How to Hold Down Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Outdoor Christmas decorations are a great way to create that spectacular look outside of your home for the holidays. Don't let a few strong gusts of winds blow them away. Properly securing your inflatable decorations gives you peace of mind knowing your investment won't be damaged by bad weather. Here are a few tips to keep those inflatables secured all season long.

Location, Location, Location

You may think that the location of your inflatables doesn't matter. However, if you want to avoid chasing after them on windy days, you may want to consider where you place them. If possible, it's better to place them on flat ground giving them a proper foundation. Another note to keep in mind is to avoid placing them out in the open. Objects that are placed next to walls or trees will tend to receive less of the gusty winds. Doing both of these things will also make it easier as you begin to secure them in the other ways described below.

Sand and Gravel Bags

A simple and easy way to hold down any outdoor inflatable is using bags filled with sand or gravel. It is recommended that you use two or three bags to properly secure your decorations. When you fill your bags, make sure you don't overfill them as they need to fit in the access hole of the inflatable. Once they are filled, tie them tight, making sure none of the sand or gravel will pour out. As you place these into the inflatables, be very careful as you put them through the access hole and onto the base. To keep it secure, spread the bags out evenly.

Tie Them Down With Twine

Another fairly simple way to secure your inflatables is to use twine. Simply take the twine and wrap it around the inflatable at about mid-height, and tie the twine around a smooth column surface like a fence post or railing. If your decoration isn't near a fence or your front porch, we recommend taking wooden stakes and placing them on either side of the inflatable. You now have the object needed to tie the twine around. When wrapping the twine around the inflatable, make sure not to tie it too tightly as it may cause damage. As you tie the twine around your column or wooden stakes, it's important to do at least one full loop for the security you want.

Secure Them With Stakes

An effective way to keep those inflatable decorations secured in the ground is by using stakes. The majority of inflatable decorations have a wide base that includes holes for stakes. Take a few small lawn stakes and pound them into the ground as far as possible. If your inflatable doesn't have an area for you to place these stakes, you can wrap a thin rope around your inflatable. When doing this, wrap the rope about mid-height and tie it to the stakes in the ground. Don't wrap the rope too tight, and when stretching the rope to the ground, make sure it doesn't stretch your inflatable backward.

Metal Chain Locks For Extra Security

One last way to keep those inflatables secured throughout the holiday season is by using a metal chain lock. Feed the chain lock through the light socket opening in the back of your decoration and connect it to a stake in the ground. This will require you to have a metal or plastic stake placed directly behind your blow mold. Once the metal chain lock is connected to the stake, pound it in the ground as far as possible. This, combined with the sand or gravel bags inside of the decorations provide more anchorage.

Inflatable decorations are a great way to accent those stunning Christmas lights, wreaths, and other decorations. The last thing you want is to see all of your hard work go to waste. We hope these tips will help you keep those decorations up all season long. If you're looking for some new outdoor inflatables, check out our favorites here!