Fall Into Fun
As the trees delight us with their orange and yellow autumnal coats, and the air turns crisp, it’s a great time to experience all the favorite seasonal activities in Central Oregon. Visit pumpkin patches to pick a gourd from the vine, sip spice-flavored coffees and hot cocoa, and don your softest, cozy sweater to feel right at home and explore the area’s all fun.
But as you’re out enjoying autumn, don’t forget safety. SAIF, Oregon’s not-for-profit workers compensation company, has tips on staying safe and healthy.
Kevin Kilroy, safety and health supervisor at SAIF, offers safety tips for enjoying some of the best places to visit and things to do this season. Happy fall!
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Smith Rock Ranch in Terrebonne offers pumpkins, pony rides, and seats for the whole family to tour the ranch on a zoo train. Load a pumpkin cannon and watch your gourd shoot across fields. If a quiet activity is more your pace, visit a petting zoo or take a ride on a horse-drawn hayride. The theme of the ranch’s highly anticipated corn “maize” changes every year, so take a step inside and see where it leads you. Reward yourself afterward with caramel apples, hot cocoa, elephant ears or a selection of food truck offerings while you listen to local bands.
Tip: Lift Safely and Watch Your Step
Looking for the biggest pumpkin in the patch? Be sure to lift it safely, just as you would a heavy box. Keep the load close to your body by standing in front of the pumpkin with one foot along the side and your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your chin up and face forward to maintain the natural curve of your lower back as you lift. Flex your knees and avoid deep squatting.
Work From an Inviting Coffee Shop
If you’re working from home, it can get a little too quiet and isolating day after day. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy a community feel, warm drinks and Wi-Fi. Junction Roastery, located at the restored Patrick Building in the heart of Historic Redmond, has the perfect ambience to get work done amid a bit of hustle and bustle aromas of fresh-brewed coffee, teas and indulgent pastries.
Tip: Work Safely
As you work remotely, consider bringing a separate mouse and keyboard to make sure you sit properly, without slouching. If you find that your computer is at too low of an angle, and you’re craning your neck or slouching in your seat in order to see the screen, try to create a more posture-friendly position. Prop the laptop on a notebook or find a higher table to help get your screen closer to eye level. If you plan on frequently working around town, consider investing in a portable laptop riser.
Find a Hobby and Connect with Others
As days become shorter, you may be interested in picking up a hobby. Crocheting and knitting are easy to learn and knitting circles allow you to connect with others. Fancywork Yarn Shop in Bend has classes and events to turn those idle hands into busy, productive tools. If you’re new to the craft, there are plenty of introductory classes, such as Knitting 101, Crochet 101, and First Sweater to get you started in a comfortable environment. For those who are proficient, attend a more advanced class to create comfy and warm Magic Loop felted mittens.
Tip: Reduce Stress
Mental well-being is important whether you’re at home, on vacation or on the job. Stress increases your risk of injury. De-stress by talking to a trusted friend, family member or co-worker. Consider bringing a hobby or craft to work, where you can pick up on the go or on a break. Plus, don’t be surprised if it’s a conversation starter with co-workers!
Attend Fall Events
Another way to connect with others who enjoy working with wool is to attend First Friday at Fancywork Yarn Shop, a free community gathering where people can chat while working on individual projects. First Friday in downtown Bend, Oregon is held the first Friday of each month from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. where you can visit many downtown Bend businesses to discover local artists, sample food and wine, and explore new experiences.
Tip: Walk Safely
The sun goes down much earlier in the cooler months, so if fall events have you out after dark, be sure you’re dressed properly. Wear reflective clothing or carry a light to ensure you’re visible at a distance. Stay off your phone so you can make eye contact with drivers as you enter a crosswalk. Just because you can see them, doesn’t mean that they can see you.
Central Oregon offers events for every age and interest, so be sure to get out before the weather turns cold.
To find more tips for work and play, and to learn more about SAIF, go to SAIF.com.
Read our past SAIF articles here.
