pumpkin carving safety tips

​Halloween kicks off the holiday season with a massive amount of creativity, and there is nothing better than carving a pumpkin to show off your talent and spirit!

Carving  a  pumpkin  is  a  tradition  that  dates  back  to  1895... ​

when an article on Thanksgiving entertaining recommended a lit jack-o’-lantern as part of the festivities. It was even associated with the harvest season long before it became a symbol of Halloween. So it’s a friends and family tradition dating well over 100 years old, one that we all look forward to each year. 

BUT   BEWARE!  

With every sport, there is a cost, and pumpkin carving has its dangers!  There are 4,500 Halloween-related injuries each year, and 41% of those injuries are when JACK bites back.  ​

Ouch! 

Halloween is one of the busiest holidays for emergency room staff, and we can thank pumpkin carving for almost half of that!  Here are a few safety tips we thought of to help make your experience smooth: ​

1.​ WAX ON, WAX OFF

Before you start, make sure your pumpkin is washed and dried. Sometimes there are chemicals and residue on the pumpkin that can make the surface of your pumpkin a bit slippery. Washing your pumpkin will eliminate any slipping hands, plus your sharpie will stick to the surface much better as you draw out your stencil.

2. ​ LEAVE THE KITCHEN TOOLS ALONE 

We recommend using a pumpkin carving kit. They are safer than your kitchen tools and easier to handle too.  You are no Gordon Ramsay; stick with the equipment! 

3. TAKE YOUR TIME 

​Carving a pumpkin is not an easy task. You’ll have to remember to be patient during the process. Take your time and make sure you are carving with control. A little TLC goes a long way.

​4. LIGHT THE CANDLE, NOT YOUR SKIN

To eliminate any potential burns, carve a hole at the bottom of the pumpkin instead of the top so you can lift the pumpkin down onto the candle without having to reach your hand inside. 

5. ​WAIT TO GUT THE PUMPKIN

Don’t cut a hole in the top or bottom of the pumpkin until you finish carving. That way, you won’t be tempted to put your hand inside and cut toward your hand. 

 We hope these simple safety tips allow you to relax and enjoy the tradition of carving your very own jack-o-lantern.
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Have a happy halloween!