Fireworks and Eye Safety
Here at the Hollywood Eye Institute, we’re excited for the 4th of July. The 4th of July is filled with radiant firework displays; 2017 might have the best fireworks celebration yet. But how many of us are cognizant of eye safety while playing with these beautiful but potentially lethal fireworks? Have we ever wondered that these attractive fireworks could snatch all our fun with a flick of the finger and can expose us to the risk of serious eye injuries and even death if not used safely?
Our eyes are one of the very few major organs that are located outside of the body, and they require protection from various sources that can cause damage to our precious eyesight. A lot of eye injuries occur on the 4th of July. Eye injuries that occur include lacerations, abrasions, ocular burns, optic nerve damage, retinal detachments, and even ruptured eyes. At best, these types of injuries will only be painful, but at worst, they can be permanently and irreversibly debilitating.
Fireworks are pretty, but according to USA.gov, statistics show that an average of 7000 people gets hurt lighting fireworks during the 4th of July, with 27% of these injuries involving the eye. 70% of the people hurt were between the ages of 25-44. It is important fireworks are not taken lightly and handled with proper care. We want to remind all of Hollywood to be careful this 4th of July while you enjoy the beautiful fireworks display. Some injuries can lead to serious damage to your eyes that cause decreased vision and even in some cases vision loss. Therefore, here are some tips to help protect and safeguard your eyesight from injuries:
Wear Protective Glasses in Dangerous Situations
In certain hazardous situations where you are exposed to flying objects or other objects such as debris and dust particles on that day, ensure that you wear protective safety glasses with side shields to protect your eyes from injuries that can do harm to your precious eyesight.
Fireworks Lighting
Here are the best practices for safely handling fireworks:
- Do not hold a firework while lighting it
- Do not stand over a firework while lighting it
- Do not approach a firework that you thought was lit but that didn’t go off.
- Douse all of these “duds” with water before approaching them!
If you are an observer, stay at a safe and reasonable distance and wear eye protection. A notable percentage of injuries associated with the eyes often happen to bystanders.
What to do during an emergency?
If an eye injury from fireworks or anything occurs on that day, remember:
- Do not rinse your eyes.
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Do not remove any objects that are stuck in the eye.
- Do not apply pressure.
- Do not take any pain medications like aspirin.
What should you do? Seek medical attention from a medical professional immediately.
As stated earlier, statistics show that over 27% people that get treated each year for 4th of July accidents suffer eye-related injuries. Don’t be one of them. Stay safe this year.
Schedule an eye exam – Know the exact state of you precious eyes by scheduling an eye exam. Dr. Shareen Greenbaum will provide a comprehensive exam which will help you be cognizant of your ocular. Stay healthy and have fun this July!
Interested in scheduling your annual eye exam with Dr. Greenbaum? Give our office a call or simply schedule an appointment via ZocDoc.
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