You don't have to work in a machine shop or with toxic chemicals to be at risk for eye injury and resultant vision loss. Of the thousands of eye accidents that happen each day, most of them occur in the home or recreation environment.
Where's the hazard? Practically anything – lawnmowers, bug spray, water balloons, mascara, toilet bowl cleaner, fertilizer, tables, pencils, glitter makeup, fishhooks, circular saws, balls, hair spray, and even a pillowcase or a burned out light bulb – can cause eye injury. So can nearly every activity – including volleyball, housecleaning, painting, or running.
Safety Tips
Some of the most ordinary activities can cause extraordinary injuries. The good news, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is that a little common sense and a pair of tight-fitting goggles can prevent a devastating eye injury or blindness.
Here are a few suggestions for creating an eye-friendly house, yard, and garden:
- Inspect and remove debris from lawns before mowing.
- Before using lawn or weed trimmers, clear away rocks and other debris, and put on your goggles.
- Wear eye protection when using bungee cords. Recoiling bungee cords are becoming an increasingly common cause of both severe blunt and penetrating eye injuries.
- Use occupant restraints such as infant and child safety seats, booster seats, safety belts, and shoulder harnesses in cars. Place infants and children under age 12 in the back seat.
- Avoid toys with sharp or rigid points, shafts, spikes, rods, and dangerous edges, particularly with children under age 5. Use caution with older children.
- Avoid projectile items such as slingshots, BB and paint ball guns, and bow-and-arrows, particularly in children under age 5. Use caution with older children.
- Keep toys intended for older children away from younger children.
- Be aware of the danger of fireworks. Professional firework shows are a great substitute for backyard fireworks.
- Use guards on all power equipment, and wear safety goggles and ear protection as advised.
- Wear chemical safety goggles when using solvents, detergents, cleaners, and fertilizers. Read and follow all manufacturer instructions and warning labels.
- Do not mix cleaning agents.
- Hang ornamental items (such as wind chimes or sun catchers) above the eye level of the tallest person. Trim tree branches along walkways above head level.
- Walk, don't run, when carrying sharp objects (for example scissors or pens).
- Wear eye protection appropriate to the sport you're playing.
- Wear sunglasses or a hat to shade your eyes from sun.
- Always check the direction of the sprayer before applying bug repellent or hair spray.
- When applying spray pesticide or fertilizer, be sure all people and pets are up wind.
- Shake out entry rugs, floor mats, and sand-filled blankets downwind of people.
- Realize that regular eyeglasses don't always provide enough protection.
- Wear goggles when working on your car, including jump-starting. Battery acid, sparks, and debris flying from damaged or improperly jump-started cars can severely damage the eyes. Carry a pair of goggles in your car so you can wear them during emergency repairs.
- Keep your tools in good condition. Damaged tools should be repaired or replaced.
- Wear safety glasses or dust goggles to protect against flying particles from chain saws, circular saws, hedge trimmers, and other equipment.
- Provide lights and handrails to improve safety on stairs.
- Fishhook injuries are rare, but they can happen. Supervise young fishermen.
- If you wear makeup, use special caution with mascara and glitter.
- Leave personal-use items (such as cosmetics and toiletry products), kitchen utensils, and desk supplies where they are not easily accessible to children.
- Keep paints, pesticides, fertilizers and similar products properly stored in a secure area to decrease risk of accidental exposure.
- Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs if you have small children or people with physical or emotional handicaps that might put them at risk.
- Pad or cushion sharp corners and edges of furnishing and home fixtures if appropriate.
- Install cabinet and drawer locks in kitchens and bathrooms to keep small children from accidentally accessing harmful products.
- Supervise children – especially when they're playing in sand or dirt – to keep them from throwing it.
- Use good lighting when reading, playing computer games, cross-stitching, working on puzzles, and more. Although reading in low light or working on a computer doesn't make you go blind, it can cause eyestrain.
- If you allow pillow fights, enforce a below-the-neck policy and designate an out-of-play rest area.
According to Prevent Blindness America, bystanders are in almost as great a danger as the person using dangerous tools or chemicals in the home. If the scenario calls for you to wear safety goggles, then those watching you work (your children, for example) should be wearing them too. |
