With Halloween just around the corner, families are starting to think about decorating their homes. While this time of year is supposed to be spooky, it shouldn’t be dangerous. As you decorate your yard with spiderwebs, skeletons, and ghosts, follow these safety tips for Halloween decorating.
Important Safety Tips for Halloween Decorating
Keep the following important safety tips for Halloween decorating in mind:
1. Illuminate Your Home’s Pathway
On Halloween, children will walk to and from your doorstep, so the path to the front door should be illuminated. Before putting up any Halloween decorations, make sure the lighting along the walkway and at the front door is bright enough at night to safely see where you’re going.
As you put up your decorations, monitor how they affect the lighting. If anything is obstructing the light or making it hard to see the pathway, make any necessary adjustments.
2. Eliminate Tripping Hazards
When preparing your home for Halloween, watch out for tripping hazards. Your entire front yard should be free of tripping hazards because kids will be running back and forth from house to house. Everything from tree roots to cords for decorations should be clearly highlighted or moved out of the way to make sure trick-or-treaters don’t fall when they walk up to your home.
3. Don’t Use Open Flames
While it is festive to have a real candle inside a jack-o-lantern, it can also be dangerous. Open flames can start a fire if tipped over or catch a costume on fire. Battery-powered candles that flicker create the same effect as an open flame and don’t pose a fire hazard. These candles are affordable and reusable.
4. Practice Safety When Carving Pumpkins
Be cautious when carving pumpkins. Those new to pumpkin carving can easily make one wrong move with a sharp knife and be injured. One of the smartest safety tips for Halloween decorating is to purchase a pumpkin carving kit. These kits include tools designed specifically for pumpkins that make carving easier and safer.
5. Safety Tips for Halloween Decorating and Extension Cords
If you plug in several decorations for Halloween, you may overload your extension cords. Limit the number of illuminated decorations you set up and make sure the amp rating of your extension cord can safely handle the load. Also, never use indoor rated extension cords outside.
The best tips for Halloween decorating keep your guests safe on your property. However you choose to decorate your home this year, keep these five tips in mind.
Lakeland Home Inspection Service provides home inspections to Central Florida. Contact us to schedule an appointment.