Summer is rolling along, and the 4th of July will soon be upon us. Fireworks, picnics and family celebrations create fond memories. But mishandling of fireworks can lead to injury, so it’s important to protect yourself and your children. Eyes are among the most injured body parts, and one in six fireworks-related eye injuries result in permanent vision loss or blindness. Of the more than 9,000 fireworks injuries that occur in the United States each year, approximately 45 percent are sustained by children age 15 and under.
Bissell Eye Care recommends the best way to enjoy fireworks this 4th of July is to attend a professional public display. Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities offer a variety of options.
Did you know… sparklers can easily ignite clothing and generally burn at 1,200-2,000 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to cause third-degree burns to the skin?
Out-of-control bottle rockets are responsible for many serious eye injuries, including corneal abrasions, traumatic cataract, retinal detachment, optic nerve damage, and rupture of the eyeball – all of which can lead to potential blindness. Kids don’t often realize the hidden dangers in playing with fireworks that can lead to permanent eye damage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-w2rV-pom8
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology:
- Never let children play with fireworks of any type, even sparklers.
- Adults should always wear protective eyewear that meets the parameters set by the American National Standards Institute if handling fireworks and ensure that all bystanders are also wearing eye protection.
- Leave the lighting of professional-grade fireworks to trained pyrotechnicians.
For those who attend professional fireworks displays and/or live in communities surrounding the shows:
- Respect safety barriers at fireworks shows and view fireworks from at least 500 feet away.
- Do not touch unexploded display (show) fireworks; instead, immediately contact local fire or police departments to help.
We wish you a safe and happy 4th of July. If you do experience an eye injury during a fireworks accident, seek immediate medical help.
About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provide comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call 724-443-6767.
FTC Disclosure:
This excellent summer article is a sponsored post from our advertiser, Bissell Eye Care.
