Halloween is Saturday, October 31, and many of us are already pulling out the lights, inflatables, cobwebs, and pumpkins.
Decorating is fun, but it also adds extra cords, bulbs, and props around your home. A few quick maintenance checks can keep your decorations from becoming a safety problem.
Before you plug anything in, look it over.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions for each product, since limits vary.
Candles inside carved pumpkins add atmosphere, but flames and flammable decorations do not mix. Battery-powered LED candles give you the same glow without the risk.
This is also a good idea in Southern California, where warm, dry conditions are common.
Fake cobwebs, paper decorations, and fabric props can burn easily. Keep them away from candles, bulbs that get hot, heaters, fireplaces, and grills.
Do not hang decorations over or near light fixtures that run hot.
Windy days can send lightweight decorations flying. Anchor inflatables with the stakes or tie-downs that come with them. Make sure tall props cannot tip over onto the walkway.
Decorations should never block your front door, garage, or any exit. Keep cords from crossing the walkway, and leave plenty of room for trick-or-treaters. For more, see our post on keeping your home hazard free at Halloween.
Decoration season is a good reminder to test your smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed. For more on fire safety, read 7 Steps You Can Take Today to Help Prevent a House Fire and our Holiday Fire Safety Tips.
Halloween decorations often go up in a hurry. In Southern California, warm, dry conditions and windy days make a few extra checks worthwhile, especially around lights, cords, and anything that could burn.
Taking ten minutes now, before everything is plugged in and staked down, is much easier than fixing a problem on Halloween night.
If outdoor outlets do not work, trip a breaker, or you see signs of damaged wiring, call a licensed electrician. Do not try to fix electrical problems unless you are qualified.
Prices vary, so ask for a written estimate.
A few minutes of checking cords, swapping candles for LEDs, and anchoring your props can help keep your Halloween fun and safe.
Buena Park families can also get a free Halloween Night Survival Kit from CARE Group. For more seasonal advice, browse our home maintenance tips.
Inspect lights and cords for damage, use outdoor-rated products outside, avoid overloading outlets, use LED candles instead of open flames, and keep decorations away from heat.
LED candles do not use an open flame, so they remove the risk of a flame touching flammable decorations.
Use the stakes or tie-downs that come with them, and anchor tall props so they cannot tip over.
Call a licensed electrician if outdoor outlets do not work, keep tripping a breaker, or you see damaged wiring.
If you’re thinking about selling and want to know how your home should be positioned in today’s market, I’d be happy to help.
Please fill out the form below and we will be contacting you shortly
with information about your home.
