The time for fireworks is here, and so is the time to be diligent with eye safety during your 4th of July celebrations.
Tower Clock Eye Center and other eye care centers see an uptick in eye injuries this time of year and it’s important to celebrate the holiday safely.
A recent Consumer Product Safety Commission report shows that approximately 15% of injuries from fireworks are eye injuries. Injuries vary, but the worse cases involve severe burns to the eye, corneal abrasions, retinal detachments and even ruptures to the globe. All of these are serious enough to cause irreversible damage to the eye, and even blindness.
Whereas large fireworks that explode are the most dangerous, even the mild-mannered sparkler can pose a safety threat due to the extreme temperature in which they burn.
But it’s not those handling fireworks that are most susceptible to firework-related injury. In fact, most people hurt by fireworks are bystanders and revelers. The report also shows that about half of those in need of emergency services are younger than 20 years old.
How to stay safe
The best advice to stay safe is to leave fireworks to the professionals. Yes, it’s best to attend public fireworks displays rather than buying them at a retailer for private use. However, we know that family firework displays are very popular so here are some tips to follow for a safer experience:
Close adult supervision for all those handling fireworks (sparklers included)
Young children should NOT handle fireworks
Keep all those watching at a safe distance
Fireworks should be used at a safe distance from houses or combustible materials
No running or playing with fireworks
Treat dud fireworks like they are still live and capable of igniting
Do not attempt to light dud fireworks
Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby to douse dud fireworks
Do not alter fireworks in any way
Store fireworks safely
Keep your pets safe. Keep them inside and do what you can to keep them calm.
What to do in case of an eye injury
Firework accidents will happen. In the case you, or someone you are near, suffer a fireworks-related eye injury it’s important to:
Find or seek medical help immediately
Stay calm
Don’t remove any debris that is stuck in the eye
Don’t apply pressure to the eye
Don’t rinse your eye with any fluids
Don’t rub your eyes
Have a happy and safe 4th of July holiday! Our normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, July 3.
Watch Tower Clock Eye Center optometrist Dr. Michael Servi, OD, discuss severe dry eye treatments including bandage soft contact lenses, serum tears and scleral lenses. Most dry eye cases are treated with drops or punctal plugs, but severe dry eye cases require specialized care from the physicians at Tower Clock Eye Center. For appointments call... read more
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Clinical Trials, Stem Cells, and Other Therapies A Free Research Update Saturday September 23rd 2023 • 10:00 am Lawrence University Music-Drama Center, Stansbury Theater Register here Come hear the latest from UW scientists The McPherson Eye Research Institute at UW-Madison is the home of researchers and clinicians working on AMD and other vision... read more