A show-stopping Halloween yard display can quickly become a costly liability when bad weather rolls in. With a very strong El Niño still bringing wetter-than-average conditions this fall, especially to the Gulf Coast and Southeast, homeowners should think twice about how they decorate.
Hurricane Isaias, which hit the Gulf with heavy rain and strong winds this month, is already a reminder of what’s possible.
Most outdoor decor is built for calm, dry nights. In high winds, inflatables act like sails, and if they aren’t anchored well, they can break loose and cause head or neck injuries. Rain adds another danger: wet outdoor cords and electrical decorations can cause burns or even lasting nerve damage.
Falls remain the most common decorating injury.
Rain, wet leaves, cords, and stakes are hazardous on their own. Trick-or-treaters in masks and long costumes are at even greater risk, since they can’t see well or move freely.
How to decorate safely
Check the forecast before you set up, and keep watching it until the decorations come down. Anchor inflatables securely and bring them inside when the wind picks up. Clear walkways of cords, light strings, and hoses. Use only outdoor-rated cords and lights, plug them into a GFCI outlet, and switch off electrical decor during heavy rain.
Once everything is in place, take photos in case a claim is ever made. Then walk your yard the way a visitor would, especially a young trick-or-treater at night, and fix anything that looks risky.
None of this means skipping the decorations. You shouldn’t let those concerns keep you from doing the things that we enjoy. A little planning ahead lets you enjoy the season without the scare.
