Pumpkin Display SAFETY

10/16/2019 (Permalink)

Have a safe and fun Halloween.

Deck, Patio, or Porch Safety

When our jack-o'-lanterns are ready for display, we often set them out on decks, patios, or porches. In so doing, we may be unwittingly inviting rodents and stinging insects to the home, as these pests are drawn to the now exposed soft inner flesh of the jack-o'-lanterns. Of the two, the insects are the more dangerous if you're allergic to hornet or yellow jacket stings. To counteract the threat, set out insect traps.

As carved pumpkins begin to rot (they can do so quite rapidly), the issue of their slipperiness again becomes a cause for concern. The problem is now exacerbated by the proximity of the carved pumpkins to doors leading inside from decks, patios, or porches. One morning, without watching where you're going, you could open the door, begin to descend the porch stairs, step on a piece of rotted jack-o'-lantern flesh, and take a nasty spill. Worse yet, a stranger could take a similar spill on your porch and sue you.

Illuminating Carved Pumpkins

Further safety issues arise when your intent is to illuminate carved pumpkins. Candles have been used traditionally to illuminate jack-o'-lanterns. But the open flame of a candle poses a fire hazard. If you're going to illuminate carved pumpkins on your deck, patio, or porch using candles, take these safety precautions:

• Don't leave them unattended.
• Be thorough in your leaf removal efforts, so there'll be less flammable material around to catch fire.
• Don't leave them on your deck, patio, or porch during trick-or-treating hours, as kids' costumes may be flammable.

A safer option for illuminating jack-o'-lanterns is to use glow sticks, which can be bought at party supply stores. With glow sticks, there are no flame, cord, or batteries to worry about, and they're waterproof. To activate them, bend them to break the internal glass capsule.