It’s Halloween season in the Twin Cities! From glowing pumpkins to eerie fog machines, Halloween is the perfect time to showcase your creativity with outdoor lighting and decorations. However, as your trusted local electricians at Northern Mister Sparky, we want to make sure your holiday display is safe for everyone, from the tiniest trick-or-treaters to the friendly ghosts and goblins.
Here are our top electrical safety tips for a fun and fright-free Halloween season.
1. Inspect your decorations and cords
Before you plug in anything, take a moment to carefully inspect all of your decorations. Look for:
- Frayed wires: Cracked or frayed cords are a major fire and shock hazard. If you find any, discard the decoration. Electrical tape is not a safe long-term fix.
- Damaged sockets or plugs: Check for broken light sockets, cracked insulation, or bent plugs.
- UL approval: Only use lights and electrical decorations that have been tested and certified by a recognized safety lab like Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The UL label is your assurance of safety.
2. Choose the right Halloween decor for the outdoors
Not all electrical decorations are created equal. Make sure any lights, cords, or animated props you use outside are specifically rated for outdoor use. These products are designed to withstand moisture and changing weather conditions, which is especially important here in Minnesota.
3. Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets
This is one of the most important tips for outdoor decorating. GFCI outlets are designed to prevent electric shock by automatically shutting off power if a ground fault is detected. All outdoor outlets on your Twin Cities home should be GFCI-protected. If they aren’t, it’s a critical safety upgrade worth considering. Northern Mister Sparky has you covered!
4. Avoid overloading your circuits
An impressive Halloween display often requires a lot of power. Plugging too many items into a single outlet can cause it to overheat, trip a breaker, or even start a fire. Instead, spread your decorations across multiple outlets and use outdoor-rated power strips with built-in surge protection to manage your display safely.
5. Keep cords out of walkways
Running electrical cords across your yard or a busy walkway is a major tripping hazard for trick-or-treaters, especially at night. Secure cords along the side of your home or driveway, or use cord protectors to keep them safely out of the way.
6. Go for a ‘flame-free’ glow with safe Halloween lights
While candles in pumpkins create a classic look, they are a fire risk, especially when placed near flammable decorations like cornstalks and hay bales. Consider using battery-operated LED lights or glow sticks instead to illuminate your jack-o’-lanterns safely.
7. Know when to call in a pro
If you’re planning a complex outdoor lighting setup or need to install new weatherproof outlets, it’s always best to call a professional. The licensed electricians at Northern Mister Sparky are experts in helping Twin Cities-area residents with all their electrical needs, big and small.
Your friends at Northern Mister Sparky wish you a happy October. Whether you’re a Halloween enthusiast or a passive spectator, we’ll make sure the power is flowing during the scary season. Is your home ready to handle the Halloween lights? Reach out to Northern Mister Sparky now at (763) 335-6890 or online here to schedule a service call. Keep it spooky but safe this Halloween with Northern Mister Sparky!