Wow – 2016 is wrapping up and we are headed full steam into 2017! Big Bend Family Eye Care knows that it’s a great time to reflect on what was and to eagerly anticipate what will be. But before we do that, we must say goodbye to 2016 properly. And what is a good way to do that? FIREWORKS!!

Honestly, who doesn’t love fireworks? Loud sounds mixed with bright lights & explosions are downright awesome. There is, however, an inherent danger with things that go boom! Our staff here want you to take your eye safety very seriously. When it comes to the bright and beautiful light shows, it’s fun to sit with your kids to sit and make memories. Let’s just make sure that you’re making the right kind of memories – not the ones where you get to sit in one of our chairs because you thought that Hollywood’s firework shows were a bit lacking, so you decided to show them ‘how it’s done’

Regardless of age, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries.

Fireworks & Eye Safety 101

Regardless of age, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries. We must say that the best way to protect yourself is to just not use any explosives what-so-ever. But, that’s just not going to work here. If you want to do fireworks, make sure it is legal where you live. Some city, counties, and state outlaw the personal use of pyrotechnics. That would be the ultimate insult-to-injury – getting an eye injury from fireworks and then, once you leave us, going to jail for the illegal use of said pyrotechnics. You can contact your local Police Department or Fire Department to double check.

With that in mind, here are a few good ground rules before starting your award winning effects show:

Eye Safety for the Kiddos

• Never, ever, ever let them play with fireworks – not even to win the ‘Coolest Dad of the Year’ award. These are way too dangerous. If you are playing with sparklers, keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can melt gold.
• DO NOT hold fireworks in your hand. Look, you were only given TWO hands and TEN fingers. Don’t do anything that would cause you to give someone a ‘high-four’ later in life.
• DO NOT pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.

Eye Safety for the Adults:

• Buy only legal fireworks. Usually, illegal fireworks usually go by the ‘M’ names: M-80, M100, or sound deadly: blockbuster, bunkerbuster, or quarterpounder. We’d hold off on those..
• DO NOT make your own fireworks. You are not McGuyver.
• Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.
• DO NOT recreate the Civil War and have a bottle rocket war with your friends. This is how you can sustain major eye injuries.
• Rockets Red Glare: Leave multiple fireworks to the pros. Just light one firework at a time. If it’s a dud, pour water on it and move on.
• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can. Some can still be burning and could ignite the trash can’s contents.

If you or your child’s body is harmed or injured by fireworks, go straight to the hospital. If an eye injury occurs, come see us at Big Bend Family Eye Care. This is what we do and will have the necessary equipment and supplies to treat the injury.

Eye Injury with Fireworks

DO NOT let your child to touch or rub the eye. This is our first reaction, however this may cause even more damage. Also, do not flush the eye or put any ointment on it. You should take a paper cup, cut the bottom out and place it around the eye. Call us immediately at (850) 999-6926 as your child’s eyesight may depend on it.