Pumpkin Carving Dangers - Don't Get Spooked!

Make Halloween Less Scary

Author

Jesse Dashe MD
October 15, 2023

Topic: Pumpkin Carving Injuries

Greetings colleagues,

Welcome to the Hands-On The East Bay Newsletter, which summarizes key topics in hand surgery for providers on the front lines. I'm Dr. Jesse Dashe, an orthopedic hand surgeon at the East Bay Hand Medical Center.

Question:

What are main risks?

Answer: 

Lacerations and stab wounds from slipping knives are most common, usually involving the thumb and index finger. Tendon/nerve injuries and infection can also occur. They are most frequent closest to Halloween.

Carved Pumpkin

Question:

Who is at highest risk?

Answer: 

  • Pediatric pumpkin carvers have 2.5 times higher injury rates than adults

  • Kids aged 5-9 years old are especially vulnerable

Little Girl With Pumpkin

Question:

How can injuries be prevented?

Answer: 

  • Supervise children and intervene if improper techniques used

  • Use round-tipped carving knives or pumpkin carving knives instead of serrated blades

  • Wear cut-resistant gloves to protect hands

  • Pre-cut outline before allowing kids to scoop out pumpkin flesh

Woman Carving Pumpkin

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to refer any patients. You can refer patients at DrDashe.com or by using this link:

If you need to reach me directly, please respond to this email or email me at [email protected].

Please contact me so I can come by your facility to meet face-to-face and/or give presentations, splinting sessions, etc.

Lastly, let me know if you have any other hand topics you would like covered in the future!

Sincerely,