It goes without saying that 2020 is the year folks are going bonkers on decorating yards & homes, because we really can’t do much else.
Public health officials are not recommending trick-or-treating and other common Halloween traditions like haunted houses, parades and large costume parties. But decorations, well that’s another story.
U.S. Electric and Communications encourages smart and safe decorating decisions to avoid electrical and fire accidents. Coloradans are among the 148 million people across the U.S. expected to partake in safe-at-home Halloween-related activities and decorations.
With Colorado already deep into wildfire season, it’s important to make sure we make smart and safe decisions to prevent electrical and fire accidents. People may feel safer in these times decorating their homes and yards for Halloween, but equally important is making sure those decorations are put up with safety top of mind.
Here are a few dos and donts to keep in mind this Halloween:
Halloween Dos:
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Keep highly flammable decorations like cornstalks and ghosts at least three feet away from heat sources like incandescent lightbulbs and space heaters.
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Consider LED lights that generate less heat and are far more efficient.
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Carefully inspect electrical lights and cords, discarding any with broken bulbs or damaged wires.
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Use plastic zip cords when hanging lights instead of staples, tacks and nails.
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Keep electrical cords from high-traffic areas to prevent trips and falls.
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Turn off all electrically powered decorations when leaving home or going to bed.
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Look out for unsafe electrical decorations by using only those bearing the labels of trusted independent safety organizations like Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Intertek or CSA.
Halloween Donts:
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Avoid overloading extension cords. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for use of extension cords and connection of strands of light.
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Never connect two extension cords to extend their length and never place them in pinched positions.
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Never use electrical products outdoors that are marked “for indoor use.”
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Never block escape routes with decorations.
Have a safe and spooky Halloween!
