Food Safety Experts: Do NOT Eat The Pumpkins You Carved This Year!

Halloween is fast approaching, with many families setting up all kinds of spooky decor around their home. Of course, the most timeless fixture of any Halloween house is the pumpkins you carve into jack-o-lanterns. But once the haunting holiday ends, what are you to do with your carved-up pumpkins, eat them?

Yes, one method of pumpkin disposal seems pretty obvious: just eat it, right? After all, pumpkin can be used for several delicious fall-inspired recipes, and it seems like an efficient, utilitarian way to get rid of your jack-o-lantern without creating waste. However, according to many health and food safety experts, you should NOT do this.

Many experts spoke with HuffPost about the dangers of consuming a pumpkin you used for Halloween.  Kimberly Baker, a food systems and safety program team director at Clemson University, explains the dangers clearly. "The longer the pumpkin is at room temperature, the more pathogens that grow and can make someone sick if they were to eat the pumpkin."

It's also noted in the article that we rarely follow proper food-handling procedures when carving pumpkins, i.e. washing hands and using clean tools. This should be taken into consideration when deciding if you should eat your leftover pumpkin.

It also doesn't seem to matter if you keep your jack-o-lantern inside or outside, as Baker explains. "Pathogens can come from any contact surface, inside or outside, and cause the pumpkin to become contaminated."

However, there are certain measures you can take to make it safer to eat your gutted gourd. For instance, if you decorate your pumpkin without cutting into it - like drawing or painting its surface rather than carving  - it should be ok to eat.

Another thing you can do with your carved Halloween pumpkins is save its seeds and roast and eat them. Pumpkin seeds are ok to eat if the seeds are immediately washed and/or refrigerated before consuming.

It's never too early to start planning an exciting winter getaway, especially since the most popular winter vacation spots get booked up quickly. The good news, though, is that most people take vacations in the summer, so traveling in the winter can be a bit more relaxing. You are also able to usually find better travel rates during the winter season, except during the holidays. If you don't have to travel during the holidays, just don't, because it's a mess. So, what are the best winter getaways in the U.S.? North Carolina has one of them.

I've researched some of the most popular winter vacation destinations in hopes of finding the perfect spot. The following list includes not just sunny, warm getaways, but also some areas that people who love snow can enjoy. Honestly, many people who live in a warm climate like to flock to a snowy location for a bit during the winter to get that seasonal experience, even if that seems counter intuitive. Of course, those who live in the northern parts of America love to go to a warm spot and get away from their daily lives filled with snow and ice.

I'm a Michigan girl, so I'm very familiar with the cold and ice in the winter. Not that I like it. Each year, I say I'm going to escape, even if it's just for a few days, to a warmer location. But, I never do. Maybe this year will be different. Looking at vacation rates, it's fairly easy to find some good deals, again, if it's not during the holiday travel season. Read on for some of the bets winter getaways in the U.S., based on my research. What's your favorite winter vacation spot? Reach out to me on social media here and let me know. Have a fantastic winter, and stay warm.

If you're looking for a mild getaway, Savannah, Georgia, is a great choice. It's pretty mild in the winter, so not too cold or too hot. The Historic District is a popular winter vacation spot, too.

https://visitsavannah.com/

The beautiful area of Asheville, North Carolina, has plenty of gorgeous snowfall, and it's less dangerous than many other areas with snowfall. Lately, Asheville has one up in population, but it's still a popular tourist destination. One choice spot is the French Broad River, with lots of winter activities, breweries and restaurants.

https://www.exploreasheville.com/

If you want to enjoy a winter vacation and learn about history, Philadelphia is a great vacation spot. Sure, it's won't be like sunny Florida. But, Philly has lots of great museums and historical spots to enjoy indoors, while staying toasty.

https://www.visitphilly.com/

I know what you're thinking. Why go to Michigan in the winter? Well, if you love snow, then it's worth the trip. Traverse City, Michigan, is a quaint town, but it's big enough to have lots of things to do and places to stay. It's also cold in the winter but not as cold as, say the Dakotas.

https://www.traversecity.com/

If you want to get away from the snow and ice, go to Key West, Florida. It's considered one of the finest tropical spots in the U.S. during the winter months. Soak up the sun and have a margarita, because why not?

https://keywest.com/