Embarking on a home improvement project can be an exciting process, but there are also risks as well. Many home improvement tasks involve tools, debris, and chemicals that could pose a serious threat to your eyes. To help you avoid an emergency trip to the eye doctor, here are three critical safety tips to follow.

How to Protect Your Eyes During Home Improvement Projects

1. Wear Goggles or Face Shield

Dust, chemical cleaners, wood chips, and sharp tools are just a few of the many dangers that could cause injuries that may send you to the eye doctor for treatment. Standard glasses, however, will not provide enough protection from these elements, as they could break and cause even more damage to your body.

That’s why you should always wear protective eyewear while you work on improvement projects. Keep a pair of goggles in your workspace, or a face shield made from polycarbonate material. You should only wear products that are designated with an ANSI Z87.1 mark—a rating that satisfies the safety requirements of the American National Standards Institute.

2. Watch Your Tools

You should always keep tools secure when they’re not in use, either by placing them in a tool belt or a proper storage area. Loose tools can fall, potentially harming you or anyone below you. Sharp objects can scratch or puncture the cornea, resulting in injuries that could lead to permanent vision loss.

Similarly, you should keep chemical bottles sealed and out of the way. Otherwise, they could spill or splash into someone’s eyes. 

3. Know Proper First Aid 

If an accident occurs and you get an object embedded in the eye, don’t apply pressure or try to pull it out. Doing so could lead to lasting damage. Instead, call an ambulance or seek emergency medical support.

If loose debris like wood splinters enter the eye, don’t rub, as that can scratch the cornea. Try to rinse it out gently, and follow-up with an eye doctor to assess potential corneal damage. 

In cases of chemical exposure, irrigate the surface of the eye with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes by placing it under a clean faucet. Depending on the product’s emergency instructions, you may need to follow-up with a medical provider. 

Whether you need to see your home improvement projects or your documents at work, Baldwin Optical will help you with your vision needs. Offering comprehensive optical services in Foley, AL, this eye doctor will help you see clearly and safely in all situations. To learn more about this optometrist’s work, visit the vision center online and call (251) 210-3741 to schedule an exam.