We feel like little kids when we decorate the front yard for Halloween. But there are real dangers lurking around all those cobwebs and flying bats. It’s important to be aware of Halloween decorating safety tips that can help you reduce those dangers.
If you plan on having trick-or-treaters come through your yard to the front door you need to look at everything from a small child’s point of few. When they run up to the door on Halloween night will they see the electrical cord from the talking skeleton lying by the sidewalk? Will they notice the real candle burning in the pumpkin that is sitting right next to the door? Will they make sure their vampire cape or princess robe doesn’t come close to it or will they only think about getting the candy into their bag?
If you have electrical decorations make sure the cords are secure and not where anyone can trip over them. Children don’t always use the sidewalks so don’t leave those cords lying anywhere in the path of those little feet.
Use the battery operated candles in any pumpkins or other decorations that are on the pathway to your door or on the porch near the door. Real candles should only be used where children won’t be coming near them and you can keep an eye on the decoration/pumpkin with the candle. It’s up to you to think about the dangers before you light those candles.
If you use colored lights in your front yard you need to make sure they are bright enough for good visibility on the path to your door. Be sure all your decorations are set away from the main walking path. You don’t want any child to be tripping over them.
Those cobwebs and bats flying out of nowhere as the children come up to your porch may seem like fun to you but they can be very frightening to some children. They may run away screaming. That’s where you need to make sure there are not obstacles in their path. It’s best to keep most if not all your decorations in areas of the yard that children would not cut through.
If you are having a party inside your home Halloween decorating needs to follow similar tips. Fire is the number one safety issue with home decorations. Candles are used a lot and without proper precautions fires can occur.
Many decorations are made of dried flowers, cornstalks, crepe paper, and flammable fabrics. These kinds of materials need to be kept away from any candles or other open flames such as fireplaces. They also need to be kept away from other heat sources such as electric light bulbs, heaters, tops of TV’s, computers, or other electronic equipment that becomes hot to the touch. This also includes outdoor lights.
When setting up your Halloween decorations inside ask yourself these questions.
1. Will these candles, when lit, be in a place where someone might bump into them?
2. Are the wires for the talking skeleton safely taped down or behind furniture?
3. Can that cobweb draping the steps cause someone to trip and fall?
4. Are all exits (doors and/or windows) clear of decorations so they can be used in case of fire?
Use these simple Halloween decorating safety tips to help make the difference between a happy Halloween and a disastrous one.