Keeping Halloween Spooky and Safe

Amber Weaver

October CommKit

Safety – Outdoor Plug Safety

 

Keeping Halloween Spooky and Safe

“It’s the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”, “I am the pumpkin king” and “It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus” are all famous, some would even say iconic, quotes from favorite Halloween movies. The characters that said them may even be represented in your front yard this season as you prepare and decorate for trick or treaters. While the spooky and festive inflatables bring joy to your home and those who pass by, here are some electrical safety tips to keep in mind.

Keep outdoor outlets covered. Just because outdoor outlets are outside and made to be there, they don’t have superpowers against mother nature. Invest in weatherproof covers that shield the outlets when you aren’t using them. These covers flip up and give you easy access to the outlet to plug in or unplug your decorations. They also keep the outlets safe from water, snow and wind, because who knows what kind of weather we will be having this Halloween in Tennessee.

Don’t overload outlets or extension cords. It’s likely that your home doesn’t have as many outdoor outlets as you do inside your home. You may only have a few. It is important to avoid plugging a bunch of decorations into one outlet. This could overload the outlet and cause a fire or another electrical issue. Plus, keep in mind that extension cords can pose a tripping hazard for your trick or treaters.

Watch for potential problems. If you ever notice sparks from an outlet or the outlet feels abnormally hot, the outlet could have faulty wiring. Do not plug anything into an outlet that is experiencing these issues. It’s also important to keep the age of your home in mind. If your home is more than 25 years old, it might be a good idea to do an electrical upgrade to keep you, your family and any visitors safe.