It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you have worked hard to decorate the outside of your office. Once you’ve got everything in place, you head home, content with your building’s Christmasy vibe.
But as you pull into the lot the next morning, there’s a disaster waiting for you. All of your Holiu decorations have been scattered. Some are even missing, having been carried off by the wind.
The good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way! There’s an easy solution! Let’s examine how to keep inflatables from falling over.
Don't worry. These are simple tips and tricks. We’ll show you how to secure lawn decorations from wind. Then you can keep them on display all season long!
Step 1: Choose The Right Stakes and Anchors
Stakes work against vampires and gusts of wind equally well. How to keep inflatables from falling over with stakes may be obvious to you. But first things first, you have to get the stakes.
What kind should you get? Well, you’ll need different kinds for different decorations. Inflatables can use tent stakes designed to hold loops of rope. Flat decorations, such as cardboard, wood, or plastic signs, will need a flat wooden stake. For these decorations, you can use duct tape to affix them to the stake.
Where can you get stakes? Pretty much any hardware store will have them, and your best bet is larger stores like Lowes and Home Depot. Tell them you want to know how to keep inflatables from falling over, and they’ll hook you up.
Step 2: Pick Tools to Secure Your Christmas Decorations
Now that you have your stakes, let’s review what tools you can use and how to anchor Christmas inflatables and other decorations to the ground. Twine, tape, weights, a rubber mallet, and a drill will be handy to have on hand.
The twine will be great for securing large custom inflatables or hollow plastic decorations. Weights are great if you’re working in a paved or concrete area and can’t stake them into the ground. You can use tape to secure flat decorations to the stakes. The rubber mallet will be useful for driving stakes into the ground.
Finally, there’s the drill. What’s the drill for? It solves the problem of how to keep Christmas inflatables from falling over. You see, sometimes you must take drastic measures.
For example, you may need a drill to put holes in the bottom of hollow plastic decorations. We’ll get to “why” momentarily. Now that you know how to weigh down outdoor decorations, let’s proceed to the next step!
Step 3: Choose The Perfect Location for Decorations
Each decoration has an ideal spot around your office. Inflatables should be on flat ground next to sturdy objects. Trees, walls, lampposts — anything other than an open field. These objects will block and redirect wind from the inflatable. And flat ground helps them stay upright and balanced.
Hollow plastic decorations have similar requirements, except they are more easily damaged. Keep them away from places where objects can fall on them.
Let’s talk about flat decorations like signs. As long as you can drive a stake into the ground or otherwise mount them to a surface, you’re golden.
Still, location is important. When that stake is going into the ground, make sure it can go deep. If it’s too shallow, that decoration will go into the air with the first sign of wind.
Step 4: Learn How To Secure Inflatable Decorations
Let’s revisit that drill comment from earlier. Don’t worry — we’ll discuss how to anchor outdoor Christmas decorations to the ground in a second. For hollow plastic decorations, drill a few holes in the bottom and route twine through. That twine can then be tied to a stake.
Or, if you don’t want to drill holes, you can use weights. Many plastic decorations have an access hole on the back for just this purpose. Use sand, gravel, or literal weights from your gym if they fit.
Giant Inflatable Characters can be staked to the ground. The best way to do this is to drive a stake firmly into the ground and then tie the inflatable securely to the stake. You can also use sandbags or weights to make sure it stays put. Just make sure the ropes or straps aren’t rubbing against any obstacles, or they could snap.
For flat decorations, get your mallet and drive that flat wooden stake at least a foot into the ground. Use more tape than you think you should. If you mount the decoration to a tree or post, be aware that the wind could catch the decoration and tear it right off. You might need to drill it in. With these techniques, you now know how to keep inflatable decorations standing.
Step 5: Double-Check Everything
No one wants their lawn decorations to go missing. Also, your employees and clients don’t want to get beaned on the noggin by a flying, unsecured ornament.
When figuring out how to fix inflatable Santa Clauses and keep them anchored, check your stakes and see if they’re secure. Check your weights. If the decorations still move easily, you might need to add more weight. Check your straps and ropes. Have you tied them securely? Are they rubbing on any trees or rocks?
Once you’re convinced you’ve done everything you can, you can head inside and rest on your laurels.
Additional Tips for Extra Security
Are you still trying to figure out how to fix Christmas inflatables and keep them secure? We have some additional tips on how to keep outdoor decorations from blowing over! There are always chains and padlocks if you’re looking for something more secure than rope or twine.
Also, if you have any decorations that need power, be careful with that drill. You don’t want to put a hole through a wire. For inflatables, check if you have the ability to place weights inside of them. That way, you get a nice, clean, rope-free look.
‘Tis the Season for Christmas Inflatables from Floatie Kings
Learning how to keep inflatables from falling over is important. But having decorations worth securing is even better.
Do you want incredible inflatables to boost your brand? Creating custom inflatables is what we do at Floatie Kings! We’ve made them for Saint Laurent Paris, HypeBeast, Under Armour, and dozens of other clients. Read our case studies to learn more about our creative collaborations! Partner with Floatie Kings to create your dream holiday inflatables today.
FAQs on How To Keep Inflatables From Falling Over
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to keep Christmas inflatables from falling over.
Can I use water weights to keep my inflatables stable?
Yes, if you wonder how to tie down inflatables, using water weights is an effective way to maintain the stability of your inflatables. These weights help counterbalance wind and movement securing your inflatable decorations.
Are there any safety precautions I should take when securing inflatables to prevent accidents?
Absolutely, safety should be a top priority when securing inflatables. Here are the most important things to remember:
- Avoid tripping hazards: Make sure that any ropes, stakes, or anchors used to secure inflatables are placed in a way that minimizes tripping hazards for both adults and children.
- Keep cords and plugs dry: If your inflatable has an electric blower, ensure that the power cords and plugs are kept dry and away from water to prevent electrical accidents.
- Regularly inspect for wear: Check your inflatable and its securing components for signs of wear and tear, and replace any damaged parts promptly to maintain stability and safety.
What should I do if my inflatable keeps falling over despite using stakes and anchors?
If your inflatable keeps falling over despite using stakes and anchors, you should check anchor placement. Ensure the stakes are properly positioned at the right angles. Next, add more weight; use water weights or sandbags on the inflatable's base for added stability. Try different locations to find a spot with less wind or a flatter surface. And lastly, contact the manufacturer for specialized advice on stabilizing your inflatable.
