Independence Day Eye Safety Tips
Unfortunately, each year there are roughly 9,000 fireworks related injuries in the United States. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the majority of these injuries are eye-related, and 1 in 6 of these injuries result in blindness or permanent vision loss. Here are a few tips to ensure an eye-safe 4th of July.
1. USE PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR
If you’re planning on lighting your own fireworks at home, be sure that you and your guests are wearing protective eyewear.
2. KEEP FIREWORKS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
Children should never play with fireworks and even sparklers can burn 1000 degrees hotter than boiling water. Sparklers should be handled by adults or placed in the ground, not held by children.
3. KEEP A DISTANCE
Fireworks should be viewed at a safe distance of at least 500 ft to prevent injury from stray or malfunctioning fireworks. If you are attending a professional fireworks show, be sure to keep behind the safety barriers at all times.
4. LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS
Rather than have a home show, leave the lighting of fireworks to trained pyrotechnicians.