How to Secure Inflatables in Wind (and Keep Them Looking Great)

There's nothing sadder than a 12-foot ghost face-planted on the lawn. Yard inflatables are one of the easiest ways to make a big holiday statement, but they're also big, light and full of air, which makes them a favorite toy for the wind. The good news: with a little setup and some smart habits, your inflatables can stay upright, bright and happy all season long.

Here's our practical guide to anchoring, caring for and storing your blow-ups.

Why Inflatables Need Extra Anchoring

An inflatable works a bit like a sail. Its fan keeps it filled with air, and all that fabric surface catches every gust that comes along. Taller pieces catch more wind, and wide pieces can get pushed or rolled. That's why nearly every inflatable ships with some combination of stakes, ropes and weights. Using all of them, every time, is the single best thing you can do.

Pick the Right Spot First

Anchoring starts before you open the box.

• Look for shelter. A spot beside the house, a fence or a row of shrubs gets less wind than the middle of an open lawn.
• Choose soft, level ground. Stakes hold best in grass and soil. Avoid slopes where the inflatable can lean.
• Give it clearance. Keep inflatables away from roads, driveways where cars turn, grills, fire pits and anything sharp, like rose bushes or fence points.
• Plan the power. Place the inflatable close enough to an outdoor outlet that you won't need to stretch a cord across the walkway.
• Mind the blower. Make sure the fan intake isn't sitting in a pile of leaves, and don't cover it with decor. It needs clear airflow to keep the inflatable filled.

Stakes: Your First Line of Defense

Ground stakes hold the base of the inflatable to the ground. Use every stake loop, and push stakes in at a slight angle, leaning away from the inflatable, so they resist pulling. If the ground is hard, water the spot first to soften it. If it's very soft or sandy, longer stakes or extra weight can help.

Check out what comes in the box on a few of our favorites:

• The 9 ft Inflatable Pumpkin-Head Ghost includes 7 stakes, 3 drawstrings and 3 sandbags.
• The Inflatable Halloween Archway includes 8 ground stakes and 4 tie-down ropes.
• The 12 ft Inflatable White Ghost includes stakes and ropes to hold it steady.

A Nine-Foot Jack-o'-Lantern Ghost Rises Tonight

9 ft Inflatable Pumpkin-Head Ghost with LED Lights

$57.99MSRP $68.45

12 Feet of Ghost. Zero Chance They Miss Your House.

12 ft Inflatable White Ghost with LED Lights

$87.99MSRP $140.40

Turn Your Driveway Into a Haunted Gateway

Inflatable Halloween Archway with Ghost, Pumpkin, Spider & Bat, LED Lit

$167.99MSRP $270.36

Tethers: Keep Tall Pieces From Tipping

Stakes hold the bottom. Tethers (the ropes attached higher up) keep the top from swaying and tipping. They matter most on tall inflatables.

1. Inflate the piece fully before attaching ropes, so you can see how it stands.
2. Run each rope out at an angle and stake it into the ground a few feet away from the base.
3. Space the ropes evenly around the inflatable so it's pulled equally in every direction.
4. Tighten until the ropes are snug but not straining. Over-tight ropes can pull the inflatable out of shape.
5. Recheck the tension after the first day, since ropes and soil can settle.

If a rope crosses an area where people walk, mark it with something visible or reroute it. Tethers are easy to trip over in the dark.

Sandbags and Water Bags: Weight Where Stakes Can't Go

Not every spot takes a stake. Patios, porches, decks and driveways need weight instead. That's where sandbags and water bags come in.

Several of our inflatables include them. The 7 ft Inflatable Pumpkin Patch with Witch's Cat comes with ground stakes, ropes and built-in sandbags. The 6 ft Inflatable Black Cat includes ground stakes, ropes and water bags. The 8 ft Inflatable Haunted Tree comes with 2 ropes, 2 ground stakes and 3 sandbags.

Even on grass, using the weights along with the stakes gives you extra holding power on gusty days.

A Whole Pumpkin Patch That Sets Up in 60 Seconds

7 ft Inflatable Pumpkin Patch with Witch's Cat, LED Lit

$84.99MSRP $169.00

Six Feet of Black Cat Is Crossing Your Path

6 ft Inflatable Black Cat with LED Lights

$62.99MSRP $89.99

A Grinning Dead Tree Hosting a Ghostly Party

8 ft Inflatable Haunted Tree with Ghosts, Owl and Pumpkins

$86.99MSRP $139.88

Use a Timer (Your Inflatables Will Thank You)

An outdoor-rated plug-in timer is one of the handiest tools for any inflatable display.

• It saves effort. Your display turns on at dusk and off at bedtime without you running outside.
• It limits wear. Fewer running hours means less time for fabric and fans to be out in the elements.
• It avoids overnight surprises. Winds often change overnight, and an inflatable that's switched off and deflated is far less likely to wander.

When the inflatable powers down, it will slowly deflate and settle onto the ground. That's normal. Just make sure it isn't settling onto anything sharp or wet and muddy.

When Storms Roll In

Here's the golden rule: if strong wind, heavy rain or snow is on the way, deflate first and ask questions later.

• Check the forecast daily while your display is up.
• Unplug and let the inflatable deflate before a storm hits, rather than hoping the stakes will hold.
• For big storms, bring it inside or into the garage.
• After rain, let the inflatable run for a while to help dry it out before you pack it away.
• Look over the fabric, seams and cord after any rough weather.

Always use outdoor-rated extension cords, keep plug connections off the ground and out of puddles, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific inflatable.

Short on Yard (or Lots of Wind)? Try These

If your home sits on an exposed lot, consider decor that's easier to secure.

Window inflatables are a clever option. The 3.9 ft Inflatable Window Ghost includes 3 suction cups, a drawstring and a storage bag. The 4 ft Inflatable Window Ghost Grabbed by a Green Claw also includes 3 suction cups and a drawstring, plus a 9.8 ft power cable.

Prefer something that isn't full of air? The Standing Lighted Pumpkin Stack is wind, rain and snow resistant and includes 4 metal ground stakes.

A Ghost in a Purple Hat, Caught Mid-Escape

3.9 ft Inflatable Window Ghost with LED Lights

$37.99MSRP $42.15

Something Green Is Grabbing the Ghost in Your Window

4 ft Inflatable Window Ghost Grabbed by a Green Claw with LED

$61.99MSRP $98.96

The Jack-o'-Lanterns That Never Go Soggy

Standing Lighted Pumpkin Stack with 150 LEDs

$78.99MSRP $119.68

Storing Inflatables After the Season

A little care at takedown means your inflatables look just as good next year.

1. Dry it completely. Never pack a damp inflatable. Moisture can lead to mildew and odors.
2. Brush off debris. Remove leaves, grass and dirt before folding.
3. Deflate fully. Some inflatables make this easy. The 6 ft Inflatable Black Cat has a bottom zipper for quick deflation.
4. Fold loosely. Gentle folds are easier on the fabric than tight rolls.
5. Keep the parts together. Store stakes, ropes and bags with the inflatable so nothing goes missing.
6. Pick a cool, dry spot. A labeled bin in a closet or garage shelf works well.

Ready to Build Your Display?

Now that you know how to keep them standing, it's time for the fun part. Browse our outdoor Halloween decorations, see what's trending on our hot sellers page, or get layout inspiration from our Halloween porch decorating ideas.

Orders ship from US warehouses and usually arrive in 5-10 business days, with free shipping on orders over $99 in the lower 48 and 30-day returns. Details are on our shipping page. Here's to a season with zero face-planting ghosts!