Christmas trees might be a thing of delight during the silly season, but they can also prove deadly, firefighters are warning.

Key points: Festive lights should be plugged into power boards with overload cut-outs

Festive lights should be plugged into power boards with overload cut-outs Do not recharge batteries on soft furnishing like beds or cushions

Do not recharge batteries on soft furnishing like beds or cushions Make sure gifts meet Australian standards

Adelaide's Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) have released a video showing how quickly a Christmas tree can become engulfed in flames after a small fire starts at its base.

Within a minute the flames dance up into the branches of the tree and smoke starts to bellow.

In another 30 seconds the entire tree is on fire.

MFS Commander Phil Crossley said it was important that people followed simple electrical safety tips to reduce the risk of fire.

"When decorating a home with festive lights, if more than one item requires power it is important to use a power board with an overload cut-out feature rather than using double adaptors," he said.

He also said people should make sure transformers on Christmas tree lights had adequate ventilation.

"To avoid potential fire risks, it's important that transformers are placed on a hard, non-combustible surface, away from flammable materials including presents.

"Overloaded electrical circuits, faulty or misused electrical equipment pose a serious fire risk during the festive season."

The MFS said there were at least 22 fires connected to overloaded power boards in the Adelaide metropolitan area this year.

Recharge battery when device has cooled

While it is also the season for decorating the house and tree with lights, it is also the season for giving toys and other electrical gadgets.

The MFS said people should make sure any gifts bought online complied with Australian standards.

Mr Crossley advised consumers to recharge batteries for remote control drones or cars and computer tablets when the devices had cooled down and not place them on soft furnishings.

"Once the device is fully charged, disconnect charging cables," he said.

"Extended charging can cause degradation to the battery and increase the risk of overheating."

He said early detection of potential fire risks like damaged cables or cords could be lifesaving.

In 2016, a family had a lucky escape after a hoverboard caught fire and nearly burnt their home in Melbourne's north-west to the ground.

The damage to a home in Strathmore, Melbourne, after a hoverboard caught fire. ( Peter Lusted )

The hoverboard was plugged into a wall and charging in a bedroom of the Strathmore house when it ignited.

At the time the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) said the rear of the home was severely damaged, while the rest of the building and its contents also suffered water and smoke damage.

It prompted a mandatory standard for hoverboards being introduced in July 2016.