Last Updated on September 20, 2024 by Aaron Barriga
Every year, almost 50% of the estimated 2.5 million eye injuries occur at home, with the most common sites being the garage or the yard. |
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Most people wear safety glasses at work and when playing sports but the same people won’t think about eye safety at home when cooking, cleaning the yard, or doing work in the garage. All too often, when people are doing household chores, they tend to forget about the risks they take by not wearing protective eyewear. A split-second is all it takes to impair your vision for life so reduce the risk of potential eye injuries at home by following these:
7 Eye Safety Tips During Daily Tasks in and Around Your Home
1. Wear Safety Goggles to Protect Your Eyes When Working Outdoors
Almost 90% of all eye injuries can be avoided by wearing safety eyewear. |
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that normal glasses are efficient at protecting your eyes because they may shatter if struck, causing even more damage than you can imagine. Most home renovation projects involve the use of hazardous chemicals and sharp tools that can cause irreparable damage to your eyes in case of accident.
So, make sure you wear specially designed polycarbonate safety goggles that provide excellent protection during yard work, spring cleaning and home improvements.
2. Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions for Safe Handling of Chemicals
Household chemicals like lime dust, detergents, cleaners or bleach cause 125,000 eye injuries every year. When using these hazardous solvents and chemicals at home, make sure the area is well-ventilated and wear chemical safety goggles. Also, never make the mistake of mixing caustic substances or chemicals agents and always follow the manufacturer guidelines and warnings.
Sometimes eye injuries still occur so, in the event of an eye injury, flush your eyes with water for 20 minutes to wash away the chemicals and seek medical attention at the earliest.
3. Ensure Safety on the Stairs to and Install Sufficient Lighting in Every Corner
Ensure safety on the stairs and walkways, install gates, secure rugs and remove all tripping hazards to avert potential eye injuries. Also install sufficient lighting and handrails, especially if you have toddlers or senior citizens in your home
4. Inspect the Yard Prior to Undertaking any Project
Before undertaking any yard work like mowing the lawn or trimming the weeds, remove all the dirt and debris including branches, twigs and thorns to prevent potential eye injuries and wear safety glasses.
5. Maintain Safety in the Kitchen with Eye Shield
Cooking food can splatter hot oil or grease in your eyes. Use an eye safety shield to prevent hot oils from splashing on your face and damaging your vision.
6. Wash Hands Thoroughly after Completing a Task
Always remember to wash your hands after you have completed any work and before you touch your face or eyes.
7. Maintain Power Tools and Store them Safely When not in Use
Be sure to stack all power tools and chemicals out of the reach of small children. All screws, nails, and sharp hand tools can shoot off accidentally while power tools can propel dirt and debris into the air, resulting in serious eye injuries that invite a medical emergency. So make sure they are in good working condition and store them carefully.
If you experience any eye injury, do not touch the eye or rub it. Also, do not apply any medication and don’t attempt to remove any foreign object from the eye yourself.
Whether you have suffered an eye injury due to a flying object or a hazardous chemical, cover the eye with a shield or tape a cup over it and seek medical attention immediately. Visit your nearest ophthalmologist for immediate assistance.
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center. With a knack for understanding medical procedures, and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.
