October is such a magical time of year as it kicks off the excitement of a fun and exciting holiday season! Halloween is right around the corner, which elicits thoughts of candy, ghosts, spiders, cobwebs, and so much more! But did you know, there are safety hazards that can creep up right alongside the spooky decorations we have in our garages and attics waiting to make their debut?
Here at Anchor Electric of Florida, we love trick-or treating and decorating for Halloween with our families and want to make sure you are taking the precautions necessary to keep your home safe while having a truly enjoyable decorated home this holiday season!
Follow these five simple rules of safety to have the best Halloween yet:
Step number 1: Take Inventory! 
A house can truly be transformed into a spooky sight with the right decor. Lights of different shapes, colors, and sizes as well as blow-up or animatronic decorations can bring your home to the next level! Before you even begin decorating, make sure to inspect your home carefully and take inventory of how many outlets you have and where they are located so that you can distribute your decorations among several different outlets and locations. This can prevent you from having multiple cords connecting into a hazardous string draping across your yard. This can be extremely dangerous for trick or treaters and can be avoided with purposeful planning and knowing the best way to utilize your outlets. Keeping your electrical cords from high-traffic areas prevent trips and falls while keeping trick-or-treaters safe.
Step number 2: Inspect, Inspect, Inspect!
How old are your decorations? How long have they been collecting dust in the attic year after year? We are all for reusing fun and creepy decor, but it is important to inspect your decorations at the start of each season to ensure they are ready for another year. Are there any damaged sockets, exposed wires, or loose connections? These hazards could cause serious shock or even worse… start a fire! The National Fire Protection Association reports that a third of house fires stemmed from decorative lighting and were caused by malfunctions or electrical failures. Taking the time to inspect your decor for safety can prevent unwanted hazards from creeping into your Halloween fun!
Step number 3: Follow the Rules of Safety!
Even though you may love that string light decoration with cute smiling jack-o-lanterns, do not use it outdoors unless it is specified and made for outdoor use. Make sure you are checking all of the labels on your decorations to ensure you are using outdoor lights outdoors and indoor lights indoors. It is extremely important to abide by this rule of safety and always double check to make sure you are using your decorations in the correct location. This also applies for extension cords and electrical decorations.
Step number 4: Shut it Down! 
There is so much magic and delight to be found on Halloween night, but just remember it is important to always monitor your decorations and only have them on when you are home and aware! Do not leave your lights on when you are sleeping or if you are not home for extended periods of time. If you cannot respond to danger in a timely manner, do not have your decor in use. Just remember to always shut everything down when you do not need it active.
Step number 5: Flameless Flames!
If you have any decorations that require flames, such as luminaries or jack-o-lanterns, use a battery-operated candle, a solar powered decoration, or glow stick in place of a real candle and flame. Candle light is beautiful but it is extremely dangerous on an occasion like Halloween, where foot traffic is the highlight of the night and something could get kicked and knocked over. If you are bringing children trick-or-treating, teach them to stay away from open flames such as jack-o-lanterns with candles in them. Also, keep any decor that could be flammable away from any heat sources you are using in your Halloween decor.
So there we have it! Five simple tips to making sure your Halloween is safe and fun in all of the best ways! There is no reason to fear any danger as long as you are safe and responsible when putting up and enjoying your Halloween decor! The only danger you should expect is the kind that comes from creepy witches, spooky spiders, and howling werewolves! Enjoy your Halloween and always reach out to Anchor Electric of Florida for all of your electrical needs. Stay safe!