June is often the time when many families plan their Independence Day or the Fourth of July, celebrations. 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.

Whether you are watching a professional fireworks show or just lighting sparklers at your backyard barbeque with family, there are certain precautions you can take to prevent eye injury or at least decrease the risk. Even when using sparklers, make sure that your kids are supervised. They should also keep the sparklers at arm’s length and never swing them around or run with them.

Fireworks can cause devastating and life-changing injuries. 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 medication

The safest way to watch fireworks is for you to let somebody else light off the fireworks. When we say someone else, we mean a professional – as in – go to a fireworks show. If you have any questions or need information on eye injury following an accident, call Bissell Eye Care at (724) 444-6767 or 724-226-0444.

Remember 4th of July is about enjoying our freedom. Be sure to thank a Veteran for their sacrifice and service. Wishing you and your family a happy and safe summer.

About the author: John D. Bissell, owner of Bissell Eye Care and Tri-State Low Vision Services, offers comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family, ocular disease detection and treatment, eye glasses, sun glasses, active wear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. He has undergone specialized training for treatment of low vision by the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists utilizing customized telescopic eyeglasses, prisms and telescopic implants for patients who qualify. The practice accepts most types of vision and health insurance plans.