July is Fireworks Eye Safety Month

Fireworks Eye Safety Month sponsored by Prevent Blindness America and supported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 

Independence Day or the Fourth of July, is a time of joy and celebration for all Americans.  Don’t let an accident spoil your celebration.  Each year, thousands of people are injured by fireworks in June and July and almost half of those injured are children and teenagers.  Over a thousand of those are eye injuries.  Fireworks can cause devastating and life-changing injuries that range from skin burns and thermal burns of the eye to bleeding in the eye, retinal detachment, and even a ruptured globe and blindness.

Simple ways to protect yourself and your children include staying at least 500 feet away from fireworks, allowing trained professionals to light fireworks and not allowing children to handle any fireworks.  If you find unexploded fireworks, call your police or fire department to dispose of them.  Do not touch them or try to light them.

If you suffer an injury due to fireworks, especially to your eyes, seek help immediately. 

Do not rub the eyes
Do not rinse the eyes
Do not apply pressure
Do not put on ointments or take any blood thinning pain medications (aspirin, ibuprofen)

Enjoy our Independence Day by attending a city-sponsored safe fireworks display.

For more information, please visit:

Get Eye Smart Fireworks Safety

PBA: Prevent Fireworks Eye Injuries