Authorities said the holidays are one of the most active times of year for house fires in the United States.

Now they are getting the word out about holiday fire safety in North Carolina.

"One of the most important things is, if you get your old lights out or your new lights out and your extension cords, to read the instructions," Lynne Beck of the Guilford County Department of Public Health said.

Beck said one of the biggest mistakes people make is using their decorations improperly.

“[Do] not overload extension cords, do not overload or strand together more lights than you should, because that causes overheating,” Beck said. “That can cause fuses to blow, which can ignite fires."

Beck said to be especially careful with freshly cut Christmas trees. A dry tree is much more flammable than an artificial one, so she recommended keeping the stand filled with water at all times.

And candles, she said, are another cause of concern.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles spark roughly 16,000 fires across the U.S. each year, killing 160 people, injuring nearly 1,500 others, and causing $486 million in property damage each year.

Beck said that although candles are beautiful, people should put safety first.

“You have to think about, one: where am I placing them?” she said. “Do I have pets and children that might be in or around? Are they in a place away from other things, away from your packages?”