One of the most exciting places to decorate for Halloween is the porch. urating a winning display to draw in trick-or-treaters can be a serious commitment.
However, cleaning experts and landscapers have warned there is more to it than adding decorations. There is a whole host of practical concerns to consider if you don't want a safety scare this season.
Here, they break down the five ways to prepare a porch for Halloween this year to ensure your Halloween porch decor ideas stand out, and your trick-or-treaters remain safe.
How to prepare a porch for Halloween
Keeping these key Halloween safety concerns in mind while putting up your outdoor Halloween decor will ensure everyone enjoys the holiday.
1. Keep the porch well lit
While it might seem instinctive to dim your front porch lighting ideas in favor of a spooky atmosphere to make your front porch Halloween decorations stand out, Mike Fretto, creative director and co-founder of Neighbor, warns it could lead to slips and trips, rather than tricks and treats.
He says, 'Lighting is important. Trick-or-treaters should be able to clearly see your front sidewalk, and especially any stairs or turns on it. Interior lighting is also an important way to let trick-or-treaters know you're home and ready to hand out candy.'
Instead, you should add the best outdoor Halloween lights on top of your existing lighting, rather than instead of. If you want to add a magical touch, you can also try hanging floating candles from your porch roof to wow visitors to your front door. You can find pre-made floating candle hanging kits at Amazon to make the process quick and easy.
2. Keep the pathway clear
Your front yard walkway ideas should be kept as clear from obstructions as possible, so set your decorations up off to the side, suggests Pete Marsh, landscape designer and founder of Blue Oak Patios and Landscapers.
He says, 'My team and I advise homeowners to eliminate tripping hazards like uneven pavement or tangled extension cords. We also suggest positioning decorations away from railings and steps where little ones could reach in case they pull them down onto themselves.'
If your garden path ideas are on the darker side, consider lining them with Halloween lights, such as these Halloween stake lights from Walmart, to set the mood while keeping your visitors safe. You can then consider lighting a garden path more permanently after the holidays.
3. Avoid real candles
A flickering candle is a great way to set a spooky atmosphere, but the real thing is best avoided if you want to prevent a common fire risk. The last thing you want is your front porch or the polyester cape of a young trick-or-treater going up in flames.
Logan Taylor, cleaning expert at Dazzle Cleaning Company says, 'I understand that homeowners also want to create a spooky and festive atmosphere on their porch. One way to achieve this is by using LED lights or battery-powered candles instead of real flames. Not only are these safer options, but they also add a touch of ambiance without the risk of fire hazards.
'Halloween-themed decorations such as spider webs, pumpkins, and scarecrows can add to the overall experience for trick-or-treaters.'
Luckily, there are some smart ways you can make LED candles look like the real thing to wow guests without the risk. Investing in some high-quality, real wax LED candles, such as these from Amazon, is the best place to start.
4. Add non-slip mats
Given that Halloween falls in the middle of the colder seasons, there is a high chance of rain trying to ruin the evening. To plan ahead and avoid slips and trips, Logan Taylor, cleaning expert recommends investing in some non-slip mats from Walmart to line your porch with.
He says, 'While it's important to create a fun and spooky atmosphere, safety should always come first when preparing a porch for trick-or-treaters. I highly recommend using non-slip mats or rugs on slippery surfaces such as wooden decks or stone steps.
'Make sure all decorations are securely anchored and away from railings or stairs to avoid any tripping hazards,' he adds.
5. Keep jump scares away from porch railings
If you prefer to set a scarier tone rather than sticking to subtle Halloween decor then you may lean towards jump scare devices and decorations that will put your trick-or-treaters on edge.
While these devices are certainly up there with some of the best outdoor Halloween decorations, they need to be positioned carefully. When finding the best spot for these decorations, you want to ensure they are far enough away from a main walkway that they will not hit anyone passing by, and far enough away from the edges of your porch that people will not fall down any stairs if they jump when frightened.
Consider placing these items off to the side of a flat pathway so they can spook guests on a flat, stable surface. Keeping the ground around them well-lit will ensure people stay safe and avoid injury.
Finally, get yourself ready and stay on watch of your front porch throughout the evening suggests Mike Fretto, creative director.
He urges us to, 'Sit nearby. This will let you keep an eye on conditions outside and quickly respond when people come to your door.'
You can even add some of the best entryway Halloween decorations to carry your spooky porch illusion through into the rest of your home and fully immerse your guests.
