Almost half of all eye injuries occur at home and most of them are preventable. Protecting your vision starts at home and October is the month1 where the ophthalmologists at Colorado Ophthalmology Associates of Denver, CO, would like to remind you of the ways you can practice eye safety at home. Let’s look at some of the most common hazards at home.
Lawn and Garden Hazards
Weed whacking, mowing, trimming branches and spraying chemicals are all potential hazards that happen outdoors. Practice good eye safety techniques by using goggles or a face shield to protect your eyes and face from flying objects, dirt or chemicals. Make sure your kids are wearing goggles, too, if they are nearby or helping.
Kitchen Hazards
Splatters of grease or hot food can pop into the eye before you even know it’s happening. Adding a splatter screen, pan lid, or turning down the heat are all things that can help prevent this painful injury. Wear disposable gloves when cutting up hot peppers. And keep your face away from a steaming pan or hot oven when you first approach it.
Workshop Hazards
Debris, sawdust, broken nails or screws, and other flying objects can be a hazard in the workshop. Fragments that become airborne can injure you or others nearby. This is a classic example of a place where goggles or safety glasses need to be worn most of the time. Practice extra safety measures when using bungees as tie-downs. They can cause serious harm when they snap back unexpectedly.2
Chemical Hazards
Household chemicals are dangerous and can be easily misused. Common chemicals like oven cleaner or bleach cause 125,00 accidents each year.2 Take the extra time to read the labels and note which direction the nozzle is pointing before using a product. Be careful not to mix products. It’s a great idea to wear goggles before you clean the oven or immerse yourself into a big cleaning project.
Computer Hazards
The many kinds of computers and digital devices being used for hours on end each day can cause screen fatigue, dry eye and headaches. Practice good rules like the 20-20-20 rule (look away for 20 seconds at something 20 feet away every 20 minutes) and blink frequently. Encourage children to limit screen use.
Miscellaneous Hazards
Curling irons or straightening irons can get too close to the eye, causing a serious burn. Use caution when using these tools. Tripping hazards like extension cords, throw rugs, or uneven flooring can all pose potential eye hazards from falls.2
Prevention is Key
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, only 3 out of 10 people wear the right eye protection when working around the house. That means that 90% of eye injuries at home could have easily been prevented with a simple tool like ANSI-approved (American National Standards Institute) goggles or safety glasses.2
Get help with your eyes
If you suffer an eye injury, come immediately to one of our two Colorado locations in Denver or Lakewood. We are here to help if you have an emergency. Or, if it is time to have your eyes checked, call us for an appointment and let us provide you with some of the best ophthalmology care in the region.
Denver: 303-320-1777
Lakewood: 303-989-2023
1 https://nationaldaycalendar.com/home-eye-safety-month-october/
2 https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-in-home
