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Halloween isn’t complete without carving pumpkins with your little
ghosts and goblins.
But it can turn ghoulish if she gets her hands on the carving
tools.
“Young kids should not be using cutting instruments at all,” says
John Cowden, MD, pediatrician at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and
Clinics. “Even the plastic saws advertised as the safe alternative have
teeth that can cause an injury.”
He can poke himself on the teeth and sharp points on the carving
tools or hurt someone else. Your child can still be hands on by helping
you clean out the insides of the pumpkin.
Dr. Cowden says kids can be creative in ways other than carving:
- Markers or paint: She can draw or paint faces on the pumpkin
- Construction paper and glue: He can draw lips, eyes and
nose. You can cut them out and help him glue them on the
pumpkin.
- Light up pegs: She can push light up pegs in the pumpkin for a
glow without the flame.
If you do decided to carve a traditional jack-o-lantern, consider a
glow stick or battery operated light. Dr. Cowden says be cautious with
candles.
"A short, stubby candle is least likely to fall over,” Dr. Cowden
says. “Putting the candle in a glass jar can also help in avoiding
pumpkin fires, as can a well-cleaned pumpkin. Most importantly, never
leave a jack-o-lantern with a lit candle unsupervised where children
might reach it.”
