Keep Your Eyes Safe

Over a million people suffer an eye injury in the United States each year.

90% of those injuries could have been prevented with some easy precautions. Here are some tips to protect your eyes.

You drive defensively to prevent accidents. Do the same for your eyes.

Before using chemicals, read their use instructions and labels carefully. Many chemicals are hazardous to the eyes so you need to be careful in using them. That means taking the precautions outlined in the information which comes with the chemicals. It also means avoiding the stupid accidents such as looking into a spray nozzle as your press button to spray the chemical.

Plan what you are doing before you do it. Pay attention to what you are doing. Accidents happen when we are not careful.

Wear protective gear even when using chemicals that seem to be safe. You may think you do not need goggles or safety glasses when changing or charging a car battery but some blind people would vehemently disagree. Battery acid sparks and debris from damaged or improperly jump-started auto batteries can severely damage your eyes. Keep protective goggles in the trunk of your car to use for car emergencies and everyday repairs.

Also wear protective eye gear when on the job whether you think you need the safety glasses or not. Many of the thousands injured each day didn't think they needed eye protection or were wearing eyewear inappropriate for the job. People blinded on the job will tell you they wish they had looked stupid wearing the safety glasses instead of losing their vision.

And, wear protective eye wear at home even if you do not think you need it.

Many thousands are injured at home doing such seeming mundane chores as cutting or edging the lawn.

Put on protective eyewear before you use a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger and be sure to check for rocks and stones because they can become dangerous projectiles as they shoot from these machines.

Be smart.

Protect your eyes.

~ Staff writer for SafetyIssues.com