The combination of holiday trappings and the cold weather make this time of year particularly dangerous for house fires.

Christmas trees, candles, strings of lights, wrapping paper, parties – complete with drinking and smoking – and winter necessities like space heaters, fireplaces and woodstoves can turn holiday celebrations into tragic stories of lost life and destroyed homes.

“I’ve been in this business for 35 years, and it’s very rarely that we had a Christmas without a terrible fire,” said state Fire Marshal John Dean.

“As we get into the holiday season, we’re also getting into the heating season,” Dean said. “It’s really a number of issues coming together at the same time.”

According to Dean, it can take as little as 3 minutes for a room to become fully engulfed in flames. “Even the best fire departments in the world aren’t able to respond to a fire within 3 or 4 minutes.”

But there are things that can be done to reduce the chances of a fire and to protect life and property.

The U.S. Fire Administration reports that more than 33 million American homes use natural Christmas trees for decoration. While tree fires are rare – accounting for about 200 fires annually – the federal agency says that each year an average of six people die and 25 others are injured by Christmas tree fires.

The best advice: Water them often.

“Everybody loves a real Christmas tree,” Dean said. “They really do take some care. The important thing is to keep them well-watered and to keep them away from heat sources, and especially open flames.”

While Christmas trees are responsible for only one-tenth of 1 percent of residential fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, overloaded electric outlets and faulty wires are the most common cause of holiday fires.

Dean recommends checking Christmas lights every year to make sure the wiring isn’t cracked or worn. Low-heat and LCD lights, which produce no heat, are safer, he said.

“Lights are cheap enough now that they could be replaced every year,” Dean said.

Candles are another popular holiday decoration that can quickly become a hazard.

Last December, a toddler accidentally knocked over a lighted candle in her Mexico home. Luckily, no one was injured, but a family of four and another man were left homeless on Christmas.

“This time of year people use more candles,” Dean said. “All over the country, people are burning more candles. And, as a result, we’re seeing more candle-related fires.”

Be aware of what can go wrong, Dean said. Make sure candles are on a solid base and aren’t close to curtains or other materials that could catch on fire. “And if you’re leaving the room, they should probably be put out.”

In addition, Dean said, make sure the heating system is regularly serviced and that the right fuel is being used. Install smoke detectors and check their batteries and make sure there’s a fire evacuation plan that’s practiced.

“These are things that can save lives,” he said.