claims. Blow-up items that need to be anchored onto the lawn can become trip and fall hazards for guests. Make sure to keep the front door and walkways well lit and free of anything that could cause visitors to fall.

One-fifth of the fires started in December are caused by decorations that are too close to heat sources. Keep decorations away from open flames or electrical outlets and plugs. Move stockings away from the fireplace before lighting a fire.

Using candles in decorations can make them a fire hazard. When using real candles, do not leave them unattended or where they can be easily knocked over; be especially cautious around curtains, wrapping paper and flammable decorations. Consider battery operated candles as a safer alternative, especially around evergreens or a tree.

The holidays are a busy time with lots of activities, but a few practical steps can help to prevent some of the common causes of fires and keep the focus where it should be – on friends and family and the real reason for the season.

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Here's what you need to know about fire safety during the holidays

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