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Fireworks Safety and Backyard Celebrations

by ArticlesBlog

We are starting to see displays of fireworks in local retail stores. Families are beginning to plan for Fourth of July celebrations. While these shows bring joy and excitement, it’s important to remember that fireworks can pose a risk to our eyes. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of fireworks safety, the dangers of sparklers for young children, and practical tips to protect your eyes during celebrations.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology “Fireworks caused 11 deaths and 10,200 injuries in 2022, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s most recent annual fireworks injury report (PDF). Most fireworks injuries happen between mid-June and mid-July.

Fireworks are advertised like toys around the Fourth of July. You may think you know how to handle them safely. Regardless of how careful you are, flaws in equipment and explosives are a leading cause of fireworks injuries and deaths — and more people are harmed every year.”

The most vulnerable group is children and young adults, often due to improper handling and lack of protective measures.

Sparklers, often viewed as the safer alternative to larger fireworks, are deceptively dangerous, especially for young children.

Here’s why sparklers pose a significant risk:

  • High Temperatures: Sparklers can burn at temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to cause severe burns almost instantly.
  • Eye Hazards: The bright, sparkling light can lead to debris and sparks flying into the eyes, causing injuries ranging from minor irritations to serious burns.
  • Young Children’s Coordination: Children under five years old, who are often given sparklers, lack the fine motor control and understanding to handle them safely, increasing the risk of accidental injuries.

To keep kids safe, it’s best to consider alternatives like glow sticks or LED light wands, which provide fun without the danger.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is at a professional fireworks display where experts handle the pyrotechnics. Watch from a safe distance to reduce the risk of injury. Stay at least 500 feet away from the fireworks launch site. This distance helps protect you from falling debris and potential malfunctions.

Wear protective eyewear if you’re handling fireworks or are in close proximity, wear safety goggles or shatterproof glasses. Regular glasses or sunglasses do not provide adequate protection. Only use fireworks as intended. Do not attempt to modify or combine them. Read and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer. If a firework fails to ignite, do not try to relight it. Wait for at least 20 minutes and then soak it in water before disposing of it. Keep pets indoors during fireworks displays to prevent them from being startled or injured.

First Aid for Eye Injuries

Despite precautions, accidents can still happen. Knowing how to respond promptly can make a significant difference:

  • Do Not Rub the Eye: Rubbing can cause further damage.
  • Flush with Water: Use clean water to gently rinse the eye if debris or chemicals enter it.
  • Do Not Apply Pressure: Avoid putting pressure on the injured eye.
  • Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Contact an eye care professional or visit the emergency room immediately. Time is crucial in preventing long-term damage.

Fireworks add magic to our celebrations, but safety must always come first. By understanding the risks and taking appropriate precautions, you can protect your eyes and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone. Wishing everyone a safe and memorable 4th of July.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

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Tips for a Safe 4th of July Celebrations

by ArticlesBlog

Fireworks have long been associated with celebrations, captivating audiences with their vibrant displays of light and color. However, it’s crucial to remember that fireworks are not just innocent sources of entertainment. They come with inherent risks and dangers, particularly when handled by untrained individuals. By raising awareness about fireworks safety, we hope to ensure that celebrations remain accident-free for everyone involved.

Personal fireworks, such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles, may seem harmless when viewed from afar. However, the reality is far from it. In untrained hands, these pyrotechnic devices can quickly become dangerous projectiles. Fireworks can be highly unpredictable, with occasional malfunctions or irregular fusing leading to unexpected explosions. This unpredictability increases the risk of accidents and injuries.

Sparklers: A Deceptive Threat

Sparklers are often considered a safer alternative to traditional fireworks, especially for children. However, they still pose significant dangers and should be handled with extreme caution.

Here’s why:

High Temperature: Sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures, often exceeding 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This intense heat can cause severe burns, particularly when mishandled or brought too close to the body or clothing.

Lack of Supervision: Sparklers are often handed to young children, who may not fully understand the potential risks involved. Without proper adult supervision, accidents can easily occur.

Eye Injuries: While sparklers are not as visually intimidating as larger fireworks, they still pose a significant risk to the eyes. Small sparks or ignited metal fragments can cause eye injuries, leading to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.

Alternatives to sparklers that can be just as enjoyable and safe.

  • Glow Sticks: Glow sticks are a popular alternative that provide a colorful and captivating experience for children. They are safe, easy to use, and come in various shapes and sizes. Children can wear them as bracelets, necklaces, or even create glowing designs in the dark.
  • LED Balloons: LED balloons are a fun and visually appealing option. These balloons contain LED lights inside that create a glowing effect. Children can play with them, toss them around, or even have balloon races in the evening.
  • Light-up Wands and Toys: There are a variety of light-up wands, swords, and toys available that emit colorful lights without any fire or spark. Children can wave them around, create light patterns, and enjoy their own light show.
  • Confetti Poppers: Confetti poppers are a safe and exciting way to add a festive touch to celebrations. These handheld devices shoot out colorful confetti when the string is pulled, creating a joyful atmosphere for children to enjoy.
  • Patriotic Crafts and Art Activities: Engage children in patriotic crafts and art activities to celebrate the 4th of July. They can create their own flags, decorate T-shirts with fabric paint, or make festive crafts using red, white, and blue materials.
  • Outdoor Games: Plan a variety of outdoor games to keep children entertained. Classic games like sack races, three-legged races, or water balloon tosses can be a lot of fun and provide an active and engaging experience for everyone.

Remember, always prioritize the safety and age-appropriateness of the activities. Adult supervision is crucial to ensure a secure and enjoyable celebration for young children. These alternatives keep the focus on fun, creativity, and togetherness during the 4th of July festivities. Despite warnings and safety campaigns, fireworks-related injuries continue to occur each year, with a substantial portion of these incidents involving eye injuries.

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 and their family for their sacrifice and service.  Wishing you and your family a happy and safe summer.

About Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.

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Fireworks Eye Safety

by Blog

With the changes in outdoor gatherings this year, many large fireworks displays have been cancelled.  So that leaves families bringing the fireworks celebrations closer to home releasing fireworks in their own backyards.  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.

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   Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.  Particularly for younger children, consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers?

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.   Everyone who lights a firework should wear gloves and safety goggles. Work gloves protect the hands, where 28% of firework injuries occur.

If a firework doesn’t go off right away, don’t relight it. Don’t touch it or stand over it, either. Just leave it until it’s time to dispose of the shells.  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

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 Bissell Eye Care: John D. Bissell, OD owns and operates Bissell Eye Care servicing Northern Pittsburgh and Alle-Kiski Valley regions. With two locations to treat patients, we offer evening and Saturday appointments. Bissell Eye Care provides comprehensive eye examinations for the entire family beginning as early as 6 months, ocular disease detection and treatment, eyeglasses, sunglasses, activewear, contact lenses, and low vision examinations for those with significant vision loss. We accept most types of vision and health insurance plans. For more information, visit bisselleyecare.com or call our Bakerstown Office at 724-443-6767 or Natrona Heights office at 724-226-0444.