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Fireworks and the Eyes
Fireworks Shouldn't be the Last Thing Your Child
Sees
Every year at this time, eye doctors see injuries to eyes that are avoidable.
Combine crowds and darkness with sparks, fire and swiftly moving objects,
and the chance for injury soars. But eye injuries can be avoided with
a few proper tips.
- Teach your children that eyes are frequently injured because people
are looking at what they are doing. More than one percent of all emergency
room visits are due to eye injuries. Many fireworks injuries are the
result of people peering at what they thought were dud fireworks.
- Don't ever use fireworks at home. Fireworks displays are best left
to professionals, who are aware of all the safety measures that must
be in place to avoid injuries. Explosives are not playthings.
- If you insist on putting on your own display, prohibit children from
getting near the fireworks.
- Wear safety glasses and read all instructions.
- Set a safe example. Repeat instructions and make sure alcohol is not
involved. Alcohol slows reaction times and clouds judgment.
- In the event of an eye injury, call an ophthalmologist or visit an
emergency room immediately. Until seen by a medical professional, keep
the effected eye closed or patched.
- An ounce of prevention will pay off in a lifetime of good vision
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