Firework Safety

Firework Safety

There is really no safe age for shooting off fireworks. They are explosives after all. Here are a few safety tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission for shooting off fireworks at home.

• Do not allow young children to play with fireworks.

• Older children should be permitted to use fireworks only under close adult supervision.

• Do not allow any running or horseplay.

• Set off fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from houses, dry leaves, or grass and other flammable materials.

• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that fail to ignite or explode.

• Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning or “dud” fireworks.

• Soak them with water and throw them away.

• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

• Never light fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.

• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.

• Check instructions for special storage directions.

• Observe local laws.

• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.

• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.

If your child or someone you know is hit with a firework in or near the eye, call your eye doctor as soon as possible!!

Is that really all I can do? Just call my optometrist?!? Well no but that is the first thing you should do. In fact, we have a good list of things you should NOT do. Fireworks-related eye injuries can combine blunt force trauma, heat burns and chemical exposure. Take a look.

Do NOT rub your eyes.

• Do NOT rinse or flush your eyes.

• Do NOT apply pressure.

• Do NOT remove any objects that are stuck in the eye.

• Do NOT apply ointments or take any pain medications.

WE get it. This is a lot of don’ts. But the best thing you can do is see your optometrist as soon as possible. An eye injury from fireworks is considered a medical emergency and needs to be treated by a medical professional.

If you have any sort of eye emergency contact Mabee Eye Clinic at (605) 996-2537.