Last year, there were 10,500 fireworks related injuries reported in the US and 1 in 5 of those injuries involved the eyes. Children are frequent victims of firework injuries, and many of those injured are not the ones handling the fireworks. Bystanders are the victims of injury in about 50% of all cases. Show your kids this video from the American Academy of Ophthalmology to keep them safe this weekend.
Fireworks safety tips
Enjoy your fireworks at a professionally assembled display for the safest fireworks experience. Follow a few simple rules to keep you and your family safe:
- Respect safety barriers at fireworks shows and view fireworks from at least 500 feet away.
- Do not touch unexploded fireworks; instead, immediately contact local fire or police departments to help.
If you do opt for the DIY version, please be sure to:
- Never let young children play with fireworks of any type, even sparklers.
- People who handle fireworks should always wear protective eyewear that meets the parameters set by the American National Standards Institute and ensure that all bystanders are also wearing eye protection.
- Leave the lighting of professional-grade fireworks to trained pyrotechnicians.
What to do for a fireworks eye injury?
If an eye injury from fireworks occurs, remember:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Do not rinse your eyes.
- Do not apply pressure.
- Do not remove any objects that are stuck in the eye.
- Do not apply ointments or take any blood-thinning pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
Happy 4th of July! - from the Grin Eye Care family to yours
