Pumpkin Carving
- Leave the carving to the adults. Never let children carve pumpkins.
- Have children draw faces with markers and have the adult do the cutting.
- When adults do start cutting they should always cut away from themselves and cut in small, controlled strokes.
- Children can assist in removing the seeds and poking out the portions that the adult has cut out.
- Make sure you have a stable base and use the appropriate tools to prevent cuts and lacerations. Make sure tools, hands and table are dry, any moisture can cause slipping that can lead to injuries.
- Consider using a pumpkin carving kit. The kits include serrated pumpkins saws that work better than knives because they are less likely to get stuck in thick pumpkin tissue.
According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, should you cut your finger or hand, bleeding from minor cuts will often stop on its own by applying direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. If continuous pressure does not slow or stop the bleeding after 15 minutes, an emergency room visit may be required.
Decorations
- Outside your home, use flameless candles or keep burning candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from landings and doorsteps, where trick-or-treaters' costumes could brush against the flame.
- Remove obstacles from lawns, steps, and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.
- When indoors, keep candles and jack-o'-lanterns away from curtains, other decorations, and other items that could ignite. Do not leave burning candles unattended.
- Whether indoors or outside, use only decorative light strands that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets.
- Don't overload extension cords.
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