Six Safety Tips for Decorating for Halloween
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Fall is just around the corner, which means it's time to start thinking about your holiday decoration plans. Before you pull your Halloween decorations out of the garage, however, make sure you're decorating with safety in mind.
Here are some tips on how to do it safely.
Prepare for Your Safety
As you prepare your decorations, don't forget to think about your safety. Here are a few tips.
- If you're planning on hanging lights or other decorations from your home, make sure you have a sturdy ladder that is the right height and someone to hold it while you work.
- Think about getting a tool belt or bucket to help you carry items around. That way, your hands are free for climbing and working.
- Finally, check the weather and time of day. If it's going to be very windy or rainy, or dark, hold off decorating until the weather clears and you don't have to worry about an increased risk of falling.
Check Your Lighting
Halloween is a spooky time of year, so you might want to keep your lights off to add a haunted or scary atmosphere. However, you still want to make sure your home is inviting and easy for you to move around. That way, you can avoid any potential accidents or injuries.
- Keep some lights on in your home so you can easily maneuver to the door or refill your candy basket. It can also help visitors see they are welcome to trick or treat at your home.
- A well-lit walkway and porch can help prevent any kids or adults from slipping, tripping, or falling on the way to or from your door.
While you're preparing your Halloween lighting, it's a good time to kick off your fall maintenance checklist by checking your outdoor lights and sockets that everything is in good working order. For any lighting you're hanging on your home, try to opt for LED lighting. These bulbs produce very low heat, so there's less risk of a potential fire hazard.
Clear Walkways
Depending on where you live, Halloween might be warm, rainy, or snowing. So you want to make sure every walking path, including your sidewalks, walkways, and driveway, is clear for visitors.
Slips and falls are some of the most common issues homeowners face, so spending a little extra time making sure the area is clear can help. Sweep up any wet or dry leaves, so you don't need to worry about a slipping hazard.
Secure Your Inflatables
If you use inflatable decorations for the holidays, the last thing you want is to have them blowing down the street. Make sure they are fully secured. Although most inflatables come with stakes, don't hesitate to add some extra weight, including tying them down with twine or adding small bags of sand around the edges.
Also, when installing inflatables, ensure you have plenty of space and clearance in your yard; you don't want people bumping into them.
Avoid Open Flames
Fire is a major safety hazard you want to avoid at all costs. For example, a pumpkin or lantern with a lit candle inside it can get tipped over relatively easily and start a fire, potentially causing damage to your home, or worse, injuring someone.
The good news is that there are various weather-safe outdoor lighting options you can use for your decorations, including battery and solar-operated candles and lights. Use these in any decorations on the ground or near walkways to stay safe and provide extra lighting.
Keep Your Pets Indoors
While you might have the friendliest dog on the planet who adores kids, having your pets out loose and running around the yard might cause a hazard, especially in the dark.
Your best bet is to keep your pets indoors while you have visitors trick or treating. If you plan to stay outside and greet your visitors, consider keeping your dog on a secure short leash. That way, you don't have to worry about them accidentally knocking someone over.
As a homeowner, you have to worry about the safety of everyone who visits your home. So the quality of your coverage matters.
Reach out to your local trustedchoice.com agent to learn more about your insurance options. They're here to support you, answer questions, and ensure that you get the best coverage for your needs. If you don't have one, you can find an independent insurance agent today.