Halloween Landscaping Safety Tips
Halloween is rapidly approaching and many people here in Kentucky are preparing by decorating with spooky décor, planning the perfect costume, carving pumpkins, and many other holiday festivities. It’s very easy to get lost in the fun and overlook holiday landscaping safety, however, the unfortunate truth is that Halloween decorations can pose serious safety risks if you’re not careful. Holiday landscaping safety is very simple with a little foresight and knowledge. With that in mind, here are seven helpful tips for minimizing or eliminating safety risks posed by outdoor Halloween decorations:
1. Avoid flammable decorations. You can’t start a fire if there’s nothing to burn. Keep paper-based, wood-based and straw decorations to a minimum, and if you’re shopping for decorations, inquire about flammability before you buy if you’re uncertain. You should also take extra care to keep your yard clear of dry leaves at this time of year, as they are among the greatest fire hazards you’ll encounter.
2. Avoid sharp objects. Knives can cause serious injuries, so when you’re carving pumpkins always supervise children and don’t let young children use sharp objects. Instead, have the younger kids help with tasks like drawing the jack-o-lantern’s facial features or cleaning out the pumpkin’s insides and seeds.
3. Reconsider the candles. Instead of real candles, use LED-based lighting sources or battery-operated faux candles. This will greatly diminish fire risks, both indoor and out.
4. Ensure electrical safety. If you’re adding Halloween lights to your collection of decorations, be sure to observe proper electrical safety. Be sure you’re not overloading your electrical circuits, check for loose connections and damaged sockets, and never connect any lights with frayed or wayward wires. Also, consider using LED bulbs — they are much cooler when they’re lit, and they also use less energy.
5. Keep walkways clear of clutter. Remember that children and their parents or guardians will be trick or treating in large numbers on Halloween night. Don’t let your decorations obstruct the sidewalk.
6. Make sure your pathways are clearly lit. While Halloween is a spooky time of year, be sure that visitors can find their way to your front door easily. Keep a bright, unobstructed light burning so that trick or treaters can easily find their way to your walkway or steps.
7. Eliminate all tripping hazards. In addition to keeping clutter off your walkway, you should also double check to make sure that no wires or other tripping hazards pose a safety risk. It’s always a good idea to keep decorations and lights well away from paths and driveways to avoid any accidents.
The professionals at Lancaster Lawn & Landscaping, LLC care about your safety this Halloween. If you live in Brandenburg, Kentucky or the surrounding area and you require professional landscaping services contact us by visiting our website. Happy Halloween!