Protect Your Eyes This 4th of July
Online, July 1, 2014 (Newswire.com) - The 4th of July is one of the biggest celebrations in the United States. All over the nation, we celebrate our independence in different ways, but the most common way is lighting fireworks. As beautiful and mesmerizing as they may be, remembering to take proper eye care measures is essential to ensuring a fun and safe holiday.
According to the U.S. Product and Safety Commission, more than 9000 firework-related-eye-injuries occur each year in the United States. If you're not planning on lighting any fireworks yourself, keep in mind that in the number above, half of those people injured were bystanders. If you're at a party or an environment where staying away from the fireworks is difficult, try and stay a safe distance away from the fireworks (50 - 100ft is recommended), and always be aware of your surroundings.
If you have children, safety is especially important. Over 30% of the 9000 firework-related-eye-injuries happen to children 15 and under. Sparklers may seem harmless, but they actually burn 1000 degrees hotter than the boiling point of water. So if celebrating with fireworks is a must, the safest option is attending a fireworks show.
If you experience an eye injury this holiday due to fireworks, seek immediate medical attention. Resist the temptation to rub, rinse, or apply pressure to your injury. Do not remove any foreign objects stuck in your eye and don't put any ointment on them. Go to the emergency room for treatment.
If you have any questions on the eye care safety this holiday, or require any Los Angeles eye care services, call us at 877-871-1684.