Eye Injuries at Home: Common Causes & How to Avoid Them

When you think of home, you usually think of a safe haven. The reality is that over 40% of eye injuries happen in the home. We become complacent and don’t always consider the dangers of everyday activities and objects in our living space. There are several things you should know about eye injuries that happen at home.

Common Causes of Home Eye Injuries

There are many areas that could put your vision at risk if you do not take precautions. Simple outdoor chores like mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, or pruning shrubs should be done with protective eye wear. There are many risks indoors as well. The following list includes areas and tasks that could increase your risk of eye injury:

• Handling chemicals like bleach and cleaning products
• Cooking foods with oil or hot grease
• Using power tools to install nails or screws into hard surfaces
• Any appliance that heats up like curling irons and straighteners
• Wrinkled rugs or any tripping hazard that could cause a fall
• Any renovation or restorative work done in your home

5 Tips to Prevent Eye Injuries at Home

Most people get through the day without an eye injury. The good news is that there are several things you can do to lower the risk.

• Read all labels on chemicals and cleaning products and never mix products. Also, pour away from your face in case of splash back.
• Remove all tripping hazards by smoothing or removing rugs and putting away objects sitting on floors or stairs.
• Only use tools that are in good condition and put on protective eye wear when necessary.
• Direct all spray nozzles on hoses or sinks away from your face before using.
• Use a lid or grease shield on pans when frying anything that could splatter.

And remember to schedule regular appointments with your ophthalmologist to stay on top of changes in your vision. Your eye doctor can provide advice and suggestions for making your home safer for you and your family.

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