Carving pumpkins is too scary for Halloween: Health-and-safety campaigners urge children to PAINT them to avoid using knives (and beware putting ‘deadly’ candles inside too)
- Health and Safety experts say parents should not carve Halloween pumpkins
- Carving a pumpkin presents a cutting risk while using candles could cause fire
- Experts advise using glow in the dark paints instead of cutting open a pumpkin
- NHS chiefs also advise using reflective clothes while trick or treating after dark
Parents have been warned against giving their children knives to carve out pumpkins or use naked flames because of the possibility of fire.
Instead, health and safety experts recommend that people use glow-in-the-dark paint instead of knives and candles to have a safer Halloween experience.
Kate Elgood, who is an artist and a mother said she considered the risks when it came to her five-year-old son, Max.
Parents have been encouraged to allow their children to paint pumpkins instead of carving them with knives to reduce the risk of harm
Youngsters can cut themselves if using a knife to carve a pumpkin. Also a lighted candle presents a potential fire risk
The East of England NHS ambulance service advised parents to supervise their children while out trick or treating and to ensure they can be seen if it gets dark
She told The Telegraph: ‘Halloween has become so popular but obviously you’re not going to let your little ones loose with a carving knife.
‘It evolved really from wanting to be creative with my little one on Halloween but not wanting to give him any sort of dangerous tools.’
Actress Reese Witherspoon shared photographs of her artwork on her social media feeds. She said: ‘Not all pumpkins have to be carved.’
The NHS East of England Ambulance Service has recommended that parents take adequate care of their children when enjoying Halloween.
According to a spokesperson: ‘Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat!
‘Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. Always test face paint and makeup in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
‘Never walk near lit candles or flames and be sure to check your costume is flame-resistant!• Always make sure children are accompanied by an adult. Never let them go out alone.
‘Try to stay close to your home and stay in streets that you all know so you can easily navigate in the dark. Children try to wear something reflective in their costume, or carry a torch or glowstick, to ensure they can be seen in the dark.’