In the coming months, many will want to celebrate the holiday season by lighting a scented candle.

According to the National Candle Association, approximately 35 percent of candle sales occur during the holiday season, offering hundreds of exquisite fragrances such as Frasier fir, Christmas tree, crackling ginger pumpkin, mistletoe and of course, Christmas cookie.

They may be pretty to look at and smell nice, but candles can cause home fires if not handled appropriately.

The National Fire Protection Association states that on average, 25 homes catch fire per day due to candles.

To avoid a holiday season tragedy, a few safety precautions should be practiced.

First, always keep lit candles in sight.

If you accidentally place the candle next to a combustible object, a fire can occur and spread quickly.

Also, make sure the candle is on a flat surface and away from children and pets.

Second, trim the candlewick periodically. Long or crooked wicks cause uneven burning and excessive dripping of wax. And of course, do not trim a hot candlewick.

Third, avoid putting candles next to decorations. This mistake should be avoided when decorating a home for the holidays.

Candles look great with garlands and ribbons, but almost every decoration is flammable and can easily catch fire if a lit candle is nearby.

Finally, if a candle is not burning properly, put it out and allow it to cool before trimming the wick and then check for drafts before relighting the candle.

Signs of a candle burning improperly are large amounts of smoke, flickers, or a large flame.

During this holiday season, I hope everyone keeps their families safe, while making your homes festive.