The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) and the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) are reminding Tennesseans that many Halloween decorations rely on open flames or electricity, which pose home fire risks.
A candle inside a jack-o’-lantern, an inflatable on the front lawn, a string of lights on the porch rail: none of it feels risky until a cord overheats or a costume brushes a flame. TDCI Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence reminded residents to use all decorations, indoors or outdoors, safely and correctly to avoid a potentially tragic home fire.
The State Fire Marshal’s Halloween checklist
- Extension cords. Make sure the cord is rated for outdoor use. The SFMO says damaged cords should always be taken out of service and never patched with electrical tape.
- Candles. Battery-operated candles or glow sticks are the SFMO’s suggestion for jack-o’-lanterns. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution, do not leave it unattended, and supervise children whenever candles are lit.
- GFCI protection outside. All electrically powered outdoor decorations should use ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection, either an outdoor GFCI receptacle or an inline GFCI cord set, and the SFMO says to test it before each use.
- Listed products. Buy decorations listed by qualified testing laboratories, such as UL or Intertek.
- Flammable decor. Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep them away from open flames, light bulbs, and space heaters.
- Party prep. If you are cooking for a Halloween get-together, the SFMO reminds hosts to be mindful of alcohol while preparing food.
Porches, cabins, and rentals
East Tennessee porches and decks get decorated early, and many stay lit through Thanksgiving. Walk your setup once in daylight: are cords pinched in doors or windows, is anything plugged into an indoor outlet through a cracked window, and are hay bales or cornstalks stacked near a porch light or fire pit? If you own a short-term rental cabin, guests may bring their own decorations, so a short house-rules note about candles and outdoor cords can help.
Where insurance fits
A home fire usually becomes a homeowners, condo, or renters claim, and the outcome depends on your policy forms, limits, deductibles, and exclusions. Before the holiday season, it is reasonable to confirm that dwelling and personal property limits reflect current costs and that you know whether personal property is settled at replacement cost or actual cash value. TDCI’s homeowners resources, linked below, are a good starting point.
Related reading from All Seasons
- TDCI’s Focus page lists the homeowners coverages Tennesseans should understand.
- TDCI’s Homeowners Insurance 101 page links inventory, CLUE, and ACV tools.
- TDCI explains Actual Cash Value versus Replacement Cost for Tennessee homeowners.
Free policy review
All Seasons Insurance Group offers a free personal policy review. Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/. This article is informational only and does not promise coverage or eligibility; your policy forms control. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
Why does the State Fire Marshal warn about Halloween decorations?
The SFMO says many Halloween decorations rely on open flames or electricity, which pose home fire risks.
What kind of extension cord should I use outdoors?
Use a cord rated for outdoor use. Damaged cords should be taken out of service and never patched with electrical tape.
Are real candles safe in jack-o’-lanterns?
The SFMO suggests battery-operated candles or glow sticks. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution, never leave it unattended, and supervise children.
What is GFCI protection and do outdoor decorations need it?
A ground-fault circuit interrupter senses an imbalance in current and cuts power. The SFMO says all electrically powered outdoor decorations should use GFCI protection, tested before each use.
How do I know a decoration has been safety tested?
The SFMO says to buy products listed by qualified testing laboratories, such as UL or Intertek.
Which decorations are most flammable?
Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper, according to the SFMO. Keep them away from flames, light bulbs, and space heaters.
Does homeowners insurance cover a decoration fire?
It depends on your policy forms, limits, deductibles, and exclusions. This article is informational only; review your declarations page or request a policy review.
How can All Seasons help after reading this?
Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/ for a free personal policy review. Informational only; no coverage promises. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
