Pumpkin pulp: Be afraid, be very afraid

CINCINNATI, Ohio (WDTN) - A word of caution from your friendly Roto-Rooter man this Halloween - beware of the pumpkin pulp.

Pumpkin pulp should never be put down drains or into garbage disposals. The slimy gunk is ideal for clogging sink drains.

"It's stringy and sticky and when it dries and hardens it will choke-off drainpipes and garbage disposals creating all sorts of havoc." said Larry Rothman, plumbing director for Cincinnati-based Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Service. "People think that when they shove the pulp down kitchen sink drain that it's gone but in a little while the sink usually stops draining altogether."

And Rothman cautions, "the toilet is not a better option. It just means the clog forms a little further down the pipe."

To prevent Halloween drain disasters, Rothman suggests carving pumpkins far from away from the sink on a bed of newspaper. Then carvers should wrap up the mess and throw all pumpkin-related materials into the garbage can or into a compost pile. And rinsing the pulp off your hands over the kitchen sink is also a bad idea. Use the outside faucet instead.

The pumpkin seeds can be separated and roasted for a tasty treat or they can be air-dried and planted in the spring after the last frost to grow next year's Halloween pumpkins.