El Niño Storms Threaten To Turn Extravagant Halloween Decor Into Liabilities for Homeowners

Elaborate Halloween displays can make your home the talk of the town, but severe weather can quickly turn them into costly liabilities. Since a very strong El Niño is still affecting fall and winter weather this year, with wetter-than-average conditions in the Gulf Coast and Southeast in particular, it’s more important than ever to be careful with your decor.“If you leave Halloween decor up in your yard after the holiday or you face a nasty, wet front with high winds before it, the exposure you have is very real," says Amanda Demanda, founder of The Law Offices of Amanda Demanda in Miami."The dangers are greatest for kids trick-or-treating, older neighbors, and delivery drivers, though you could also get hurt in your decorated yard.” Potential hazards to be aware ofMost Halloween decor is designed for calm, dry nights, which may not be what homeowners will experience in the upcoming weeks.While the forecast for the rest of October remains to be seen, so far the country has seen the impacts of El Nino this month with Hurricane Isaias, which brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the Gulf.Speaking of wind, inflatables, for example, catch wind like a sail. And if they’re not ancho...