Do you enjoy spending warm summer evenings watching fireworks? When you set off fireworks, do you think about how you can keep your eyes safe?
To educate the public, the AAO observes June as Fireworks Eye Safety Month. This means that an entire month is dedicated to how to protect your eyes from fireworks.
It is important to understand the importance of how to protect your eyes from fireworks and to be educated about them. When you use fireworks improperly, they can cause burns, retinal detachment, corneal abrasions, and other injuries. These can permanently damage your eyes.
Each summer, and around the 4th of July, Americans spend millions of dollars on fireworks. Unfortunately, this leads to more than 9,000 injuries a year, and even death.
Since the 4th of July is less than a month away, the American Academy of Ophthalmology wants to remind everyone that fireworks are not toys. They can cause serious injuries, including severe eye injuries. Keep reading to learn 10 things to keep in mind around fireworks this summer!
When you are using fireworks, there are a lot of safety precautions that you need to remember. These include:
1. Standing at least 500 feet away from the fireworks while you are launching them.
2. While using fireworks, take it seriously. Make sure that no one runs or messes around close to them.
3. Only set off fireworks in open spaces. You should set them off away from homes, trees, and anything else that is flammable.
4. If you’re setting off fireworks, make sure to keep a bucket of water, a hose, or another water source nearby.
5. Only use fireworks once. If they don’t work, put them in water and throw them out. Trying to use fireworks more than once is a serious fire hazard.
6. Do not light a firework in any sort of enclosed space or container.
7. While lighting a firework, do not stand with your body directly over it.
8. Only use fireworks bought from a store. Do not try to make or DIY fireworks, as it could lead to serious injury.
9. Once a firework is set off, let it cool down. After it’s cooled off, soak it in water to make sure it’s completely out, and dispose of it.
10. Anytime you are lighting fireworks, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.
While many people think that sparklers are safer to use than fireworks, this isn’t true. You may think of them as fireworks designed for kids.
But sparklers have the potential to be just as dangerous as fireworks are. Sparklers work because they burn at a very high temperature of around 2,000 degrees.
Now imagine if a single spark got in someone’s eye. It would cause serious damage, including permanent damage to a child’s eye.
If you are using sparklers, please supervise your children and tell them the rules for using them. It is best to avoid sparklers, so children and adults stay safe.
If you are going to use fireworks this summer, please do so safely. This includes paying attention to the people watching your fireworks since they are usually the ones getting injured.
Have questions about how to keep your family’s eyes safe this summer? Start by scheduling an appointment at Advanced Eye Care in New Lenox, IL now!
