Measure your outdoor space and choose a Hanukkah inflatable that will fit into your decorating scheme without making your yard look crowded. Consider its height, width and depth. Leave enough space between inflatables so they won’t bump into each other if they sway in the wind. Keep them away from tree branches or anything else that could catch or tear their fabric shells. Allow for some clearance around each inflatable in your display, so there’s nothing nearby to cause damage it if happens to tip over.

Keep the inflatable near an electrical outlet. You’ll probably need an outdoor extension cord to plug it in.

Make sure there’s nothing around the fan that comes with your inflatable that might obstruct the air flow, so your decoration will blow up properly and the fan won’t be overworked. Make sure that your fan and the plug will not come in contact with water to prevent damage to your decoration. Unroll the inflatable so it’s flat on the ground before inflating it.

Once you’ve inflated your decoration, use the included tethers to stake it, following the directions. These will help keep it grounded when strong winds blow.

Most inflatable yard decorations are made from durable, waterproof nylon or other synthetic materials, so they can resist rain. For best results, keep them out of low areas where puddles form. Keep them clean by avoiding locations where mud might splash on them when it rains. If your inflatable stops working or works intermittently during bad weather, unplug it and take it inside to dry until the weather improves.

If your inflatable deflates in winter rain or snow, let it thaw completely before trying to inflate it again. If you need to repair or patch your inflatable, consider using duct tape or clear, heavy duty packaging tape. If you can apply the tape from inside the inflatable, it will be less noticeable.

Keep the box and packaging your inflatable came in. Store all the pieces in the box at the end of the season, and you won’t have to search for them or buy replacements next year. Read the manufacturer’s instructions to see if you should close any zippers or vents before you put your decoration away.

If your original packaging is missing, use a storage bin with a lid that fits snugly. Put the manual and small parts in plastic bags and add them to the bin. Label the bin so you won’t forget what’s inside and keep it in a cool, dry location. The next time you take out the inflatable, check again for tears, rips or holes and repair them.