We all love a warm long weekend filled with sunshine, barbecues, and fireworks! Don’t ruin your long weekend with ocular trauma caused by nonprofessional firework play.
- 19 percent (1,200) of hospital injuries during the July 4th holiday were to the eyes. Sparklers accounted for 1,400 injuries, firecrackers (1,400) and bottle rockets (100).
- 40% of fireworks injuries were to children under age 15.
- For children under 5 years old, sparklers accounted for the most estimated injuries for that specific age group.
There were 11 fireworks-related deaths in 2014.
Follow these tips to prevent eye injury and harm this upcoming Independence Day:
- Do not let children play with fireworks.
- Do not purchase or use store fireworks.
- Only attend public firework displays. These displays are conducted by licensed firework operators.
Click here to learn more about firework safety.
