'Tis the season for shopping, caroling, hanging lights and -- thanks to poor care given to Christmas trees -- house fires.

To paraphrase Smokey Bear, only you can prevent Christmas tree fires.

Before heading to your neighborhood tree lot for this year's tree, horticulturists say there are a few things you should watch out for to make sure your tree is the best it can be.

Experts say the most important factor is freshness. Typically, tree farms have the freshest trees. If you're buying a tree from a lot, there are a few things to make sure your tree is fresh.

One way to check freshness is with the crunch test.

"You want to grab the limb and twist and look at it," horticulturist John Fech said. If the needles crunch and fall off, you should move to another tree.

The trunk is sticky with resin, and the tree should not lose many needles when bounced on the ground.

"Grab the butt end and make sure it's sticky. That's a good sign it's a fresh tree," Fech said.

Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. "When was this cut? How long has it been in cold storage?" Fech said.

Before taking the tree home, give it a good shake. That will loosen any weak branches and dust.

Once you have the tree home, keep it away from cold drafts and heaters. Always make sure the tree has plenty of water.

"If it gets brittle, you might want to look at getting rid of it, that becomes a fire hazard," Fech said.

Here are some more tips to keep your tree flame-free:

• Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over and be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. And to keep the water level at least 2 inches above the cut, said Lt. Mark Wiggins, of the Albuquerque, N.M., Fire Department.
• Carefully plan where your tree will be positioned. Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any source of heat (radiators, fireplace, etc.), place it out of the way of foot traffic and do not block doorways.
• Use thin guy-wires to secure a large tree to walls or ceiling. These wires are almost invisible.
• Use only non-combustible 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.
• 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 is more resistant to burning.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree, and never use lighted candles to decorate a tree.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are very dangerous and should not be left in a garage or placed against the house.