Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – As things get busier leading into Christmas, it’s still important to make sure that you limit the risks for fires breaking out in your home.

“Simple safety steps can prevent devastating injuries,” said Phil Zaleski, executive director of “Camp I Am Me” — a project of the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, at a news conference earlier this month in Springfield.  “Taking just a few minutes to water your (Christmas) tree daily, inspect lights for damage, keep open flames away from decorations, and unplugging displays when you’re not home can make all the difference.”

Some other tips include not overloading outlet strips or extension cords, and keeping space heaters at least three feet away from potential flammable materials is also a good idea.  That’s partially because so many items in your home are now made from oil or petroleum-based products that catch fire a lot quicker than furniture of “the old days.”

“In the past, it would be about 20 to 30 minutes that you had to get out (of your home during a fire), because natural furnishings — things like cotton and wool and wood — that made all the materials in your home,” said Eric Hofer, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board.  “Now, we’re dealing with petroleum-based plastics that are significantly faster-burning, much more toxic burning — so you’re seeing much more toxic black smoke.”

The time you have to get out of your home safely when fire breaks out is now closer to two or three minutes, said Hofer.

Other fire officials say tree watering is one of the most important things, and make sure even artificial trees are away from fire risks, as the materials in those can cause a big fire as well.