How can I avoid fire hazards associated with the holidays?

"Ask the Realtor" is a weekly column from the 3,000+ member RealSource Association of Realtors.

Q: With the holidays upon us, are there ways to keep my home safe from potential lighting and fireplace accidents?

Jim F.

Cliffside Park

A: Great question Jim. Each year, tens of thousands of families and individuals incur property loss or injure themselves during the holiday season. Unfortunately, despite increased awareness and safer products, the number of injuries and accidents are increasing. Christmas tree fires, candles left lit, and the installation of wiring for outdoor and indoor holiday lights are the main culprits. That said; here are a few tips: 1) Make certain live trees are still alive and water them frequently. A fresh tree has resin at its bottom and needles that not only do not come off when a hand runs through them but are hard to tear off their branches. Artificial trees, on the other hand, should be flame retardant and kept far away from fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. 2) Lighting should be Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved. Plus, be reasonable how they are hung on the home or holiday decorations. Dont over-exert or over-reach boundaries. Eliminate the risk of falling and serious injury. 3) Fireplaces can be warm and a great place to gather the family. To ensure their safekeeping, do not use "fire salts" to turn the flame colors as the chemicals inside them, if ingested, can be harmful. Do not burn newspapers or gift wrapping either. These burn quickly and with intensity.

Q: What does location, location, location really mean?

Kathy B.

Fair Lawn

A: Kathy, whether it is financial, social or economical, the reasons are many but most center on the community in which the home is located. According to a new survey from the National Association of Realtors, choosing a community is one of the most important factors for consumers as they consider buying home. The 2013 Community Preference Survey also noted that Americans prefer walk-able, mixed-use neighborhoods and shorter commutes rather than neighborhoods that require more driving between home, work and recreation. The survey findings indicate that while the size of the property does matter to consumers, they are willing to compromise size for a preferred neighborhood and less commuting. For example, although 52 percent of those surveyed prefer a single-family detached house with a large yard, 78 percent responded that the neighborhood is more important to them than the size of the house. Fifty-seven percent would forego a home with a larger yard if it meant a shorter commute to work, and 55 percent of respondents were willing to forego a home with a larger yard if it meant they could live within walking distance of schools, stores and restaurants as opposed to having a larger yard and needing to drive to get to schools, stores and restaurants.

Q: Is it true that the government is considering a drop in the amount of mortgagee money it will guarantee through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

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How can I avoid fire hazards associated with the holidays?