The American Academy of Ophthalmology dedicates every month of the year to visualize and raise awareness about the importance of maintaining good eye health, which is why the month of June has been declared Fireworks Eye Safety Month.

It should be noted that fireworks should be handled with extreme caution and care, as they can cause serious injury to the eyes and other areas of the body as they are incendiary and explosive devices.

It is no secret that the 4th of July is a very important day for Americans, but, in the dates around and even on this very day is when most fireworks injuries happen, occurring approximately in mid-June and July.

It is estimated that as the 4th of July holiday approaches, the number of people going to the emergency room for fireworks injuries increases (in the thousands). About 30% of the injuries affect the fingers and hands, more than 20% affect the legs, followed by 15% in the eye area.

Eye damage caused by fireworks can be momentary or permanent, so its severity is variable. The following can occur: impact trauma, contusions, lacerations, rupture of the eyeball, corneal abrasions, foreign bodies in the eyes, chemical and thermal burns, retinal detachment and loss of vision.

Most of the victims are children (under 15 years of age), who due to their young age are not aware of the negative consequences of the inappropriate use of these elements and the magnitude they can reach. It is worth mentioning that even devices manufactured for children's amusement, such as sparklers, can be highly dangerous.

Even so, there are a series of recommendations and precautions that we can adopt to enjoy fireworks safely and reducing as much as possible the probability of suffering any damage to the eyes or any other part of the body, prevention is possible!

- First of all, children should not play with fireworks, and in case they are allowed to use sparklers it should always be under the supervision of a responsible adult. In addition, the child should not bring the sparkler close to the face or any other part of the body and should not run while holding it.

- The most advisable and safest thing to do is to let the professionals handle these devices and limit ourselves to observe the pyrotechnic show and do not choose to buy fireworks for domestic use. 

- However, in the event that someone decides to buy them and use them, they should make sure to light them in a clear outdoor area (never inside the house or in enclosed spaces), trying to be at a safe distance from the people watching and away from flammable elements. In addition, it is important to wear eye protection.

- Another factor to keep in mind is that, since each state has its own laws regarding the use and sale of fireworks for domestic use, it is extremely important to be informed of the statutes established in the region where we live.

- It is essential to have a bucket of water on hand to submerge fireworks that were not ignited or those that have already been used to ensure that they cannot be reignited.

- They should not be ignited inside a container, especially if it is made of metal or glass.

- Bystanders should observe fireworks from a safe distance (approximately 500 feet). Keep in mind that most people who are harmed are observers, not handlers.

However, in the event that you have suffered an eye injury from fireworks, you should immediately go to the emergency medical service, and to avoid aggravating the situation, you should consider the following:

·Do not rub the eyes or apply pressure, as this may increase bleeding. Do not administer aspirin or ibuprofen as these medications may produce the same effect.

·Do not remove any item or body stuck in the eye on your own.

·The eye should be protected from contact with any other object.