SAFETY MOMENT: Keep Your Pumpkins Grounded This Halloween!

It’s the most gourd-geous time of year! The air is crisp, the leaves are crunchy, and pumpkins are popping up everywhere — from porches to pies. But before you get too smashing with your fall festivities, here’s a little safety spell to remember: Pumpkin Chunkin’ is a big no-no in Scouting!

That’s right — while catapults, slingshots, and air cannons may sound like a spook-tacular way to launch your jack-o’-lanterns sky-high, the Guide to Safe Scouting says, “Hold your horses… or your trebuchets.” Mechanical pumpkin launching is not an approved activity. Turns out, flying gourds can lead to some seriously scary results.

Instead, keep your pumpkins where they belong — on the ground and in one piece. Carve them, paint them, or turn them into the world’s best pumpkin bread, but please don’t send them soaring into the stratosphere.

And remember, even during frightfully fun times, the S.A.F.E. principles keep us all out of the danger zone:

• Supervision: A good leader keeps an eye out — no need for a crystal ball.

• Assessment: Spot the risks before they go bump in the night.

• Fitness & Skill: Only tackle activities within your skill level — not your witch level.

• Equipment & Environment: Choose tools and settings that won’t make you scream (unless it’s for fun).

So have a fang-tastic Halloween, stay boo-tifully safe, and keep those pumpkins planted — not propelled!