The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service wants you to have a safe holiday season by making sure your lights and decorations don't pose a fire hazard.

The service has issued these six tips for safe holiday lighting:

Always use Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved holiday lights. Check the bulbs, sockets, wires and plugs on your lights to ensure that nothing is cracked, broken or exposed. Replace any missing bulbs and be careful not to bypass a fuse.

Do not overload electric outlets. Do not link more than three light strands unless the directions say it is safe to do so. Connect light strings to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.

Check the wires from your lights once in a while — they should not be warm to the touch.

Do not use lights on metallic trees. A faulty system could energize the tree and shock or electrocute anyone who comes into contact with it.

Make sure to turn off all interior and exterior Christmas lights before going to sleep and whenever you are leaving your home.

Use only non-flammable or flame-retardant decorations, and make sure to place decorations away from heat vents and fireplaces.

The fire paramedic service also has tips to prevent Christmas tree fires.