When choosing a pumpkin for carving do, be sure to:

Examine the rind. It should be firm, uniform in color, and free of cuts, bruises, and blemishes.

Make sure that the stem doesn’t look brown and dry. And don’t use the stem as a handle, since even a healthy one can break off. Pick up a pumpkin by its base instead.

Give the pumpkin a knock. A thumping sound means the pumpkin is solid, with no internal defects, rot, or soft spots.