Richmond, VA (June 20, 2011) – Nearly 6,000 Americans spent part of their Fourth of July holiday in the emergency room in 2009 due to fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Of those, fireworks caused an estimated 1,600 eye injuries. The injuries included contusions, lacerations and foreign bodies in the eye. Some injuries even caused permanent vision loss.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, “safe and sane” fireworks cause more injuries than illegal fireworks, especially to preschool children. For children under the age of 5, half of the total injuries were from sparklers. Children ages 15 and younger make up a significant number of fireworks injuries, accounting for 39 percent.
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic supports the development and enforcement of bans on the importation, sale and use of all fireworks and sparklers, except for authorized public displays by competent licensed operators. The non-profit group believes it is the only effective means of eliminating the social and economic impact of fireworks-related trauma and damage.
“We encourage everyone to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday this year without using consumer fireworks,” said Tim Gresham, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic. “Whether you’re attending community events, family picnics or public displays by fireworks professionals, we wish you and your family a safe Independence Day.”
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic offers the “Safe Summer Celebrations” brochure free to parents. The brochure offers creative tips on celebrating safely for kids and adults. Suggestions include everything from face-painting, to making patriotic desserts, to creating glow-in-the-dark t-shirts and hats with special paints and markers.
In case of an eye-related accident, Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic also offers its “First Aid for Eye Emergencies” sticker in both English and Spanish, free to the public, and recommends the following should an eye injury occur:
If there are specks in the eye,
•
DO NOT rub the eye.
DO NOT rub the eye.•Use an eye wash or let tears wash out specks or particles;
Use an eye wash or let tears wash out specks or particles;•Lift the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid;
Lift the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid;•If the speck doesn’t wash out, keep the eye closed, bandage and see a doctor or go to the emergency room.
If the speck doesn’t wash out, keep the eye closed, bandage and see a doctor or go to the emergency room.If the eye or eyelid is cut or punctured,
•DO NOT wash out the eye with water.
DO NOT wash out the eye with water.•DO NOT try to remove an object stuck in the eye.
DO NOT try to remove an object stuck in the eye.•Cover the eye with a rigid shield without pressure. The bottom half of a paper cup may be used. See a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
Cover the eye with a rigid shield without pressure. The bottom half of a paper cup may be used. See a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.For more information on fireworks safety, or to request a free copy of the Safe Summer Celebrations brochure or the First Aid for Eye Emergencies sticker, Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic at (888) 790-2020 or log on to www.TheEyeSite.org.
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic
Edward H. Titmus, Jr. Center for Sight | 11618 Busy Street | Richmond, VA 23236
(804) 423-2020 | toll-free (888) 790-2020 | fax (804) 423-5409
www.TheEyeSite.org
Washington Area Office | 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 700 | Alexandria, VA 22314
Star Pupils is the children's vision campaign of
Halloween should be a fun time that children remember for years to come.
Every year, several hundred families end up in emergency rooms seeking treatment for eye injuries related to masks and costumes.
Click here for a pdf fact sheet on Halloween Safety.
Diabetes and Diabetic Eye Disease (Nov. 2010)
- Control of diabetes at an early age, including children with diabetes, is key to preventing vision loss from diabetic eye disease.
- Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age.
- Diabetic retinopathy is the result of leakage from or abnormal growth of the blood vessels that supply the retina, the light-sensitive and vision-essential region at the back of the eye.
click here for a downloadable fact sheet
June is Fireworks Safety Awareness Month
Previous Information
* Although glaucoma is more prevalent in adults, children may be affected by it as well.
Early Diagnosis is Key to Lessening the Effects of Glaucoma, the
"Sneak Thief of Sight"
- Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world and the leading cause of blindness in African American and Hispanic populations in America
- Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it cannot be restored
- Early diagnosis and treatment can delay or prevent vision loss from glaucoma and other eye diseases
click here for a printable fact sheet
Keep Children's Safety at the Top of Your Shopping List
In the most recent report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), injuries related to toys increased from the previous year. There were close to 186,000 injuries that required emergency room treatment for those ages 15 and younger in 2009, compared with approximately 173,000 in 2008. 90,600 of those injuries were to those less than 5 years of age.
The majority of injuries were to the head and face area, including the eyes. Lacerations, abrasions and contusions made up most of these injuries.
Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Month.
click here for a printable Toy Safety Tip Sheet
The risk for blinding eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), can be lessened by taking basic steps to ensure overall health.
- The risk of vision loss from eye diseases, including AMD, can be lowered if adults:
• Control blood pressure and cholesterol• Stay active and exercise regularly• Get a complete eye exam from an eye care professional- Quitting smoking is essential to maintain healthy vision.
click here for a downloadable fact sheet to share with your staff and families or
visit our AMD Learning Center for more information
Healthy Choices Today Can Lead to Healthy Vision in the Future
The Vision Council and Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic have joined forces to encourage Americans to protect their eyes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
"Putting on sunglasses and applying sunscreen takes only a few minutes and helps avoid dangerous sunburns and future vision issues, such as cataracts or macular degeneration."
Please feel free to download and share these fact sheets:
Dry Eye Syndrome is a painful condition that can impair vision and increase the risk of eye infection.
"Not only do more women have Dry Eye, they are also more likely to develop eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. It is imperative that women of every age make an appointment with their eye doctor as soon as possible to ensure that they are protecting their vision for the future."
click here for a downloadable fact sheet to share with your staff and families
Dry Eye is one of the leading causes of visits to eye care professionals,
and affects about twice as many women as men.
