Pumpkin Patch Safety Tips
One of the best parts about living in the Pacific Northwest are the weeks of early fall when the sun still shines most days and pumpkins are ready for picking. For those of us who grew up in the region we know the pumpkin patch experience has gone from simple to full throttle family entertainment that often includes pony/wagon rides, petting zoos, cider pressing, corn mazes and bouncy houses.
While a trip to the pumpkin patch is generally a great time, there are some safety tips that parents should follow to avoid preventable personal injuries.
Pumpkin patch safety tips
- Choose a pumpkin patch with age appropriate activities for your children and/or only allow them to participate in activities that they can handle. For example, a one year old is not old enough to safely ride a pony and an 18 month old is too small to jump in a busy bouncy castle with older children.
- Dress appropriately. Farms are often muddy and the weather can go from sunny to cool and rainy quickly in the month of October. Rain boots with pants, a long sleeved shirt and a warm vest or rain coat are best.
- Wear a hat or sunscreen on sunny days to prevent a sun burn.
- Many pumpkin farms attract a large crowd, which means a lot of cars. Discuss parking lot safety with your children before your arrive. Remind them to stay right beside you and wait until you say it is safe to walk through the parking lot or cross the street.
- Ensure that your children walk carefully around the pumpkin farm; it is not unusual for the ground to be bumpy, uneven and muddy. Corn stalks pushed to the ground and pumpkin vines also make tripping hazards.
- Bring water and snacks or plenty of cash to purchase them at the farm to prevent dehydration and crashing blood sugar levels.
- If your child chooses a pumpkin still attached to the vine you may need to ask for assistance to cut it free. If you have a jackknife with you do not allow a young child to cut the vine themselves until they are mature enough.
- Make sure that everyone washes their hands after petting or feeding animals. Most farms depend on portable bathrooms with hand-washing stations during pumpkin season. Bring hand sanitizer just in case.
If you or your child has been seriously injured on another’s property because of the negligence of the property owner or an employee; you may be able to collect damages through a personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
