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Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips from Resurgens Orthopaedics

Resurgens Orthopaedics

As you begin to prepare for the spookiest holiday of the year, surely a trip to the local pumpkin patch is in order—after all, no haunted house is complete without a grinning orange face on the porch steps! Jack-o’-lantern carving is one of the oldest and most cherished of Halloween traditions; however, if not undertaken with caution, it can be quite dangerous.

A study published in the 2010 journal Pediatrics found that Halloween is ranked fourth in holidays with the most ER visits. Unsurprisingly, a large proportion of these visits are for finger and hand injuries suffered as a result of pumpkin carving.

Since pumpkin carving continues to be such a popular fall activity year after year, it is important to be aware of how to safely partake in the beloved holiday tradition. To avoid a visit to the ER this Halloween, keep these tips in mind:

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· Always be sure that you are carving your pumpkin in a safe, clean, and well-lit area.

· If your children are below the age of 14, don’t let them carve on their own. The same Pediatrics study found that children between the ages of 10-14 suffer more injuries while pumpkin carving than any other age group.

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· Purchase a pumpkin-carving kit specifically made for children. The tools in these kits are smaller and easier to control than a standard kitchen knife. Pumpkin-carving kits can be found at most craft stores.

· Stabilize the pumpkin with one hand to avoid slipping and grazing yourself with the knife.

· Cut away from yourself rather than towards yourself.

· Carve very slowly, and saw through the pumpkin rather than slice.

· Use a battery-operated light or glow sticks rather than a candle when leaving your pumpkin lit overnight.

Remember, if you DO sustain an injury while carving a pumpkin, it is important to apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding and contact a healthcare professional if necessary.

Happy pumpkin carving!

Resurgens Orthopaedics, Georgia’s largest orthopaedic practice, has 21 offices and six surgery centers throughout metro Atlanta. With 96 physicians, Resurgens provides specialized expertise and broad experience in the areas of sports medicine, joint replacement, neck and back surgery, foot and ankle surgery, shoulder and elbow surgery, non-operative spine care, hand surgery, arthroscopic surgery, epidural steroid injection, general orthopaedics, and trauma care. Resurgens provides comprehensive musculoskeletal care in a single location, from injury diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation services. Learn more at www.resurgens.com.

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