Black lights are a great addition to your Halloween haunt and displays.

What is black light? If you turn on a black light bulb in a dark room, what you can see from the bulb is a purplish glow. What you cannot see is the  ultraviolet light that the bulb is also producing. Our eyes can see the visible light in a spectrum ranging from red through orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. Above violet is ultraviolet light, which we cannot see.

What you see glowing under a black light, whether it is a fluorescent poster, something you've painted with fluorescent paint or a newly-washed white T-shirt, is different phosphors. A phosphor, is any substance that emits visible light in response to some sort of radiation. In other words, a phosphor converts the energy in the radiation into visible light.

So a fluorescent paint contains a phosphor that converts UV radiation into a specific color of visible light. Normal colors simply reflect light, but a fluorescent color absorbs the radiation and re-emits it in the visible spectrum, sort of like a light bulb emits light, so it looks much brighter than a normal color.

Black light units and there accompanying bulbs come in a variety of sizes, anywhere from six inches to four feet in length. Most are AC powered, but you can also get some of the smaller ones in battery powered.

Costumes and masks that have glow-in-the-dark (fluorescent) properties make a great addition to your black light haunt.

The Totally Skele-Bones costume available from Fun World has very realistic looking sculpted bones that glow in the dark, which makes them perfect for use under black lights. For more information on these great costumes and some spooky ways of using them see our Skele-bones article in the Makeup & Costumes section.

Positioning black lights - Since UV light is not very strong and doesn't travel very far its important to use the right strength/size blacks lights to illuminate your Halloween props, decorations, etc. Use smalls (18" to 24") lights on smaller area and displays where you can position the unit(s) close. Use larger 4 foot units to cover large areas, scenes and props. Whenever possible the black light unit should be positioned and/or camouflaged so that it cannot be seen by your visitors.

As with any electrical device, care must be taken to protect against electrocution and accidents. Make sure that the cord is hidden from view and positioned where it won't be tripped over or snagged by feet. No electrical fixture should be used outdoors if the weather is bad, i.e. raining, very high humidity, etc.

BLACK LIGHT TIPS & TRICKS

A really cool, easy and cheap effect for your graveyard or somewhere in your haunt if you are using a black light is to get the biggest leaves you have laying around in your yard and spray paint them with fluorescent paint, let dry and then scatter around your ghouls or tombstones and when you turn on your black light -PRESTO - your leaves will glow brightly and you'll actually be able to see them!

Painting your props with this invisible fluorescent paint will make them glow eerily under black lights enhancing there overall effect. See how we've used it in our Giant Spider Web articles. You can also use it on Halloween signs, Costumes, Masks, skeletons, bats and other decorations. Paint plaster or plastic skulls with fluorescent paint and display in your graveyard, on fence posts, etc.