Halloween pumpkin-carving safety

October 28, 11:29 PMBaltimore Family Health ExaminerNancy Eason

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Halloween carved pumpkin
Nancy Eason

The Halloween tradition of pumpkin carving can be mighty scary. Reaching inside the opening and feeling the slimy mass of fibers and seeds can send some folks flying out the door. Before embarking on this ritual,  families need to learn about the other scary aspects of pumpkin carving -- the ones that can result in injury.

Children aren't the only ones who enjoy Halloween. The excitement is contagious and can strike anyone in the family. However, Halloween holiday revelry may lead one to let down one's guard, resulting in an unwanted injury. This is especially true with pumpkin carving. Luckily, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has issued steps for having a safe Halloween for trick-or-treaters, pumpkin carvers and costume designers.

"When children get excited about a holiday that involves candy, they may be less cautious than usual," says orthopaedic surgeon Charles Blitzer, MD, spokesperson for the AAOS. "Also, Halloween tends to encourage unruly behavior, so parents and other caregivers need to be especially vigilant to ensure that kids follow basic safety guidelines whether they are pumpkin carving or trick-or-treating."

"Pumpkin-carving can result in serious lacerations to the hand and also injuries to bones and tendons, if certain precautions are not taken," notes AAOS's press release of October 12, 2009.  Despite the fact that Baltimore has the premier Curtis National Hand Center at the Union Memorial Hospital with 12 outstanding surgeons on staff doesn't mean that Baltimoreans can skip on pumpkin carving precautions. Pumpkin-carving is best left to older family members to prevent injuries. Children can still participate by helping to scoop out the seeds and wet fibers. Be prepared for some squeamish reactions, of course.

The following AAOS tips on pumpkin-carving may help avoid injuries from occurring during the creation of the family jack-o-lantern.

* When carving pumpkins, use specifically designed carving knives, no kitchen knives.
 (Carving knives are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin tissue; Injuries can occur when a carver tries to yank the stuck knife out.)

* Never let children carve pumpkins. (Adults carving pumpkins should always remember to cut in small, controlled strokes away from themselves. Carving knives should be kept in a clean, dry, well-lit area. Any moisture on the tools, hands or table can cause the knife to slip, causing injuries.)

*Should an individual cut a fingertip or hand while carving pumpkins, elevate the hand above the heart and apply direct  pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. (If continuous pressure does not slow or stop the flow within 15 minutes, a trip to an emergency room may be necessary. If there is any numbness in the fingers or there is an inability to move the fingers, then the individual should go to an emergency room.)

More information on fingertip injuries, as well as safety tips on costumes and trick-or-treating can be found on the AAOS web site under Patient Education and within the press release, "Tips & Tricks for a Safe Halloween."

You may also be interested in "Tips for Halloween family fun in Baltimore" on this site.