Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips
Well it is that time of the year again and if your little ones
are anything like mine, they are probably getting pretty excited
about carving pumpkins. Pumpkin carving is a very entertaining
hobby but as with most hobbies you need to take precautions so
that you and your little ones have a fun and safe experience.
Here are a few recommended safety tips so that everyone has a
happy and fun filled Halloween.
Artificial Lights Looking for a safe and secure way to
light your pumpkin? Artificial lights make great alternatives
for candles. Wal-Mart and many other great stores have
inexpensive battery operated lights that are designed
specifically for pumpkins. If you are unable to find the battery
operated lights there are also pumpkin lights out there that you
can plug into a wall. Just cut a notch out of the back of the
pumpkin that allows you to run the electrical cord to the wall.
Sharp tools safety We all probably already know that
sharp tools like saws and knives are needed to carve pumpkins
and that taking precautions when using the tools is a necessity.
However, with that being said, if you have little ones that are
going to get involved with the carvings this year, extra
precaution needs to be taken.
The general rule here is safety first. Always supervise your
young ones if you feel that they are old enough to participate
with the actual carvings this year. Just remember to take your
time when carving and be mindful of the sharp tools.
Properly gutting the pumpkin One of the most important
safety tips is to make sure that the pumpkin has been gutted
properly. You want to insure that there is not any hanging pulp
inside the pumpkin that could possible catch on fire (especially
if the pumpkin was dried out).
Candle safety Here are a few safety tips you may want to
use if you plan to use candles in your pumpkin.
1. Never leave the lit candle unintended.
2. Create a chimney in the pumpkin - Basically a chimney is a
hole that is cutout from the pumpkin's upper back. The function
of the chimney is to create an area that allows the heat from
the candle's flame to escape from the pumpkin.
3. Place the candles in a glass jar and the glass jar inside the
pumpkin. The glass jar should provide additional stability for
the candle. 4. When you gut the pumpkin, make sure that the
bottom of the pumpkin is completely flat. This will provide a
more secure base to put the candle on.
5. Cut the bottom of the pumpkin out verses the top; you can
place the candle on the floor and sit the pumpkin over it. If
you do decide to cutout the bottom of the pumpkin, make sure
that you are placing the candle on a secure floor that does not
have a chance of catching on fire.
6. Never use a candle in an artificial pumpkin. They are
flammable and artificial light should be used when lighting the
pumpkin.
Carving pumpkins is a fun activity for the entire family. I few
extra safety steps can help insure that everyone has a fun and
safe holiday.