TIPS FOR AT-HOME FIREWORK SAFETY
Eye injuries are among the most common form of firework injuries and can include burns, bruises, cuts, and foreign bodies in the eye. Dr Mofokeng , ophthalmologist from the Eye Institute says “if your family are planning on celebrating any holiday involving letting off fireworks, proper safety precautions should be put into place. Thousands of patients suffer each year from eye injuries as a result of negligence”
Tips for at-home firework safety
- Always wear safety glasses
- A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities, and fireworks should never be given to children
- Stand at least 20 feet from where the firework is ignited
- Always read the instructions on the packages before using fireworks
“We encourage patients to not be involved in engaging in firework activities, but if they must use or be around fireworks, the doctors at the Eye Institute will be ready to help them 24/7 should an injury occur,” Dr. Mofokeng concludes
Follow these steps if an eye injury occurs:
The following are the most common eye diseases that could affect children:
- Call the Eye Institute and arrange to see a Ophthalmologist
- While waiting for professional medical assistance, cover the eye. This protects the injured eye from further damage and accidental rubbing
- The sooner the patient seeks treatment, the better the chance of preventing permanent eye damage
Things NOT to do after an eye injury:
The following are the most common eye diseases that could affect children:
- Do not rub, rinse, or apply pressure to the eye
- Do not try to remove any foreign bodies stuck in the eye
- Do not take blood-thinning pain medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
- Do not stop to buy medicine