When the folks at The Associated Press asked for a column about holiday safety we were a little reluctant. We had done it before. But when they pointed out that such a column could save lives, we realized that this subject cannot be overdone. In an instant we were on the Internet searching for good advice about safety. Before long we had an overwhelming amount of information on the subject.

There are several detailed sites with lots of safety information. Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics site or the Red Cross.

We found safety information related to trees, lights, decorations and fireplaces. We hope your family will be safer as a result of our discoveries.

Trees
When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when bounced on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Lights
Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and discard damaged sets.

Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).

Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

For added electric shock protection, plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. A qualified electrician can install GFCIs permanently to household circuits.

Decorations
Use only noncombustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use nonflammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.

In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces.

Finally, avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that might tempt a child to eat them.

Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun- glass angel hair. Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

Fireplaces
Use care with fire salts, which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.

Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire might result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely. "The Children's Zone" offered an interesting safety gift idea. They suggest putting together a gift basket containing the following items:

Three smoke detectors and batteries.
A high-quality fire extinguisher.
A flashlight and batteries or light sticks.
A first-aid kit.
A carbon monoxide detector.
A mobile phone.
A second-floor escape ladder.
And an "Emergency kit" - energy bars, water, battery radio, flashlight/light sticks and a first-aid kit packed in a small travel bag.