PAO, Monthly Awareness

Protect Your Sight

The Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology and Eye M.D.s around the state suggest that you attend a public fireworks display as a safe, patriotic way to honor the Fourth of July and to ensure the health and safety of your family.

An Eye M.D. is an ophthalmologist - a medical doctor who provides the full spectrum of eye and vision care. From eyeglasses to contact lenses, to medication and surgery, your Eye M.D. will help you keep your sight for life.

View public fireworks displays from at least 500 feet away.
Respect the safety barriers set up by pyrotechnicians.
Let trained professionals light the fireworks.
Follow the directions of local firemen and police at public displays.
Do not touch unexploded fireworks.

Although illegal fireworks, such as bottle rockets and Roman candles, account for the majority of injuries, legal "Class C Common Fireworks" cause thousands of injuries each year.

Thousands of fireworks injuries are caused by legal fireworks.
Bottle rockets are the most dangerous. The rockets fly erratically and the bottles or cans used to launch the rockets can explode, showering fragments of glass or metal, often resulting in bystander injuries.
For children under the age of five, sparklers account for more than one half of all fireworks injuries. Fascinated by the bright sparks, children find these sticks of fire - burning as hot as 1,800 degrees, hot enough to melt gold - irresistible to touch.

There are still approximately 9300 fireworks-related injuries each year, with nearly 2000 of those affecting the eyes.

Twenty percent of fireworks injuries involve the eye.
Children, 15 and younger account for 50 percent of all fireworks injuries each year in the United States.
As many as 400 Americans loose vision in one or both eyes due to fireworks injuries.

Patient Information Handout - English

Patient Information Handout - Spanish


	Back to Monthly Awareness Monthly Awareness: Fireworks Eye Safety Protect Your Sight The Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology and Eye M.D.s around the state suggest that you attend a public fireworks display as a safe, patriotic way to honor the Fourth of July and to ensure the health and safety of your family. An Eye M.D. is an ophthalmologist - a medical doctor who provides the full spectrum of eye and vision care. From eyeglasses to contact lenses, to medication and surgery, your Eye M.D. will help you keep your sight for life. View public fireworks displays from at least 500 feet away. Respect the safety barriers set up by pyrotechnicians. Let trained professionals light the fireworks. Follow the directions of local firemen and police at public displays. Do not touch unexploded fireworks. Although illegal fireworks, such as bottle rockets and Roman candles, account for the majority of injuries, legal "Class C Common Fireworks" cause thousands of injuries each year. Thousands of fireworks injuries are caused by legal fireworks. Bottle rockets are the most dangerous. The rockets fly erratically and the bottles or cans used to launch the rockets can explode, showering fragments of glass or metal, often resulting in bystander injuries. For children under the age of five, sparklers account for more than one half of all fireworks injuries. Fascinated by the bright sparks, children find these sticks of fire - burning as hot as 1,800 degrees, hot enough to melt gold - irresistible to touch. There are still approximately 9300 fireworks-related injuries each year, with nearly 2000 of those affecting the eyes. Twenty percent of fireworks injuries involve the eye. Children, 15 and younger account for 50 percent of all fireworks injuries each year in the United States. As many as 400 Americans loose vision in one or both eyes due to fireworks injuries. Patient Information Handout - English Patient Information Handout - Spanish Reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology