Firework Safety Tips and How to Protect Your Eyes

July is a wonderful time to celebrate friends, family and our countries freedom.  Nearly every community across the country celebrates the fourth with gatherings, parades and of course, fireworks.  Fourth of July fireworks have long been a popular tradition, and while we can’t wait to cheer them on with our neighbors, it is important to remember to practice eye safety when handling or viewing fireworks.

More than 9,000 fireworks injuries occur in the United States each year, approximately 45 percent of these injuries are sustained by children age 15 and under.  Additionally, one in six fireworks-related eye injuries results in permanent vision loss or blindness. Eye injuries from fireworks include cuts, burns, abrasions, retinal detachment, optic nerve damage, rupture of the eyeball, and complete blindness. 1

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has created a list of safety recommendations to consider when you plan to be near fireworks.

• Never let children play with fireworks of any type, even sparklers.
• Adults should always wear protective eyewear that meets the parameters set by the American National Standards Institute if handling fireworks and ensure that all bystanders are also wearing eye protection.
• Leave the lighting of professional-grade fireworks to trained pyrotechnicians.

For those who attend professional fireworks displays and/or live in communities surrounding the shows:

• Respect safety barriers at fireworks shows and view fireworks from at least 500 feet away.
• Do not touch unexploded display (show) fireworks; instead, immediately contact local fire or police departments to help.

If you do experience an eye injury during a fireworks accident, seek help from an Ophthalmologist immediately.

We hope you have a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Learn more about how to protect and care for your eyes and what Cabarrus Eye Center can do to help you see better at http://www.cabarruseye.com, call us at (704) 782-1127 or visit us at: Cabarrus Eye Center, 201 LePhillip Court, Concord, North Carolina  28025