Halloween decor can pose hazards to some animals
Jack-o-lanterns, plastic skeletons and fake cobwebs are staples when decorating your house for Halloween, but they could be a threat to our furry friends — pets or wild.
Cobwebs that are stretched over gardens can be especially dangerous to birds or squirrels, Lisa Bloch, director of communications for Marin Humane in Novato, Calif., told CTV.
If put over any foliage that borders your walkway, “wildlife can easily get stuck in these webs,” she says.
Birds who have nests nearby can have their wings damaged if caught in the fake webs, while squirrels and chipmunks, or some less cute critters, can also get stuck to any webbing or netting that’s close to the ground.
You’ve heard of a deer in headlights, but what about a deer in Halloween lights? For those who take the festivities to the next level and live in an area that has the antlered animals, lights can be especially dangerous.
Deer that are more adventurous may be attracted to the lights and get stuck in the wires if they’re hanging low enough. The same goes for scarecrow clothing, nets or even fake ghosts that hang off trees.
“We see it every year,” Jason Clay from Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Denver office says. Be on the lookout for where animals tend to tread on your property and avoid putting any decorations nearby, he says.
The danger doesn’t stop there. Pumpkins, or anything else that may be edible to an animal, are also a potential hazard to any wildlife in your yard.
After the candle has gone out, they should be disposed of immediately, according to Alison Hermance of non-profit wildlife hospital and nature education centre Wildcare in San Rafael, Calif.
“It’s good to be mindful and remove the decorations as soon as you’re done celebrating.”