Patient Portal
Don’t Let Halloween Fun Lead to Injury
Hand Care Corner at KOC
It’s Pumpkin Time in Tennessee!
Pumpkin carving is a favorite fall tradition for many families. Unfortunately, this time of year we see an uptick of injuries to tendons and nerves in the hand due to this beloved fall tradition.
Below are some key hand safety tips to keep your pumpkin carving fun and your hands protected:
-Use the right tools. Opt for a pumpkin carving kit instead of your kitchen knives. These kits include small serrated saws designed specifically for safe carving.
-Carve before you scoop. Surprisingly, leaving the innards and seeds can provide more stability to your cutting tool.
-Always cut away from your body.
-Supervise young children. Even with specialized kits, young children should never handle sharp tools without supervision.
-Consider no-carve alternatives. For safer, yet equally festive options, consider decorating pumpkins with paint, markers, glitter and props. Glow-in-the-dark paint can be especially fun to attract those trick-or-treaters!
Here at KOC, we have hand and wrist specialists available at each of our 10 locations to evaluate and treat acute hand injuries.
If you or a family member sustained a cut to the hand or had a cut repaired in the ER, schedule your own appointment online by clicking here or calling (865) 558-4444 to make an appointment with one of our hand specialists to ensure there was no additional damage to your tendons or nerves.
Even if you can still move your fingers, it is possible you have cut a tendon or nerve.
Pumpkin carving should be about enjoying this holiday season and creating memories with friends and family. By following these hand safety tips, you will ensure a safe, spooktacular Halloween for everyone involved!
