Are you ready to create an eye-catching outdoor holiday display with a bunch of inflatable yard decorations?
The power supply logistics can be a bit tricky, but fear not! We’re here to guide you through the process.
In this article, we’ll explore how to plug in multiple inflatable decorations safely and effortlessly. So let’s dive in and discover the expert tips and techniques that can help you bring your yard to life!
1. Look for the Nearest Outlets
To get started, find the electrical outlets available in your outdoor space. Don’t worry if you’re not sure where they are – we’ll walk you through your options.
According to the National Electric Code (NEC) standards, new homes must have two or more outdoor electrical receptacles. If your house is compliant, you’ll have at least one outlet at the front and another at the rear, and both should be 6.5 feet from the ground or lower.
So, start by walking around your property and looking for these power outlets. They are designed for outdoor use and can be a convenient power source for your holiday inflatables.
But wait, there’s more!
If you have a garage, there’s a good chance you might have additional electrical outlets inside. Take a quick look to see if any of them are easily accessible from your outdoor display area.
By identifying the available outlets and their locations, you can plan your inflatable layout accordingly. As a general guideline, consider grouping your pieces into sets of three or six, connecting each group to a single outlet via an extension cord (more on that later).
Are all your outdoor outlets already in use? Jump to the next step for a nifty trick!
2. Free Up Any Used Outlet
To complete the festive look, some people like to combine light displays with outdoor inflatables. The more, the merrier, right? Well, the issue here is that the strings of lights will take up some of the limited outlets, leaving fewer options (or none at all) for the inflatables.
One solution to this problem is to opt for solar-powered holiday lights. Since they don’t require a regular AC supply, you can use them to free up the outlets for your yard decorations.
Eight lighting modes
Memory function and auto on/off
Quick charging technology
There’s one catch, though.
It’s important to note that while solar-powered strings can be a convenient product, they come with a higher upfront cost than traditional lights. However, if you plan on using the entire holiday display frequently, the investment can be worthwhile in the long term.
3. Get Multi-Outlet Extension Cords
Now that you’ve located the outlets and prepared your power supply, it’s time to power up your inflatables to create a captivating display. To do that, you need an extension cord running from the outlet to each group of decorations.
Let’s explore the top options:
Power Stakes
One convenient pick for the outdoors is the power stake. To set up one of those, simply push the sharp stake into the lawn, and it will stand on its own.
Some models even come with six outlets instead of the standard three, so they can handle more inflatables at a time. If you need an extension cord for outdoor inflatables, these are some of the more popular options.
Regular 3-in-1 Cords
If you prefer a simpler approach, go for an outdoor extension cord with three outlets on one end.
Keep in mind that if you are using large decorations or need to spread the inflatables across a spacious yard, this one might not be ideal. The placement of all the outlets on one end makes it hard to get a spaced-out inflatable layout with a single cord. It depends on the cord length from each inflatable power supply, too.
Spaced Cords
To arrange your electrical decorations evenly across the yard, consider using outdoor extensions that have evenly spaced outlets along the length of the cord.
These cords give you a ton of flexibility in positioning your inflatables. Some models have ten outlets (one every 5 feet), so you can easily place the pieces at varying distances from the power source.
This option can be particularly useful when you have party decorations of different sizes and want to create a balanced display.
4. Don’t Daisy Chain
Daisy chaining (connecting one cord/power strip to another) might seem like a convenient way of creating one mega-long extension cord with multiple outlets for all your inflatables.
However, it’s a fire hazard.
When you exceed the circuit’s capacity, the cords can overheat, outlets can get damaged, and electrical fires may occur. The risk is just not worth it.
The best way to go here is to prioritize safety by using separate cords and dispersing the load.
5. Pick Inflatables With Multiple Characters
For convenience’s sake, try to limit the number of single-character lawn inflatables in your layout. Instead, pick more decorations that feature multiple characters in one set.
From a distance, they look as if they’re separate display pieces, but they’re actually joined at the base, which means they use a single built-in fan and one power cord.
This allows you to set up a delightful display while minimizing the number of outlets needed.
So instead of getting a standalone inflatable snowman, you can blow up a cute display of a polar bear, a snowball, and a couple of cute penguins using just one outlet of an extension cord or power stake!
Extra Safety Tips for Plugging in Inflatable Lawn Decorations
Here are some tips to keep in mind when plugging in multiple inflatables for your outdoor display:
- Use outdoor-rated extension cords only.
- Remember to unplug your inflatables at night.
- Avoid running cords across high-traffic areas in your yard to prevent tripping hazards.
- Regularly inspect the power supply setup for signs of damage and promptly repair/replace any faulty parts.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! To plug in multiple inflatable decorations, all you need to do is locate the outdoor outlets and choose the appropriate extension cord, whether it’s a staked power strip or a cord with spaced outlets.
Now, don’t let all that talk about the inflatables’ power supply make you forget to secure the inflatables in place with ground stakes. Otherwise, you may lose your inflatables, or damage the outlets if they’re picked up by the wind and dragged around.
