Carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns an age-old Halloween tradition. However, it can turn into a plumbing nightmare if the pulp and seeds go down the garbage disposal.

With the usual increase in clogged kitchen sink drains and jammed garbage disposals plumbers see this time of year, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is already prepared for the spike in calls. 

"We stay busy during Halloween because people don’t realize the pumpkin’s stringy, slimy substance hardens and sticks to the pipes,” said Glenn Gallas of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Central Arkansas. “Our service professionals are on call 24/7, so we can repair the plumbing emergency and get our customers back to their Halloween activities and guests.”

The trick to keeping pumpkin pulp and seeds from causing plumbing problems is being cautious when removing and disposing of the remains.

Mr.

It's nearly fall, and the weather's getting cooler. That means all the critters who may normally hang around outside - such as ants, mice and spiders - will be looking to move into warmer spaces. Like your home.

So how can you get make sure these uninvited guests don't just come in and make themselves at home? Terminix has a few tips:

• Move piles of firewood and other debris away from the home’s foundation. Both provide ample sources of shelter for rodents and other pests and could encourage them to live near the home.
• Seal any holes or cracks in your home’s exterior. Rodents can squeeze through openings smaller than ¼ inch, and spiders, roaches and other pests need even less room than that. Large openings should be stuffed with steel wool or wire mesh before sealing with caulk.
• Ensure attic and foundation vents are equipped with tight-fitting ¼ inch hardware cloth.

PINE BLUFF, Ark. -- Memorial Day weekend is just days away, and the traditional start of summer fun will begin. But fun and joyous occasions are all too frequently turned into tragedy with accidental injuries and fire. Sadly, many of these tragedies could have been avoided if very basic safety tips were followed.

This Memorial Day weekend, residential and community swimming pools will be opening and many grills will be ignited. The men and women of Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services (PBFES) want to keep you safe from the perils of fire and injury, and remind you to keep these basic safety tips in mind as you venture out this weekend and for the remainder of the summer.

Every summer, people are seriously injured by grill fires or explosions caused by outdoor grilling. Preventing these accidents is easy by following a few easy, but important precautions.