[deadcalm]

My fds and I are carving pumpkins. Obviously it's my 1st time. My question is that after we finishing carving the pumpkin and gutting it out, is it safe to just place a candle inside?

FYI: The pumpkin will remain indoors.

[crick]

Yes, as long as you have enough holes from your carving, you should be fine. I always drip a little melted wax on the bottom and then put the tea light candle on that so it sticks.

Another fun thing to do is rub in a bit of nutmeg & cinnamon on the bottom of the lid you cut out and when the candle lights, it makes it smell yummy.

[Stormster]

we plan on putting a tiny votive (tea light) in there. I think with the moisture it's fine. I know of others who use LED lights but we don't have those.

I would also make sure the votive or small candle is in some kind of holder or even foil just in case it burns down and through.

BTW there are some great carving videos on You Tube (just an fyi) i'm going to take a look later!

[DianeS]

Candles should be supervised when lit, including those inside pumpkins. There's always the possibility the pumpkin can catch on fire. It's a small possibility, though, since the inside of the pumpkin is so wet.

Some hints:
Use as short a candle as possible - those tea lights are great for this.
Only have the candle lit when you're in the room, and blow it out whenever you leave the room, even if its just to go to the bathroom.
Whenever you blow out the candle, check the "lid" part of the pumpkin to see if it's getting dark from the smoke. If it is, it's drying out and you should limit the times you light the candle. (Yes, you can use the candle with the lid off, but then it doesn't shine through the face as much so what's the point? And the place where the lid sits drys out that much faster if its not covered, making those places more likely to catch on fire, without the black marks to warn you.)

And as always, battery operated lights are much more safe than candles. Try those light sticks you can get at the dollar store. No muss, no flame, the light lasts hours, no danger of fire.

Hope that helps!

[Nevada Jen]

I also usually cut a very small hole in the lid (like a chimney). That way the heat can escape.

[jp4ga]

Love the idea of putting spices in it to make it smell yummy.