“You’ll shoot your eye out!” (Let’s hope not!)
Listen to your Mother (and your Optometrist! :-)
Roughly 1 in 10 children's eye injuries that end up in the ER are caused by toys. Each month the American Academy of Ophthalmology recognizes one or more observances dedicated to raising awareness for important eye health issues. In support of Safe Toys and Celebrations Month this December, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises parents to be cautious when choosing holiday gifts for young people and recommends avoiding those that launch projectiles, such as crossbows and BB guns. We'd like to share a few of these with you in the hope that you will have a happy and safe holiday.
Ways to protect the eyes of your little ones during the holidays:
Avoid toys that shoot objects. BB guns, slingshots, dart guns, arrows, water balloon launchers. Even seemingly soft Nerf guns darts can cause harm to delicate eyes.
Avoid drones with spinning rotors.
Avoid toys with lasers. High powered laser pointers can cause permanent vision loss.
Avoid toy swords, or wands.
Select age appropriate gifts by reading labels before you buy.
If your child is given one of these types of toys, provide close supervision while in use.
It's not just about the kids...
The holidays naturally call for social gatherings and celebrations. For adults, make sure to remember eye safety when popping open the champagne bottle.
- When it’s time to open the bottle of champagne, hold the cork down when you’re removing the wire wrapped around the cork.
- A great way to prevent the champagne from spraying or cork flying is to use a towel and point it away from yourself and others.
- Champagne has tons of bubbles filled with gas that expand when warm. With each degree in temperature, pressure builds that can make a cork fly out unexpectedly. To preserve your eyesight (and the taste of your bubbly), always chill your Champagne in the fridge or on ice to about 45 degrees.
- Once you’re finally ready, hold the bottle at about a 45-degree angle and gently pull the cork out.