Matthew Chappell knows the dangers of a burning Christmas tree. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension horticulturist has seen it firsthand.

With a flick of a cigarette, his outdoor Christmas tree was on fire. It was back during his college days at Virginia Tech. And while he still had a 14-foot tree inside his home, the 7-footer went up in smoke, thanks to a careless driver.

While most Georgians won't have to deal with a cigarette-sparked bonfire, following general safety tips will help make Christmas less hazardous.

• Inspect your lights. "If they're frayed and you see insulation or wires, get rid of them," Chappell said.

• Keep trees away from electronics. While it's common knowledge that placing a tree near a fireplace or stove is a bad idea, setting one next to the television is just as dangerous. "Don't place a tree near a TV, PlayStation, Xbox or anything that's hot and has ventilation holes in it," he said. "Needles can fall in the back of these and start a fire."

• Know your needles. "The pecking order for trees that lose their needles the fastest is fir, then pine and then spruce," he said.

• Avoid New Year's bonfires. If you do light your tree on fire, do it well away from structures or forest areas, and have at least one water source available.