Halloween is a time for spooky fun and activities, but it can also be a time for some truly scary electrical hazards.
In its survey published last month, the National Retail Federation said Americans are expected to make $13.1 billion worth of Halloween-related purchases in 2025, up from $11.6 billion last year and breaking the previous record of $12.2 billion in 2023. That rise in spending also means more outdoor decorations and therefore a greater risk of electrical hazards than ever before.
Some Halloween decorations have electrical needs to keep them inflated, glowing or animated. As your neighbors set up for the festivities, you may have noticed many front yards covered in a sea of electrical cords, increasing the risk of overloaded circuits, exposed electrical parts, improper grounding and damaged insulation.
Being better prepared and safely incorporating electricity into Halloween decorations helps to make sure that no accidents take place. As the holiday approaches, take simple precautions to help keep your family and neighborhood safe.
Here are some electrical safety tips:
- Get the right extension cord: Avoid using an indoor cord for outdoor use, since indoor cords are not built to withstand changing weather conditions.
- Check the condition: Inspect the whole length of the cord to make sure it's not frayed anywhere, which could expose the internal wiring to wet or damp conditions. And definitely don't fall into the temptation of patching up cords with electrical tape to save a buck.
- Keep it neat: In addition to making your yard look nice, routing extension cords in an organized way avoids turning them into tripping hazards for those trick-or-treaters who wander onto your property.
- Use rated products only: Fall weather can be fickle. It is important to ensure that decorations being displayed in your yard are rated for outdoor use.
- Utilize ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection: GFCI protection is a vital safety component when water and electricity collide. These devices turn off the power when they sense an issue, helping avoid electric shock.
- Go for the safer option: Keep highly flammable décor and costumes away from heat sources, especially wax candles, since 50% of candle fires start when flammable items are placed too close. To illuminate your jack-o-lanterns consider using battery-operated candles, which look just as charming as the real thing.
For more information on safety, visit sce.com/safety.
