Protect Your Vision: Eye Safety Tips for the Fourth of July
The Fourth of July is a time for grilling out, fireworks, and quality time with friends and family. While these festivities can create lifelong memories, they can also pose a significant risk to your eye health if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices can cause serious eye injuries, including corneal abrasions, retinal detachments, optic nerve damage, and even blindness.
The Dangers of Fireworks
Fireworks are a major contributor to Fourth of July eye injuries. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, fireworks are the number one cause of eye injuries during the summer. Sparklers, which are often considered a relatively safe firework, can burn at temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s five times hotter than the surface of the sun!
Protecting Your Eyes This Fourth of July
While it’s best to leave the fireworks to the professionals, there are steps you can take to protect your vision if you find yourself around fireworks this Fourth of July:
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Never touch or handle fireworks. Even if a firework hasn’t gone off, it can still explode and cause serious injury.
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Wear protective eyewear. If you must be around fireworks, wear glasses or goggles that provide good coverage and are made of polycarbonate. Regular glasses don’t provide enough protection.
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Keep a safe distance. Stay at least 500 feet away from any fireworks displays.
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Point fireworks away from people. If you do find yourself handling fireworks, make sure they are pointing away from people and flammable objects.
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Supervise children. Never let children handle fireworks, even if they seem harmless. Sparklers are responsible for the majority of firework-related injuries to children.
What to Do in Case of an Eye Injury
If you or someone else suffers an eye injury this Fourth of July, seek immediate medical attention. Don’t try to treat the injury yourself by:
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Touching or rubbing the eye
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Applying pressure
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Trying to remove an object stuck in the eye
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Using unapproved medications
Instead, get to an emergency room or urgent care center as quickly as possible. If you can’t get to one right away, call 911 or your local emergency number for help.
Enjoy the Fourth of July Safely
The Fourth of July should be a time of celebration, not a trip to the emergency room or eye doctor. By taking the proper precautions and knowing what to do in case of an emergency, you can enjoy the fireworks while protecting your precious vision. Remember, there’s no substitute for your sight. Protect it this Fourth of July!
Schedule your annual exam or call us for any eye-related injuries. 706-549-7757