December brings holiday celebrations, festive decorations, and excitement as families exchange gifts. While this season creates cherished memories, it also brings unique risks to eye safety that many families don’t anticipate.
Thousands of Americans seek emergency treatment for eye injuries during the holidays each year. Many of these accidents are preventable with simple precautions.
Keep reading to learn how to protect your family’s eyes during Safe Toys and Celebrations Month!
Common Holiday Eye Hazards
The holidays introduce several risks to eye health that many families overlook. Here are some of the most common eye hazards to be aware of during the holiday season:
Toy-Related Injuries
Toys with projectiles, such as dart guns, slingshots, and foam shooters, can cause serious corneal abrasions or retinal damage if they strike the eye. Even toys with sharp edges or pointed parts pose threats to young children who may trip or fall while playing. Sports equipment and recreational gifts can also lead to injuries when children use them without proper protective eyewear.
Decorating Dangers
Pine needles and tree branches can scratch the cornea when you’re setting up your Christmas tree. Hanging ornaments often requires reaching overhead, where hooks or decorations can easily contact your eyes. When working with holiday lights, you face risks from ladders, staple guns, and outdoor debris.
Champagne Cork Injuries
Champagne bottles present a risk many adults don’t anticipate. Corks can fly from bottles at speeds up to 50 miles per hour, potentially causing permanent vision loss. This injury occurs most often during celebratory moments when people gather closely together.
Kitchen and Cooking Hazards
Holiday cooking exposes your eyes to hot cooking oil splatters, oven steam when checking dishes, and chemical cleaners used during meal preparation. The combination of rushed cooking and crowded kitchens increases the risk of accidental contact with hot surfaces or liquids near your face.
Choosing Safe Toys for Children
Selecting age-appropriate toys helps protect children’s developing vision.
Always check the manufacturer’s age recommendations on toy packaging before purchasing. Avoid toys with sharp edges, pointed ends, or projectile components for children under eight years old. Look for toys labeled as safety-tested.
It’s also important to read warning labels carefully and follow all age guidelines. Even toys marketed as safe can cause injuries if used by children who are too young.
Remember to supervise playtime, especially when new toys arrive. Teaching children proper toy use prevents many accidents before they happen.
Protect Your Family’s Vision This Season
Simple precautions can prevent most holiday eye injuries. Choose toys carefully, supervise children during play, wear protective eyewear when decorating, and handle beverages safely.
If an eye injury does occur, seek medical attention immediately. Never rub an injured eye or try to remove objects embedded in the eye yourself.
If you experience sudden vision changes, persistent pain, bleeding, or visible damage to the eye, head to the emergency room or contact an eye care professional right away.
Have questions about eye safety or need treatment for an eye injury? Schedule an appointment at All Eye Care, P.A. in Waxahachie, TX, today!
