Eight Things You Can Do to Promote Eye Safety at Home | Eye Home Safety Awareness Month

Your home may be your castle, but it is also a common site of eye injuries. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, roughly 50 percent of eye injuries occur at home. Some of those eye injuries require a visit to the emergency room and can lead to vision loss.

October is Eye Home Safety Awareness Month. It is a reminder for all of us to take steps to reduce our risk of eye injuries. 
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Why eye injuries happen at home

There are many potential causes of eye injuries, including yard work, cooking, and home improvement projects. Injuries that can occur include: 

• Blunt trauma
• Falls
• Burns
• Foreign body penetration 

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Eye injuries may be so common because people may let their guard down in their own home. You may follow safety recommendations when you are at work or outside your home, but at home, you may feel comfortable and not even think about eye safety.  

Reduce your risk of eye injuries

You can reduce your risk of eye injuries at home by taking certain simple steps. Consider the following eight tips below. 

Wear appropriate eye protection: One of the most important things you can do to reduce the risk of eye injuries at home is to wear eye protection when doing certain types of activities, such as: 

• Cutting weeds and tree branches
• Painting 
• Chopping wood
• Using a sander, saw, or other cutting tools

Using proper eye protection may prevent debris from hitting you in the eye. 

Don’t stand over pots or pans when cooking: Hot oil can splash you in the eye when cooking. Similarly, steam from a boiling pot can lead to an eye burn. Avoid standing directly over any pots or pans while you are cooking. 

Keep sharp tools away from kids. If you have little ones, you know how easily they can grab something that may be dangerous. Take precautions by keeping sharp tools, such as knives, scissors, and screwdrivers, out of reach. 

Remove tripping hazards: Falls are common, especially in older adults, and they can lead to eye injuries. According to the National Council on Aging, about 25 percent of adults age 65 or older have a fall each year. Fall prevention includes checking your environment to remove tripping hazards as much as possible. For instance, remove loose carpets that are easy to trip on. Secure rugs with non-skid pads. Place electrical cords away from walking areas. 

Keep stairs and halls well lit: It is easy to fall if an area is not well lit. Make sure you have adequate lighting on outdoor walkways, hallways, and stairs. 

Ensure child safety precautions are in place: To keep young children safe from eye injuries, place cushions or pads on sharp edges of furniture. Install drawer locks in the bathroom and kitchen to prevent kids from getting ahold of products that may harm their eyes.

Follow the directions on all cleaning products: Mixing certain cleaning products together can result in a toxic combination. The fumes may potentially burn the eyes. Always check the directions before mixing any chemicals. 

Wear chemical safety goggles when using toxic chemicals: Eye safety may not be the first thing that comes to mind when using chemicals around your home, but common chemicals used in cleaning products, pesticides, and pool chemicals can accidentally splash in your eyes and lead to a corneal burn. Wear chemical safety goggles to protect your eyes from splashes. Also, wear rubber gloves when handling containers from toxic chemicals, and avoid rubbing your eyes. 
 
By implementing the above safety precautions, you can reduce your risk of eye injury. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.