The holidays should be filled with joy, not emergency room visits. While festive traditions feel harmless, many common staples, from high-velocity corks to projectile toys, pose serious risks to your vision.
At Eyeglass Maxx, your trusted eye doctor in Port Charlotte, FL, we want to ensure your season stays bright. Here is our expert breakdown of holiday risks and the “Do This, Not That” guide to eye injury prevention.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), thousands of holiday-related eye injuries occur annually. Understanding the physics behind these risks is the first step in prevention:
The Risks: Velocity and Impact
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), thousands of holiday-related eye injuries occur annually. Understanding the physics behind these risks is the first step in prevention:
- Champagne Corks: A cork can exit a bottle at 50 mph. At this speed, it can cause blunt force trauma, retinal detachment, or even permanent vision loss.
- Toy Projectiles: Airsoft guns and even “soft” foam dart blasters can cause corneal abrasions or hyphema (internal bleeding) if they strike the eye at close range.
- Sharp Decorations: Glass ornaments and pine needles are common culprits for painful corneal scratches.
Actionable Insight: The “Do This, Not That” Safety Checklist
Follow these evidence-based tips to keep your family safe this year.Safe Holiday Toys
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets rigorous standards, but it’s up to us to choose wisely.- DO THIS: Look for the ASTM F963 approval on packaging. This ensures the toy meets federal safety requirements.
- NOT THAT: Don’t buy toys with sharp points, rods, or high-velocity projectiles for children under age 12.
- DO THIS: Gift protective eyewear along with sports equipment or NERF-style blasters. You can find durable options on our eyeglass frames in Nokomis page.
Opening Champagne
- DO THIS: Chill the bottle to 45°F or colder. Warmer bottles have higher pressure, making the cork more volatile.
- DO THIS: Cover the cork with a towel and hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and others.
- NOT THAT: Never “pop” the cork. Slowly twist the bottle (not the cork) to let the pressure release with a dull “thud” rather than a bang.
Decorations
- DO THIS: Wear safety glasses when trimming the tree to avoid needle pokes.
- NOT THAT: Avoid placing glass ornaments or “angel hair” (spun glass) on lower branches where pets or toddlers can reach them.
