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Fireworks and Eye Safety

Are you looking forward to 4th of July fireworks this year? Enjoy the fun, but do it safely. This guide will help you protect your eyes, and the rest of you too, from the dangers of fireworks this year.

Fireworks Injuries- How Common Are They?

Thousands of firework injuries occur every year, most often during the period from late June to late July. Here are some recent statistics:

  • 10,500 ER visits for fireworks injuries in 2014.
  • 19% of fireworks injuries harmed the eye. Other commonly injured areas include the hand or finger (36%) and the face, head, or ear (19%).
  • More than half (54%) of firework injuries are burns.
  • Sparklers are a primary cause of firework related injury, accounting for more than a quarter (28%) of ER visits.
  • 44% of those injured by fireworks were under the age of 15. Approximately 9% of all injuries occurred in children under the age of 5.
  • 1,300 eye injuries were caused by fireworks in 2014, more than double the 600 reported in 2012.
  • Children ages 5-9 are 2.4 times as likely to be injured by fireworks than the general population.
  • Nearly half of those injured by fireworks were not the ones handling the explosives, but were bystanders.

How Do Fireworks Injure the Eyes?

Fireworks can cause severe eye injuries including rupture of the globe, chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions, and retinal detachment, all of which can cause permanent vision loss and even blindness. Prevention is essential for protecting your eyes.

How Can I Protect My Eyes from Fireworks?

The best way to protect your eyes from fireworks is to avoid using home-use fireworks. Enjoy your 4th of July fireworks by visiting a professional display, put on by trained professionals. When at a firework show, remain behind the safety barriers and avoid touching any unexploded fireworks.

If you do choose to use fireworks at home, these safety tips can help reduce the risk of injury to the eyes.

  • Do not let young children play with fireworks.
  • Wear appropriate protective eyewear when handling fireworks or watching at-home firework displays.
  • Use legal fireworks, approved for home use.

H2: In Case of Emergency- How to Handle a Firework Eye Injury

If injury to the eye occurs when using fireworks, follow these guidelines:

  • Seek immediate medical attention.
  • Avoid rubbing or rinsing the eye.
  • Do not apply pressure or use ointments. Do not take blood-thinning pain medications like aspirin or ibuprofen.
  • Do not remove any objects stuck in the eye.

Your vision is one of your body’s greatest gifts. Protect it by using fireworks safely. Enhance and improve your vision with LASIK surgery. Contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Will.