10/5/2009

Keep your child safe when carving a pumpkin this Halloween

As Halloween approaches, hand surgeons from Kleinert Kutz and Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center are warning parents and children to be careful when carving pumpkins this year. Without close supervision and caution, pumpkin carving can lead to a serious hand injury.

“Small children should never handle a knife or other objects with sharp blades,” said Rodrigo Moreno, M.D. with Kleinert Kutz. “Pumpkins have a very tough outer skin and usually require a sharp blade to cut. Most hand injuries occur when children try to use kitchen knives to carve pumpkins. Most knives used, including kitchen knives, lack a safety guard to protect children's hands from slipping down the blade, increasing the risk of serious injury. The injury can be so severe that nerve or tendon damage may occur and the function of the hand may be affected.”
“Parents can prevent painful or serious hand injuries by providing alternative decorating activities allowing children to be a part of creating a Halloween pumpkin.”

Dr. Moreno recommends decorating a pumpkin with paints, stickers, or markers as a great way for small children to be involved in Halloween activities. For older children and adults, a pumpkin carving knife should be used. The knife is specially designed for use in a sawing action to create the Jack-O-Lantern, rather than a sharp cutting action, thus helping to prevent serious hand injuries.

More Halloween Safety Tips for Children
· Never use a knife to carve a pumpkin--Use a pumpkin carving saw, markers,
  crayons, paints or stickers to decorate.
· Always use common sense.
· Young children should always go trick-or-treating with an adult.
· Never trick-or-treat alone. Stay in a group of at least three.
· Plan your entire route and make sure your family knows what it is.
· Make sure that you are wearing a flame-retardant costume.
· Wait until you get home and your parents check your candy before you eat it.
· Be very cautious of strangers.
· Accept treats only in the doorway. Never go inside a house.
· Be sure and say thank you for your treats.
· Don't play near lit jack-o-lanterns.
· Visit only houses where the lights are on.
· Walk, do not run.
· Walk on sidewalks and driveways.
· Cross the street at the corner or in a crosswalk.
· Take a cellular phone with you if possible.
· Wear a watch.
· Carry a flashlight.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INTERVIEW A HAND CARE CENTER PHYSICIAN or for more information, please call Barbara Mackovic at (502) 587-4230.

About the Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center
Jewish Hospital is the first in the United States to provide a unique state-of-the-art facility specially designed and equipped to treat hand, arm and shoulder injuries and diseases complete with emergency care, operating suites and overnight recovery center – all in one location. Physicians from Kleinert Kutz, along with specially trained Jewish Hospital hand care professionals, staff the Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center bringing the latest advances in medicine and treatment. The facility provides immediate and emergency care to patients. The Hand Care Center allows more direct and rapid treatment for those with specific injuries and problems to the hand, arm and shoulder.

About Kleinert Kutz
Kleinert Kutz is one of the largest hand care programs in the world, pioneering achievements in hand and microsurgery, research, therapy and orthotics. The 12 physicians of Kleinert Kutz offer expertise in orthopedic and plastic surgery and provide comprehensive upper extremity care – from major trauma and replantations to less serious problems such as minor injuries.

World “firsts” in partnership with Jewish Hospital and the University of Louisville School of Medicine include:
· First reported repair of a digital artery
· First reported successful technique for primary flexor tendon repair in “No
  Man’s Land”
· First vascularized epiphyseal transfer
· First bilateral forearm replantation
· One of the world’s first cross-hand replantations
· Pioneered work in primary reconstruction using free tissue transfer
· First bilateral upper arm replantation
· National award for research in blood flow to the nerves
· World’s Most Successful hand transplant
 
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