Taking fireworks eye safety precautions
is pretty critical because fireworks related eye injury is the second most
frequent injury we see from the emergency room each July 4th
weekend. Fireworks displays and celebrations are just part of the July 4th but there are precautions everyone
should take to prevent eye injuries.
Preventing Fireworks Eye Injuries
The best defense against kids
suffering severe eye injuries and burns is to not let kids play with any
fireworks. It is best if you do not personally purchase, use or store fireworks
of any type. It is safer and just as enjoyable to attend only authorized public
fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators. But be aware that even
professional displays can be dangerous. However, if an eye accident does occur,
there are a few things you should know:
·
Do Not Rub Your Eye (s)
·
Do Not attempt to rinse out the
eye. This can be even more damaging than rubbing.
·
Do Not apply pressure to the
eye itself-but protecting the eye from further contact with any item, including
the person’s hand.
·
Do Not stop for medicine!
Over-the-counter pain relievers will not do much to relieve pain. Aspirin
(should never be given to children) and ibuprofen can thin the blood,
increasing bleeding. Take the person to
the emergency room at once.
·
Do Not apply ointments or
drops. They may not be sterile and may make the area around the eye slippery
and harder for the doctor to examine.
Once you are seen in the
emergency room please feel free to have them call Center for Sight as we always have an eye doctor “on
call” to provide consultation and continued care for you. If
you or someone you know has questions about fireworks eye safety and eye
injuries please feel free to call us at 508-730-2020, visit
Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an
appointment.
Center for Sight is conveniently
located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts
02720 for patients
from Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
