For many Americans, celebrating Independence Day means BBQ, parades and, of course, fireworks. Enjoying the day with friends and family is a great tradition, but putting on a fireworks display in your back yard comes with some hazards.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s most recent fireworks injury report, there were an estimated 12,900 fireworks-related visits to the emergency room in 2017, approximately 1,200 of which were for eye injuries.
Many of these injuries can be prevented by practicing safe fireworks handling, including the following tips.
Important Fireworks Eye Safety Tips
If you’re attending a professional fireworks show in your community, observe the following safety tips:
- Watch from at least 500 feet away and respect all safety barriers that have been set up.
- If you come across any unexploded fireworks, DO NOT touch them and contact the fire or police department for assistance.
If you’ll be purchasing fireworks for personal use, exercise caution and follow these tips to avoid injuries to yourself and others:
- NEVER allow young children to play with fireworks or sparklers.
- ALWAYS wear eye protection when dealing with fireworks, specifically eyewear that is approved by the American National Standards Institute to protect against injuries.
- DO NOT purchase and attempt to light professional-grade fireworks at home.
Remember, children are most frequently injured in fireworks-related accidents. The safety of bystanders, as well as those handling the fireworks, must be taken into account.
What to Do in Case of an Eye Injury
While eye injuries can occur in various situations, there is a real danger of severe eye injury when handling or viewing fireworks. Fireworks safety tips are a great way to protect against injuries, but when injuries do happen, it is important to know how to safely proceed.
In the event of eye injury due to fireworks or any eye injury as the result of explosives, remember the following:
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Do not rinse the eye.
- Do not rub the eye.
- Do not apply any pressure to the eye.
- Never remove any objects that may be stuck in the eye.
- Do not apply any ointments or take any pain medications that cause blood-thinning, such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
Eye Health is a #1 Priority
Every aspect of you and your family’s health is important, including your eye health. After a successful and safe fireworks season, remember to visit the Berkeley Eye Center for your vision needs.
Our vision experts also diagnose and treat eye injuries and conditions and are vigilant in protecting your eye health. Call 713-526-3937 to schedule an appointment today.