DENISON, TX - You might not think about it as you're putting up your Christmas trees and lights, but those holiday decorations can also be holiday hazards. With the potential of house fires increased this time of year, fire fighters are asking home owners to take extra precautions.

"Anything you've added to your home for the Christmas season, take a look at it and spend some time thinking is this the safest thing for my house?" said Denison Assistant Fire Chief Bill Ray.

And with the bustle of the season, it's easy to put safety on the back burner. Leaving candles lit and unattended could mean the wax melting and catching surrounding surfaces or fabrics on fire.

"Most people take things for granted, they light a candle and set it on the counter top and don't think about it again and go off and leave it and things change while they're gone," said Ray.

He says they see an increase in house fires this time of year due to electrical shorts, space heaters, stoves and the most common cause - candles.

"Think about things that you’re doing when you have a lit fire in your house; it always has the potential to set something on fire," explained Ray.

Fire burns at 1200°F and that means those small candle wicks do too. If left unattended the small flame could actually pose a big fire threat. So blowing them out could save your life.

"Our parents, they tell us everyday don't forget your candles, don't forget them, because house fires they're very common around here a lot of them due to candles,” said Denison resident Ariel Roan.

Ray says a fire is always a tragedy, especially when it could be avoided by taking some common sense steps like unplugging lights, being aware of when you have an open flame or burner on. Just paying attention to what’s going on in your home could make all the difference.

"Anytime of the year is a bad time for a fire, but especially during Christmas time. There are so many things that are lost in a fire and at Christmas time it's not a joyous time if you lose everything you have in a house fire," said Ray.