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CHARLOTTE — The Christmas lights and trees are appearing around town and fire officials are getting the word out about holiday fire safety tips to keep people safe this season.

Officials said it is important to inspect decorations as people pull them back out and put them up. It is also important to make sure not to overload sockets with lights or appliances. Officials say after a busy day or a holiday party, people should always remember to go through the entire house and turn off and unplug the lights and tree before going to bed or leaving the house.

"Part of the concern that we see during the holiday season is also the use of candles. And candles, if they're burning for a short period of time are okay, but if you're going to use candles as decorations, you've got to make sure that it's only on a temporary use and go throughout the house or the apartment and make sure they're all extinguished," said Capt. Rob Brisley of the Charlotte Fire Department.

Kitchen and chimney fires are also common this time of year. Brisley recommends people should closely monitoring cooking and appliances and to have a chimney sweep inspect the fireplace.