Carve with care

A well turned-out jack-o'-lantern can light up a doorway or windowsill and beckon to roving trick-or-treaters. But pumpkin carving is not child's play. To get that sinister grin requires a good, sharp knife and a steady hand.

  • Keep children out of the way of the cutting tasks. Adults only! Have your child draw the face they'd like onto a sheet of paper for you to carve.
  • Carve pumpkins on a stable, flat surface, with good lighting.
  • Once you have the top of your pumpkin opened up, invite kids over to scoop out the goopy pumpkin guts with their hands. It's a fun, sticky job that kids love.
  • Save the seeds for roasting. They're full of iron and protein and make a healthy pre-trick-or-treat snack.
  • Snuff out candles. Foot traffic around a porch pumpkin can be a fire hazard. Glow-sticks or a battery-powered LED light or electric candle may not have the traditional flicker of a candle, but they're safer. If you do choose to light your pumpkin with a candle, keep it away from curtains and other flammable objects, and never leave a candle unattended.
  • Keep your pets away from any of your Halloween decorations and trick-or-treaters, as pets can become over-excited, and possibly knock something over or hurt someone they do not recognize coming to their door.
  • All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2023. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Halloween-Health-and-Safety