Halloween is a great time of year to decorate your home with all sorts of spooky and creepy things, which can be especially fun if you have young children in your household! However, not all decorations are safe, so it’s important to do your research before you start adding Halloween items to your home. Be sure to consider these Halloween decorating safety tips before you start your holiday decorating this year.
Use items that are non-toxic
In order to make your Halloween decorations safe, it's important that you use items that are non-toxic. Traditional decorations, such as spiders or cotton balls with fake blood, can be harmful if they're ingested by someone. This is especially true for children, who may not know the difference between a toy and a decoration. It's better to stick with materials like felt or cotton batting that look similar but won't cause any harm. If you do want to include some traditional objects, just put them in a location where there is no risk of someone ingesting them.
Keep decorations away from pets
It's important for pet owners to be careful about their pets when decorating for Halloween. Keep decorations away from your pets and never let them play with or chew on any of the items, even if they appear harmless. Look out for ribbons and wires that could get wrapped around an animal's neck. If you see anything dangling in a place where your pet can reach it, take it down! If you want to be more cautious with your pets, you might want to just keep them inside your house where they can't access your Halloween decorations on your porch.
Don’t use fire in your decor
It is tempting to use fire in your decor, but you should avoid this at all costs. Besides the obvious risk of starting a fire, using candles or other open flames in your home while you have little ones running around can be very dangerous. Keep any and all sources of heat away from where children are playing, and don’t ever leave a lit candle unattended, even if it’s just for a moment.
Don’t overload extension cords
The last thing you want is for your decorations to cause a fire! Extension cords are often overloaded during the holiday season when decorating. It’s important not to overload extension cords so that they can stay cool and out of danger. Extension cords should only be temporary; long-term use may be unsafe. If they're plugged in and constantly being moved, this can cause them to overheat and eventually lead to a fire. They are not meant for permanent power supply options. If you have any concern about the cord's performance, unplug it immediately and call an electrician.
Use child-proof products
Always read the labels on packaging before purchasing any decorations to ensure they are appropriate for you or your child. The best way to make sure your Halloween decorations are safe for your kids is by using child-proof products. These are designed specifically for children and will help prevent them from getting into things they shouldn't. They're also much more affordable than many other options.
Put away sharp objects
Be sure to put away all sharp objects that could easily be tripped on or stepped on. This includes items like scissors and knives, which can cause serious injury if they're left out. This might sound like an overstatement or obvious, but use only fake items if the inspiration for your Halloween costume originally comes with sharp items in real life, such as knives and scissors.
Clear walkways
A good rule of thumb is not to block any walkways or entrances. This includes sidewalks, doorways, hallways, stairwells, windows, and fire escapes. Walkways should be at least three feet wide, and the pathway should remain clear in the event of an emergency. Do not use any cords or wires on the ground that could potentially trip someone up. Electrical cords can also pose a risk for anyone who may have a pacemaker or heart condition. If you must decorate with lights, use LED lights and make sure they are either attached securely to something sturdy like a tree branch or wall outlet, are high enough off the ground so as not to touch them if people bump into them, and keep lights away from any water sources such as sinks and pools.
Keep your vent unobstructed
Vents are essential to maintaining proper airflow. They need to be opened in order to let the air freely circulate. A blocked vent or register could cause poor airflow and higher energy costs if your system is blocked with fake spider webs or other Halloween decorations.
Use safety-approved decorative lighting
The National Fire Protection Association recommends the following safety-approved decorative lighting:
LED lights do not contain any mercury, are cool to the touch, and last up to 100 times longer than traditional incandescent lights.
Light strands should have a spacing of at least 1/2 inch between bulbs and be no more than 10 feet in length.
Light strands should be plugged into a UL listed outdoor timer, which should be set to turn off after 8 hours or less of operation.
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