Carve a Safer Jack-o-Lantern

Whittling pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns is a time-honored Halloween tradition, creative and fun for grown-ups and kids alike. However, any activity combining children, knives and fire must be carefully supervised.

Keep these safety tips in mind when it comes to paring and decorating your rotund orange gourds, and a happy and healthy Halloween will be had by all.

• Choose a good-sized pumpkin. Larger pumpkins are easier to carve than smaller ones.

• Place the pumpkin on a sturdy, flat surface before beginning.

• Children under age 5 should never be allowed to carve a pumpkin, cautions the American Association of Pediatrics. Encourage younger kids to draw a pattern on the pumpkin, but leave the carving to adults.

• Kids between ages 5 to 10 can use pumpkin cutters with safety bars.

• Whether you use kitchen utensils or buy a pumpkin carving kit, knives should be sharp, thin and flexible. A long, thin knife is good for cutting the top hole in the pumpkin and cutting pieces out of the jack-o-lantern face. Smaller paring knives work best for detail work.

• When removing pumpkin pulp and seeds, use a flat-sided ice cream scoop--NOT a knife.

• To make the pumpkin easier to cut through, scrape the inside where the face will be till it's about 1-inch thick.

• Place a small votive candle in glass holder in the pumpkin to reduce fire risk.

• Keep pumpkins far from curtains and flammable objects, and don't leave them unattended.