It is important to stay safe when decorating your home this holiday season.

Along with being careful on ladders, people are urged to check any string lights or extension cords when taking them out of storage – before hanging them on a tree or rooftop.

People should not use any decorations with exposed wires. Also, avoid plugging in too many things into one outlet, so you don’t create a fire hazard. When it doubt, leave it to the professionals.

“Climbing on the roof is really not such a good idea, It’s cold. It might be icy. It’s windy,” said Dr. Thomas Waters, an emergency medicine physician. “I always recommended that for those very high up decorations, that’s something that should be left to the professionals,” said Dr. Thomas Waters, an emergency medicine physician.

Homes with small children should avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable or trimmings that resemble candy or food.