Only You Can Prevent Eye Injuries

June is Firework Safety Month!

Summer is here and that means trips to the beach, barbeques with friends and family, parades and firework shows! As we get closer to one of the biggest summer holidays synonymous with fireworks, we wanted to go over some tips this Firework Safety Month.

Now, we love a good eye-catching show as much as the next guy, but firework safety is a pretty big concern during these warm months. Around 66% of firework injuries occur in the month around July 4th, with burns accounting for 44% of the 9,100 injuries treated in emergency rooms. Even sparklers can cause harm if not handled properly, accounting for about one quarter of firework injuries. Additionally, more than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks annually.

Injuries from fireworks can also affect vision and hearing. About 15% of injuries are to the eyes, oftentimes due to foreign bodies in the eye. Hearing can also be impaired. The harmful sound level often produced by fireworks can cause hearing loss after only a few minutes of being around the sound.

Whether choosing to use legal fireworks in your area or attending a public event, here are some tips to safely enjoy fireworks:

1. Never allow children to handle or play with fireworks themselves

2. Don’t point fireworks towards another person, at neighboring houses, or other flammable materials

3. If handling fireworks yourself or standing nearby, use protective eyewear

4. Never light fireworks indoors

5. Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning firework

6. Glow sticks are great alternatives and can be fun for all ages

7. Properly dispose of spent and unused fireworks by soaking in water for a few hours before discarding

8. Keep a bucket of water nearby to quickly extinguish any fireworks that might not go off or in case of a fire

9. Protect your hearing by limiting the time of exposure and wearing protective hearing devices

Firework shows are still a great experience with friends and family! Enjoy this celebration with the safety tips listed above and proceed with caution if using legal fireworks yourself.