Mega displays, minor precautions

As Halloween approaches, nearly three-quarters of British Columbians are preparing to decorate, with many planning more elaborate displays than ever before.

However, a recent BC Hydro survey reveals that basic electrical safety is being widely overlooked, raising concerns as large-scale “mega displays” become more common and bring increased complexity and power demands.

According to the survey, more than 60% of British Columbians are not concerned about electrical safety when setting up Halloween decorations, despite acknowledging that Halloween is a night of heightened risk and mischief.

The growing popularity of “mega displays” – setups that rival Christmas in scale and complexity – has introduced new risks, especially when outdoor-rated equipment and proper installation practices are ignored. Nearly 40% of respondents admitted to using decorations not certified for outdoor use, and one-third place extension cords or decorations near water or walkways, increasing the risk of electrical shock or fire.

Further compounding the issue, half of those surveyed do not check extension cord ratings, and 35% are unaware of wattage limitations. More than 30% skip reading manufacturer instructions altogether, while one in five assume decorations are waterproof or safe for outdoor use without verifying. Despite the known risks, nearly 20% believe electrical fires are too rare to worry about.

While most respondents are aware of the dangers posed by overhead power lines, 18% admit they do not consider them when installing large inflatables or lighting displays.

The survey also highlights a gap in safety education among families. Only half of parents have discussed electrical safety at Halloween with their children, even though 12% have experienced children or pets tampering with decorations.

Additionally, nearly 20% say their home or decorations have been vandalized on Halloween night, adding another layer of unpredictability to the evening.

To keep Halloween decorating safe and spooky, BC Hydro recommends:

• Keep clear of power lines: Never place decorations near overhead power lines, transformers, or other BC Hydro equipment.
• Check wattage limits:  Always check the wattage rating of your decorations and ensure your outlets and extension cords can handle the load. Overloading can lead to overheating and fires.
• Avoid daisy-chaining cords: Plugging multiple extension cords together (daisy-chaining) increases the risk of overheating. Use a single, appropriately rated extension cord instead.
• Unplug when not in use: Turn off and unplug decorations before going to bed or leaving the house to reduce fire risk.

For more information visit bchydro.com.

e-KNOW file photo

BC Hydro

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