June is Fireworks Eye Safety Month

Enjoy a safe show

Each year, thousands of Americans visit emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. Thirty-five percent of those injured are under the age of 15. Regulations have helped make fireworks safer, but they remain an inherently dangerous risk for the eyes.

Firecrackers

Firecrackers can cause eye injuries if they erupt at close range. Someone inspecting a firecracker that failed to go off could be the victim of a delayed explosion.

Bottle rockets

Bottle rockets are responsible for some of the most serious eye injuries. These fireworks fly erratically and then explode. They can cause everything from eyelid lacerations to total blindness.

Sparklers

Sparklers can burn at up to 1,800°F, hot enough for third-degree burns. In the dark, it can be difficult to determine the distance between the end of a lit sparkler and a person’s face.

Conclusion

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained pyrotechnicians. Prevent Blindness America, the American Academy of Opthalmology, and the National Fire Protection Association agree that it’s best to leave firework shows to the professionals.