The Christmas season is a time for spreading joy and laughter. It's also a time for going up into the attic and dragging out all the Christmas decorations. As you erect the tree in the corner of your home, be aware that your tree, and the decorations that adorn it, may pose a danger to your pets. The steps below will help you take the necessary precautions to pet proof your Christmas tree.

Step 1: Invest in a solid Christmas tree stand. Naturally, pets might find it odd that there is a large live tree in the living room of your home. They might want to climb it, tip it over, chase around it, etc. If your tree stand is sturdy enough, it should be able to withstand any horseplay.

Step 2: Protect pets from lights. The lights on a tree look beautiful, but the cords that run the electricity to them can be a danger for pets. You can purchase piping to cover the cords that run along the ground to the outlet, or you can staple them to the baseboards for the time being. This will deter pets from chewing or from getting tangled in the cords.

Step 3: Cover the water bowl with a tree skirt. Pets might be tempted to drink from the bowl that is providing water to your tree. In case you have very persistent pets who manage to get into the water, avoid using any fertilizer type treatments in the water.

Step 4: Be careful about where you hang ornaments. Dangling ornaments down low might catch the attention of a curious pet, or become the victim of a wagging tail. If you decide to hang edible ornaments, such as candy canes, make sure they are wrapped and hung up high on the tree.

Step 5: Do not hang tinsel on the tree. Regardless of how pretty you think those icicles might look dancing off the tree ends, they are extremely dangerous to pets. Not only are they choking hazards, it is possible that they would become entangled in a pet's intestines if digested.

Step 6: Presents can pose a problem. Well, it's not actually the presents that are the problem; it's how they're wrapped that poses a problem. Bows and ribbons and colorful paper will attract even the least curious of pets. Swallowing these items poses a definite threat to pets. If you are able to, it might be a good idea to wait to put out the gifts until Christmas day.

Step 7: Be vigilant about the boundaries. Your pet needs to know that it's not okay for him or her to sniff around the tree, ornaments and presents looking for trouble. If you see your pet approaching the tree, give a stern, "No" and then reward your pet for listening. If you find that you're unable to discourage your pet from hovering around the tree, you might need to consider putting a gate around the tree, or crating your pet when unsupervised, until the holiday season is over.