If you’re making sparklers part of your celebrations this summer, wearing safety glasses is the surest way to prevent an accidental eye injury from ruining a fun night. Without appropriate eye protection, mishandled sparklers can cause eye injuries, including ocular burns and corneal abrasions, that can lead to permanent vision impairment or loss.
Children are the most common victims of eye injuries caused by sparklers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that sparklers are the cause of nearly half of all the fireworks-related eye injuries sustained by children.
Keep reading to learn more about wearing safety glasses during sparklers!
Why You Should Wear Safety Glasses When Using Sparklers
In comparison to fireworks, sparklers are often thought to be relatively safe, but in inexperienced hands, they can be just as dangerous to the eyes. Here are the most important reasons why you should wear safety glasses when using sparklers:
High Burn Temperature
Sparklers burn at very high temperatures, often exceeding 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. If sparks come into contact with eyes, that intense heat can cause severe eye injuries.
Flying Sparks
As sparklers burn down, they emit sparks that can fly in unpredictable directions. These hot sparks can easily come into contact with the eyes, causing painful burns or other injuries.
Accidental Contact
When sparklers are used in a crowded setting, it’s easy to make accidental contact with a lit portion of a sparkler. It also increases the risk of one person’s sparkler inflicting an eye injury on someone else.
Smoke and Debris
The smoke and debris from sparklers are another potential source of eye injuries, like irritation and minor abrasions.
What Should I Look For in a Pair of Safety Glasses?
When purchasing safety glasses, here are some of the things that you should look for:
Impact-Resistant Lenses
Unless you will also be using the safety glasses in an industrial setting, safety glasses with polycarbonate lenses are an impact-resistant, lightweight, and affordable option.
Side Protection
To prevent eye hazards from entering the exposed sides of glasses, look for safety glasses with side protection.
Proper Size
One size might not fit all when purchasing safety glasses. Consider the face size of the wearer to ensure a snug fit.
Comfort
The right safety glasses should be comfortable for the wearer. Some safety glasses have options like adjustable arms and padded noses for optimal comfort.
Other Ways to Increase the Safe Use of Sparklers
In addition to wearing safety glasses, consider these other safety tips when using sparklers:
- Light sparklers one stick at a time
- Hold sparklers an arm’s length from your face and body
- Always use sparklers while standing, not sitting
- Closely supervise children and be sure they understand how to use sparklers safely
- Don’t pass around lit sparklers
- Only use sparklers outside and in open areas to provide ample space for safe movement and minimize the risk of fire
- Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby to quickly extinguish sparklers after use or in case of emergency
This summer, you can enjoy sparklers worry-free by always wearing safety glasses. Safety glasses are the surest way to protect everyone’s eyes from the potential dangers posed by sparklers.
Schedule an appointment at Shepherd Eye Center at one of our 5 locations in Las Vegas or Henderson, NV, today!
