Protecting Your Eyes on Independence Day
July is fast approaching, and with it the celebration of our nation’s independence. While it’s time honored tradition to light up the night with explosive beauty, we want to share with you some overlooked facts about fireworks.
Most of us know to keep our distance from the big launchers, but few realize the dangers of smaller fireworks. The most underestimated, and often given to small children, are sparklers. Did you know these pretty little sticks burn at 2,000 degrees? That’s hot enough to melt metal! And more than enough to cause injury. A poll by the American Academy of Ophthalmology found over half of parents believe children aged 5-10 should handle sparklers. By comparison, only 11% thought those same kids should light birthday candles on their own, and a mere 4% believe they should use the stove unsupervised. The results show a shocking lack of understanding about the dangers of sparklers, and the numbers support it.
One study found 65% of all firework related eye injuries occured in children!
The more powerful fireworks pose even greater risk. That same poll found 1/3 of Americans either know someone, or have been injured by fireworks themselves. And being a bystander doesn’t help.
Around 65% of those injured are people watching from the sidelines - and
1 in 6 of those injuries resulted in severe vision loss.
Injuries can range from burns to loss of body parts. Yet Americans routinely ignore or don’t understand the risks. When asked about protective eyewear, only 10 percent said they use it with fireworks, while 26-28% said they use it when cleaning or working on their homes.
“These results seem to suggest that people view tub scrubbing and candles as more of a threat to their eyes than fireworks. It’s very concerning to me as an ophthalmologist because I’ve seen how devastating consumer fireworks can be to someone’s vision.”
- Philip Rizzuto, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology
None of this means you shouldn’t enjoy fireworks, but precautions are clearly a good idea. Here’s a few tips for staying safe this year:
- Don't pick up duds and misfires. Some of the most severe injuries come from fireworks exploding into someone’s face or hands after they’ve been deemed a dud.
- Help younger children with fireworks like sparklers to avoid accidents.
- For older kids, explain the risks and supervise closely. Bottle rockets are a favorite of older kids, and also account for some of the most severe vision related injuries.
- For all fireworks, wear protective eyewear. It’s a cheap and effective method to stay safe, and most hardware stores carry safety glasses.
- The safest option is to refrain from consumer fireworks entirely. Consider attending a professional show instead.
Lastly, if your eyes are ever injured by a firework, seek medical attention immediately. Do not touch or rinse the eye, or attempt to remove objects. Doing so can cause additional damage to your vision.
Please consider taking extra precautions this 4th of July when dealing with fireworks. Vision is a precious gift and we want to ensure our patients protect theirs to the best of their ability. We hope you’ll share the information here with your friends and family, so we can all have a safe and fun Independence Day!
