Scott Buchanan is setting up an artificial tree in his home this year, for the first time. He expects it will be safer. “The fake ones have to go through certain testing,” he said last week. “All lights and electrical stuff are all tested and up to the standard.” In previous years, Buchanan, a Cortland Fire Department captain, used a potted, living tree for Christmas as a safer alternative. “But they dry out no matter how much you water,” he said. “Look at forest fires: They’re still alive and they burn.” Decking the halls and lighting the Christmas tree brightens up homes for the holidays, but also leads to hundreds of house fires every…