June is Fireworks Safety Month

June is Fireworks Safety Month at Sites Vision Clinic in Clarksville

June's Fireworks Safety Month follows on the heels of May's Healthy Vision Month. It builds on the idea of keeping your eyes safe and gives you plenty of time to learn good fireworks handling techniques before the big day on July 4th.

Crowd watching fireworks

The CDC states that in 2016, there were over 11,000 fireworks-related injuries that resulted in emergency room treatment. Of these, about 9 percent involved the eyes. That's about 1,000 eye injuries! Clearly, care must be taken when handling fireworks.

How to Handle Fireworks

The most important rule is to never hold a lit firework in your hands. This eliminates the risk of it blowing up while you're holding it. It also helps to ensure that the device is pointed in the right direction – upwards – before it goes off.

Before the fuse is lit, the firework should be placed on a flat surface on the ground. It's a good idea to put it on a chunk of cement or other hard, non-flammable surface. However, if you have to light them on grass or sand, danger can be reduced by pushing the butt of the firework into the ground.

After lighting, jog away from the firework so you're not in the way of any sparks or projectiles that come from it.

Protecting Your Eyes

The biggest danger to your eyes comes from the possibility of getting a firework projectile to the face. Fortunately, avoiding this hazard is easy. First, always handle fireworks with caution. Never point them at another person, and if someone points one at you, run out of the way. Turn your head as well, just in case you aren't fast enough. Secondly, never look down into a firework that has been lit, even if it seems like a dud. It may go off by surprise.

Following these tips should prevent you from needing emergency care from an eye doctor. For more information, feel free to call us here at Sites Vision Clinic in Clarksville, TN or Elkton, KY. We can also handle all of your optometry and general eye care needs.

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Monday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
7:30 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Thursday
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Friday
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