Halloween Celebrations are underway! This year the holiday falls on a Saturday which is perfect for all kinds of parties and spooky fun. A great way to get in the holiday spirit is to carve your own pumpkin! Always remember that it is important to also stay safe because even though there are plenty of costumes for nurses, doctors, and zombie patients, it is better to fake an injury than to have one. Especially when it comes to carving pumpkins, so we have a few safety tips to help avoid any major owies or any unplanned trips to the emergency room.
Step 1 - Clean!
Working and maintaining a clean workspace is step one: Pumpkins are slimy and sticky and hard to handle when your hands get wet so it is best to make sure you are keeping your workspace clean and as dry as possible. Making sure to take breaks, lay down newspaper or expired mail catalogs can be a good place to start, just like any crafting activity! And save those seeds to salt and bake in the oven for snacks!
Step 2 - Supervision!
Remember we are still using dangerous tools, even grownups need help sometimes. It is good to make sure someone is on stand by to grab a first aid kit should an accident occur.
Step 3 - Leave the carving to adults.
Little hands should not be holding the carving knife, it is best they be put to work on the creative side, like drawing the faces on the pumpkins or helping clean out the guts. Parents and supervisors should always be cutting away from themselves and making small controlled strokes.
Step 4 - Carve with a serrated knife.
It is best to use the pumpkin carving saw that comes in a pumpkin carving kit. A short serrated knife can be substituted, but be sure to take extra care when using it! The pumpkin is sturdier and safer to carve before the seeds and insides are removed.
Step 5 - Handy dandy kits!
Pumpkin kits sold in stores have special serrated knives that are designed to not get stuck in the pumpkin tissue. They are also small enough that if they are stuck and wedged free there is minimal risk to having a dangerous injury.
If an injury does occur it is important to be vigilant in taking control of the situation. Clean the cut with warm clean water, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or paper towel. If the bleeding does not stop within 15 minutes you need to see a doctor.
Carving is only one way to decorate your gourd for the holiday, if you are worried about injury there are always alternatives like painting, drawing and stickers! Fall is a time for family fun festivities and the holidays. Let’s leave the first aid kit for the bumps and scrapes during sports practice.
More Info:
six tips to avoid six common pumpkin carving injuries
Pumpkin Carving
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
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