Eye injuries can cause serious damage to your vision and can even cause
blindness. While you may not expect your home to be a dangerous place
when it comes to your eyes and vision, according to medical statistics,
nearly half of all
eye injuries each year occur in and around the home.
Whether cooking in your kitchen or doing yard work or using power tools
in your workshop, there are a number of eye injury risks in your own home.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular
Trauma both recommend that every household have at least one pair of protective
eyewear that has been manufactured to meet the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) eye protection standard. Wearing proper eye protection
can help prevent
eye trauma that could affect your vision.
Common eye injury risks around the home
Some of the most common eye injury risks around the home include:
- Hazardous chemicals and solvents found in cleaners and other household products.
- Hot grease or oil that splatters when cooking.
- Using hot objects such as curling irons around the face.
- Slipping and falling.
- Working with tools.
- Yard work such as lawn mowing, using a power trimmer or edger and trimming
hedges and bushes.
- Using bungee cords to secure objects.
- Opening a champagne bottle.
- Children’s toys such as BB guns, darts, bows and arrows and other
Preventing eye injuries at home
The good news is that many eye injuries are entirely preventable. Whether
you are the one performing one of the above activities or you are a bystander,
your eyes are at risk. By taking the proper precautions, you can protect
your eyes and save your vision.
Use these safety tips to help reduce the risk of eye injuries around your home:
- Always wear protective eyewear any time your eyes might be exposed to flying
objects, particles or dust.
- Use caution with chemicals and cleaners. Carefully read the labels to know
what to do if the product gets in the eyes, and do not mix products.
- Secure loose rugs, railings and other items around the home that may cause
someone to slip and fall.
- Prior to mowing or doing yard work, check the lawn for small rocks or other
items that could become a projectile.
- Do not use damaged tools and always supervise children using tools, including
pencils, scissors and knives.
- Use grease shields when cooking with hot oil to protect against splattering.
- Use caution when opening a champagne bottle. Never shake the bottle, and
point it at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and bystanders when opening.
Cover the top of the bottle and cork with a towel to keep the cork from
flying off and hitting someone or something.
- Avoid children’s toys that might involve some sort of a projectile
like darts or BB guns.
Don’t let you or your children suffer an eye injury that could have
been prevented. Take steps to ensure you and your family are safe in your own home.