Prevention of Blindness Society...
NETWORK NEWS
FEBRUARY 2001
Start the New Year Right
. . .
Make Your Home Eye Safe
Nearly 250,000 Americans
are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for eye injuries. More than
half of these occurred while family members were working around the house.
Some of these injuries
cause permanent damage. Already there are one million people who are visually
impaired as the result of an eye injury.
Ninety percent of eye
injuries can be prevented by becoming aware of safety practices and using
proper eye protection. Consider looking at these six areas of home safety to
ensure you are doing all you can to keep your eyes safe from injury:
In and Around the House:
Install and use lights and handrails at stairs and steps.
Use pads or cushioning on sharp corners and edges of
furniture.
Yard and Garden:
Always wear safety glasses or goggles when using lawn
equipment, fertilizers and pesticides.
Follow instructions and warning labels on equipment and
chemicals.
Remove debris from the lawn before mowing.
Workshop:
Follow all instructions and warning labels on tools, power
equipment and building materials.
Protect your eyes with safety glasses or goggles.
Use guards on power equipment.
Require anyone entering a work area to wear eye protection.
Cleaning:
Don’t store powders like dishwasher detergent above your
head, inviting painful spills.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels.
Wear chemical safety goggles.
Store cleaning products in a secure area and out of the
reach of children.
Toy and Play Areas:
Avoid toys with sharp points, shafts, spikes, rods and shard
edges.
Be aware that BB and pellet guns, bows and arrows and darts
are extremely dangerous and should not be given to children.
On the Road:
Wear eye protection for auto maintenance/repair.
Follow proper battery jump-start procedures.
© 2001 Prevention of Blindness Society of the Metropolitan Area, Washington, DC. All Rights Reserved.