Some folks associate the fall season with crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin spice everything. Meanwhile, others feverishly anticipate ghoulish Halloween jump scares, and stock up on candy for their neighborhood trick-or-treaters.
But with all this spooky and sugary excitement, potential fire hazards are not too far behind. Many Halloween home decorations pose significant fire risks—but with proactive measures, homeowners can easily avoid them. Here are five actionable autumn season safety tips to ensure a Halloween that’s scary for all the right reasons:
1. Use Flameless Alternatives to Traditional Décor
The best way to ensure Halloween festivities don’t go up in smoke is to avoid using flames. It can be hard to replace the ambiance of real candles flickering from the mouth of a carved out jack-o-lantern, but they’re among the main causes of seasonal house fires.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) discourages the use of lit candles as a form of decoration, given the risk of flames catching on a material or surface that could quickly burn and ignite a blaze. Instead, the NFPA recommends using battery-operated LED candles. Not only are these the safest options for Halloween home decorations, but they still feature that realistic flickering effect to set the eerie mood you want.
2. Prevent Smoke Alarm and Fire Sprinkler Obstructions
Smoke alarms and fire sprinklers are a home’s first line of defense in the event a spark ignites. As you decorate for Halloween (or fall, in general), be careful not to cover fire sprinkler heads or alarm sensors, so they can function without obstructions.
Never hang any decorations from a sprinkler head—no matter how small and light the item is, or how convenient and aesthetic the placement might be. Obstructions will lead to serious risks if you need the fire sprinklers to activate immediately. And while we’re on the subject of these devices, here’s another crucial autumn season safety tip: Now is an excellent time to test your smoke alarm batteries and replace them, if necessary.
3. Avoid Décor with Flammable Materials When Possible
There are a shocking number of items inside your home that can cause a fire—and some aren’t as obvious as you might assume. Space heaters, light bulbs, kitchen appliances, and electrical circuits could spark a reaction if they’re close to flammable materials.
Truly fireproof materials are hard—if not, impossible—to come across, especially in terms of Halloween home decorations. But you can purchase “fire-retardant” or “flame-resistant” décor. These are much safer to hang, but they’re still not completely immune to catching fire, so be sure to keep them clear of smoke alarms and fire sprinklers.
4. Be Careful When Decorating with Exterior Lights
Folks who want to showcase their Halloween home decorations will often use their front porches as a center stage. But this requires a particular amount of caution due to exterior fire hazards such as moisture, short circuits, or overloading extension cords.
Always check the condition of cords, light bulbs, and wires before you string them up. Worn-out lights can increase the risk of an electrical fire, so toss them out if you see damage. Also, check that your lights are made for the outdoors with weather-resistant materials, as these are safe to use—no matter what the fall weather might usher in.
5. Plan Ahead by Scheduling a Fire Sprinkler Inspection
Even as Halloween comes and goes, this is the perfect time to book your annual fire sprinkler inspection before the holidays arrive. In just a matter of weeks, you’ll have guests to host and events to plan. But as festive as this season can be, it can also pose an increased house fire risk. Scheduling a sprinkler inspection ahead of the holiday rush will enhance peace of mind, making it one of the most important autumn season safety tips.
Scare Fires Away from Halloween Home Decorations with These Autumn Season Safety Tips
Keep yourself—and your Halloween home decorations—safe with the expertise of A&A Fire Protection. Contact us to learn more about the services we offer, then schedule an appointment in time for this eerie (and merry) season just around the corner.
