Tips for Keeping our Homes Eye-Injury Proof
Did you know that about half of eye injuries happen at home every year? Bizarre? Agreed! That’s over a million eye injuries taking place at the comfort of our own abodes each year!
The Main Eye Safety Risks at Home
The simplest home items have the potential of becoming hazards to our eyes in the midst of an accident - from pens and pencils to the corners of tabletops - the roof’s the limit! Even the act of leaning too close to a pan of hot oil on the stove can put our eyes in peril. The greatest threats to the unwary eye, however, are actually household cleaners and small toys.
Out on the lawn, we also need to be cautious of debris ricocheting from lawnmowers as well as while we are gardening or handling power tools. Lawn and garden treatments such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can pose danger.
There’s Good News!
These eye injuries are easy to prevent. Let’s take a look at some precautionary measures that we can take to make sure our eyes are injury-proof in our shelters!
Quick Tips for an Eye-Safe Home
Use protective eyewear.
When working with chemicals or hardware tools that could potentially spray towards the eyes (i.e. cleaning sprays and aerosols, sawdust, or woodchips), ALWAYS wear safety glasses or goggles.
Minimize trip hazards.
Secure any rugs and equip stairways with proper railings and ample lighting.
Also, keep things tidy!
Clear the lawn!
When preparing to mow the lawn or use a weed wacker, be sure to clear out any items that could dislodge if the blades catch them.
Familiarize yourself with the use instructions and warning labels.
Make sure to use cleaning chemicals as instructed and be careful with which chemicals you are using together. No matter how safe they may be, always remember to wash your hands once you’re done with cleaning.
Hands off the eyes!
Avoid touching your eyes, specifically when using cleaning products.
Store tools and cleaners safely.
Steered clear and well out of reach from children and pets.
A Helpful Tool: Make a First Aid Kit & Emergency Plan
One of the ways we can minimize the risk of injury is by having a plan in place for if one were to occur. The most common types of eye injuries are when a foreign substance gets into the eye or penetrates the eye. If a foreign body gets stuck in the eye - Seek immediate medical attention - do NOT try to remove the object yourself or touch the eye. Use a protective shield (like a paper cup) to protect the eye en route to an eye doctor or the emergency room.
Sometimes, small foreign particles can be flushed out with water. If it’s a chemical substance, flushing with water for 20 minutes as much as possible is a great measure to rid the materials out of the eye and minimize any permanent harmful effects.
Have some eye safety questions? We’re here for you! If you’re looking for additional advice on how to keep your home eye-friendly, we’d be happy to help!
