Every year, eye doctors across the country see a spike in eye injuries around the Fourth of July. Eye injuries make up 19% of firework-related injuries and can cause anything from irritation to permanent vision loss. Here’s what you should know to prevent eye injuries this Independence Day.

How to Protect Your Eyes From Fireworks

1. Practice General Firework Safety

The safest way to enjoy the Fourth is to attend a professional firework show. However, smaller fireworks are also legal to purchase in Maryland, so if you’re going to use them at home, be smart. Keep water on hand to douse malfunctioning fireworks.

Fire them from a clear area with no bystanders nearby; many of the people who sustain firework injuries were not the ones handling them. Always have an adult light the fireworks, and have adults supervise closely when children and teens are using sparklers and other novelties. Never lean over a lit or malfunctioning firework.

2. Wear Eye Protection

Safety goggles are designed to protect your eyes from impacts and burns. Choose a pair that are made for construction, power tool use, or the shooting range.

Swim goggles are not effective eye protection because they fit too closely to the individual eye and can cause injuries when forced into the face by an impact. Eyeglasses are also not appropriate eye protection because they can shatter.

3. Prepare for Injuries

If someone does get an eye injury from a firework, knowing how to handle it can give them the best chance of recovery. Don’t touch, rub, or put pressure on the eye, and don’t try to take anything out of it because this can move debris or irritate burned areas and make injuries worse.

Also, don’t rinse the eye, as water can cause more damage in the case of firework injuries. Don’t take any pain medication that also acts as a blood thinner, like aspirin and ibuprofen. Take the person straight to an eye doctor for emergency treatment.

If you have an emergency this fireworks season and need an eye doctor, visit the Medical Eye Center in Columbia, MD. Since 1972, they’ve served Howard and Montgomery counties, offering treatment that takes your whole-body wellness into account. Their ophthalmologists are board-certified, and they also have optometrists and cosmetic specialists on staff. Call (410) 997-9900 for an appointment or visit them online today.