Smart Halloween & Fall Decorating Tips for Your Home

It’s that time of year when porches glow with pumpkins, leaves crunch underfoot, and homeowners across Connecticut start transforming their yards into festive fall scenes. Whether you’re stringing up orange lights or setting out a dozen jack-o’-lanterns, decorating for the season brings warmth and a little spookiness to your neighborhood.

Before you dive in, remember: safe decorating means you can enjoy all the fun and festivity while keeping your family, guests, and home protected. Here are some smart ways to celebrate the season without any Halloween horrors of the wrong kind.

1. Light the Way — Safely

Trick-or-treaters and guests will be navigating your walkway after dark, so lighting is everything. Swap old incandescent bulbs for bright, energy-efficient LEDs in your porch and pathway fixtures. Solar-powered lanterns and battery-operated candles are great for steps and railings — no cords, no risk of tripping.

If you love the flicker of a real candle in your jack-o’-lantern, consider switching to flameless tea lights. They look just as cozy and won’t turn your pumpkin into a fire hazard. Bonus: they’ll last all season without melting your masterpiece.

2. Clear the Path

Leaves, hay, and decorations might look charming - until someone slips on them. Keep walkways swept and free from clutter, and check that your extension cords are tucked out of the way or taped down. If you’re using inflatable decorations or light-up figures, position them so they don’t block paths or stairs.

If you have uneven pavers or steps that could be a trip hazard, a few well-placed solar lights or reflective markers can go a long way. And don’t forget your pets. Keep cords and small decorations out of reach of curious paws and teeth.

3. Keep Fire in Check

Fall means candles, fire pits, and cozy porch displays, which are all great until something gets too close. If you’re decorating with dried corn stalks, hay bales, or fabric banners, keep them at least three feet away from open flames or heat sources.

For outdoor lights, make sure they’re rated for exterior use and plugged into a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlet. If you’re stringing multiple light sets together, check the manufacturer’s limits and get rid of any with frayed cords or broken bulbs.

4. Think Weather-Resistant

October weather can be unpredictable. Dry and windy one day, damp and stormy the next. Choose decorations made from durable materials, and secure them well. A few zip ties or heavy-duty clips can keep your spiderwebs and garlands from blowing into your neighbor’s yard (or worse, the street).

If you’re setting up extension cords, keep all connections off the ground and protected from moisture. A simple cord cover or plastic housing can prevent short circuits and save your decorations from early retirement.

5. Protect Your Home While You’re at It

Fall decorating season is also a great time for a quick exterior check-up. While you’re hanging lights or setting up pumpkins, take a minute to look over your siding, roof, and gutters. Clogged gutters can trap water against your home’s exterior, and loose shingles or siding panels are easier to fix now than after winter hits.

If you spot damage, like cracked trim, peeling paint, or rotted wood, make a note to have it repaired before freezing temperatures arrive. Preventive maintenance now means fewer surprises later.

Enjoy the Season

Halloween and fall decorating are all about creating a welcoming, festive atmosphere that feels warm, safe, and uniquely yours. With a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the glow of your pumpkins and the laughter of trick-or-treaters without worry.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Attic Ventilation is Key for the Home

As summer gives way to cooler fall nights here in Connecticut, your attic becomes one of the hardest-working (and most overlooked) parts of the house. Trapped heat, lingering humidity, and poor airflow can quietly damage your roof from the inside out. The solution is simple but powerful: proper insulation and ventilation. When done right, this combination protects your roof, lowers energy costs, and delivers a return on investment that lasts for decades.

In our area, many attics are under-insulated and poorly ventilated. I still meet homeowners who want to save a few bucks by shingling over an old roof. The problem is, what you can’t see can hurt you - trapped moisture and heat can quietly rot plywood, cook shingles, and shorten a 30-year warranty roof to something far less.

Airflow is non-negotiable. A healthy attic “breathes”: fresh air in at the eaves and stale, warm, moisture-laden air out at the peak. Intake typically comes through continuous soffit vents or a product like SmartVent, which installs near the gutter line. For exhaust, modern ridge vents beat old louver (gable) vents. If you have both, keep the louvers closed - mixing systems turn those louvers into unintended intakes that only cool the top third of the attic and leave the rest to sweat it out.

Insulation and ventilation are a package deal. Ventilation manages airflow; insulation manages temperature. Fiberglass batts (yep, the pink or yellow stuff) and blown-in insulation reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. But without balanced ventilation, even the best insulation can absorb moisture, slump, and underperform - especially as temperatures swing this time of year. That’s when we see telltale signs like musty smells, rusty nails, and in cold snaps, even frost on the underside of roof decking.

A quick seasonal checklist can save you from expensive surprises:

• Make sure bath fans and dryer vents exhaust outside, not into the attic.

• Confirm continuous intake at soffits (baffles help keep insulation from blocking airflow).

• Use a continuous ridge vent for exhaust; don’t mix with open gable louvers.

• Air-seal attic penetrations (wires, pipes, light boxes) before adding insulation.

• Aim for appropriate insulation depth and even coverage, especially over the living areas.

Thinking about re-roofing? Ask your contractor for a ventilation and insulation plan - not just a shingle quote. Upgrading airflow and R-value when you replace a roof is the definition of smart timing. It protects the new shingles, preserves the roof deck, keeps comfort consistent, and trims energy costs season after season. In other words, it’s one of those un-flashy upgrades that pays you back quietly, year after year, while your neighbors wonder why their AC and furnace never seem to get a break.

As summer winds down and the furnace season creeps in, set your attic up to win. Proper insulation and ventilation will regulate temperatures, manage moisture, extend roof life, and safeguard warranties. It’s a modest upgrade with long-term dividends and comfort you can feel with savings you can count on.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Put a Roof Check on Your Fall Maintenance List

When it comes to protecting your home, your roof is the unsung hero. It shields you from rain, wind, snow, and sun every single day. Yet most homeowners don’t think twice about it until a problem pops up. By then, it’s usually more than just a minor inconvenience. That’s why fall is the perfect time to give your roof some attention. Taking a little time now can save you a lot of stress and money once winter sets in.

Take a Quick Look

Start simple. Stand back in your yard and scan your roof from the ground. Do the shingles look flat and uniform? Or do you see sagging areas, dark streaks, or patches that just don’t look right? Those could be early warning signs of bigger problems.

Don’t forget the inside of your home either. Water stains on the ceiling, peeling paint, or small cracks in your walls can all signal that moisture is making its way in. Even if you don’t see active dripping, these issues usually start small and then spread. Catching them early is the key.

Remember the Roof’s Birthday

Age is one of the biggest factors in how your roof performs. Most roofs last about 20 years, but that number isn’t set in stone. The quality of the installation, insulation, and ventilation all make a difference. A roof that’s well-installed and properly ventilated can easily last a few extra years, while a poorly maintained one can wear out much sooner.

If your roof is pushing the two-decade mark - or if you’re not sure how old it is - it’s time to start planning ahead. This is especially important if you’ve recently bought your home. Knowing when your roof was last replaced can help you budget and avoid surprises down the road.

Check Those Shingles

Shingles are your roof’s first line of defense, and they’re also one of the easiest things to inspect. Look for shingles that are curling at the edges, splitting down the middle, or missing altogether. These issues often happen as roofs age and are exposed to the elements year after year.

While you’re at it, take a peek at your gutters and downspouts. If you notice piles of shingle granules collecting there, it’s a sign that the protective coating on your shingles is wearing away. Once that happens, your roof is much more vulnerable to leaks.

Don’t Brush Off Moss or Mold

It’s not unusual to see a little moss or dark staining on a roof, but don’t ignore it. Moss and mold thrive in damp, shaded areas, and they can signal that moisture is getting trapped under your shingles. Left unchecked, that moisture can lead to rotting plywood and costly structural damage.

Sometimes, the fix is as simple as cleaning the roof and improving ventilation. Other times, it may require replacing damaged areas. If you’re not sure which it is, calling in a professional is the safest route.

Look Inside, Too

Your ceilings and walls can often tell you what your roof can’t. Yellowish-brown stains, bubbling paint, or cracked drywall are all signs of water damage. Even if the issue looks small, it’s best not to wait. Roof leaks don’t heal themselves - they only get worse. Acting quickly can prevent a small drip from becoming a major repair job.

Call in the Pros

If you’re not comfortable judging the condition of your roof - or just want peace of mind - bring in an expert. Many roofing companies, ours included, offer free inspections. A roofer can tell you how much life your roof has left, point out any problem areas, and recommend the best next steps.

One of the most common reasons roofs fail before their time is poor ventilation and insulation. These issues can cause shingles to age faster, trap moisture, and even lead to rot. A good roofer won’t just look at the surface - they’ll check what’s going on underneath, too.

A little preventative maintenance this fall can make all the difference. Your roof protects everything beneath it. Giving it a checkup now means fewer surprises, fewer headaches, and fewer bills later on.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. For questions, email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” Questions may be selected for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.