You put a lot of time and effort into carving that pumpkin. How to make it last longer...

Carving a pumpkin can be great fun – and hard work...

There are a few steps you can take to discourage pumpkin rot and make it last a week longer:

• Freeze your pumpkin first. Leave it in the fridge for a half a day and then let it thaw. The freezing method will delay decomposition.

• Pumpkin pre-wash: It’s covered in bacteria and fungus. Wash all of the dirt off and then spray your gourd inside and out with a bleach and water solution and let it dry. Lemon juice works too.

• Once you’re finished carving, give all exposed and cut surfaces a layer of petroleum jelly.

• If you’re displaying your jack-o-lantern outside, try to find a spot that is out of direct sunlight. You might want to bring it inside at night - lots of nocturnal critters love to snack on pumpkin.