Richard N Cross MD

Don’t spend Halloween in the emergency room! Tips for Carving Pumpkins Safely Carving pumpkins, costume contests, trick-or-treating and bobbing for apples are all fun Halloween traditions for both children and adults. Unfortunately for hand surgeons, Halloween does not always bring fun and games. In fact, each Halloween doctors are usually busy treating hand injuries from knives used to carve pumpkins. Hand injuries during pumpkin carving occur quickly and a lot easier than... you might think. The pumpkin is moist and slippery. Knives may be hard to control and unpredictable to cut with or pull out of a tough pumpkin. An injury received during pumpkin carving can significantly injure muscles, nerves, and blood vessels and quickly put an end to what should be a fun family event. Following these safety tips can help avoid injury: Adults should use caution when carving pumpkins. Teenagers should be closely supervised in a non-distracting environment. Children should not carve pumpkins, but may contribute by helping to draw the pattern or remove the pulp. Sometimes painting a pumpkin can be a fun alternative to carving for children. Dry your hands and the pumpkin before carving. The small tools in a pumpkin carving kit are safer to use than kitchen knives. Place the pumpkin on a solid surface such as a carving board during carving. Avoid cutting towards the hand that is holding the pumpkin. Make small controlled cuts with short pumpkin carving tools. If an injury occurs: Apply direct pressure to the wound. Clean the wound, apply an antibiotic, and bandage. If the wound bleeds profusely or for more than 15 minutes, is deep or long, go to the emergency room for immediate treatment. Use pumpkin carving precautions and have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Halloween Safety Tips Kids love Halloween. What’s not to love? Treats, tricks, goofy costumes, spooky costumes, even adults can get caught up in the fun of this holiday. With all the fun, kids can easily get carried away and forget some basic safety rules. That can lead to trips, falls, bumps and bruises, even sprains or fractures can put a stop to the Halloween fun.The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has compiled a comprehensive list of Halloween tips to keep your ...children safe this year. Costumes Costumes should fit properly. Costumes that are too long may cause kids to trip and fall, so trim or hem them as necessary. Bright-colored costumes make it easier for children to be seen at dusk or in the dark. Add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags to provide additional visibility. Wear sturdy, comfortable, slip-resistant shoes to avoid falls. Masks can obstruct a child’s vision and should be avoided, along with hats that fall down over a child’s eyes. Child-friendly makeup is a good option. Look for flame-resistant costumes and accessories. Pumpkin Carving Young children should not carve pumpkins. They can get creative with paint, markers or other non-carving decoration kits. Use a pumpkin carving kit or knives specifically designed for carving. These are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin skin. Some Halloween carving devices, designed especially for older children, may be safe for use with parental supervision. Always carve pumpkins in a clean, dry and well-lit area, and make sure there is no moisture on the carving tools or your hands. If you are cut, apply pressure with a clean cloth and elevate the injured area above the heart. If bleeding does not stop within 10-15 minutes or if the cut is deep, you may need to contact your doctor. Make sure cuts are cleaned and covered with clean bandages. Avoid candles in Halloween pumpkins and other decorations. Instead, use non-flammable light sources, like glow sticks or artificial pumpkin lights. Trick-or-Treating Children younger than age 12 should be accompanied by an adult. Parents of older children should plan a safe trick-or-treating route together, and set specific times for children to check-in and return home. Older children trick-or-treating without parents should be reminded to always stay together. Walk on sidewalks and never cut across yards or driveways. Cross streets at designated crosswalks and obey all traffic signals. Both children and parents should carry flashlights to see and be seen. Approach houses that are well lit. Remind children to never enter a home to obtain a treat. Be aware of neighborhood dogs when trick-or-treating. Remember that these pets can pose a threat when you approach their home. Carry a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency. Be sure to throw away any unwrapped or spoiled treats.

Upcoming Winter Sports Injury Prevention More than 246,000 people were treated at hospitals, doctors' offices, and emergency rooms for injuries related to winter sports in 2015, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 88,000 injuries from snow skiing... 61,000 injuries from snowboarding 50,000 injuries from ice skating 47,000 injuries from sledding, tobogganing, and snow tubing Common winter sports injuries include sprains, strains, dislocations, and fractures. Many of these injuries happen at the end of the day, when people overexert themselves to finish that one last run before the day's end. A majority of these injuries can easily be prevented if participants prepare for their sport by keeping in good physical condition, staying alert, and stopping when they are tired or in pain. There are many things you can do to help prevent injury during favorite winter activities. Never participate alone in a winter sport. Keep in shape and condition muscles before participating in winter activities. Warm up thoroughly before playing or participating. Cold muscles, tendons, and ligaments are vulnerable to injury. Wear appropriate protective gear, including goggles, helmets, gloves and padding. Check that equipment is working properly prior to use. Wear several layers of light, loose and water- and wind-resistant clothing for warmth and protection. Layering allows you to accommodate your body's constantly changing temperature. Wear proper footwear that provides warmth and dryness, as well as ample ankle support. Know and abide by all rules of the sport in which you are participating. Take a lesson (or several) from a qualified instructor, especially in sports like skiing and snowboarding. Learning how to fall correctly and safely can reduce the risk of injury. Pay attention to warnings about upcoming storms and severe drops in temperature. Seek shelter and medical attention immediately if you, or anyone with you, is experiencing hypothermia or frostbite. Make sure everyone is aware of proper procedures for getting help, if injuries occur. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after activities. Avoid participating in sports when you are in pain or exhausted.

How to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke Even if you don't live or work near a major fire, you can still be affected by smoke particles in the air. So, what's in that smoke, and how much should you worry about it? Depending on the fire, the smoke can be made up of various substances including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor, particulate matter, organic chemicals, nitrogen oxides and more. Exposure to smoke can cause a range of health effects, from eye and lu...Continue reading

Heat and exercise: Keeping cool in hot weather Stay safe during hot-weather exercise by drinking enough fluids, wearing proper clothing and timing your workout to avoid extreme heat. Whether you're running, playing a pickup game of basketball or going for a power walk, take care when the temperature rises. If you exercise outdoors in hot weather, use these commonsense precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses....Continue reading