The Importance of Eye Safety at Home

Every day, about 2,000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. Safety glasses, at a minimum, as well as goggles, face shields, welding helmets, or full-face respirators are required at all times for a number of jobs. These rules are strictly enforced. But what happens when we leave work and go home?

Home eye injury statistics

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

• Approximately 2.4 million eye injuries occur in the U.S. each year; about half of these occur at home
• 90% of these injuries could have been prevented by using protective eyewear
• ​Accidents involving common household chemical products cause approximately 125,000 eye injuries each year

Dangerous home activities

• Painting, sanding drilling and hammering
• Nail guns (14,800 nail gun incidents a year)
• Cooking and cleaning
• Yard work (ever get hit by debris when using a line trimmer?)

​Protective eyewear reminders

• Get immediate medical attention for any eye injury
• Wear chemical safety goggles when using hazardous solvents and detergents, and do not mix cleaning agents
• Turn spray nozzles away from your face
• Read and follow directions when opening bottle-tops (e.g. wine, carbonated beverages). Many eye-related injuries are attributed to champagne corks
• Wear safety glasses when cutting grass or using a trimmer or edger
• Wear safety glasses when doing any woodworking activities
• Wear recommended protective eyewear during sports and recreational activities
• If you get something in your eye do not rub. If chemical-related flush the eye immediately for at least 15 minutes
• Do not remove objects that are stuck in the eye as this could cause vital fluids to leak out
• Do not wash eyes when dealing with cuts or punctures
• Use a cold compress to treat a blunt trauma injury such as a black eye, do not apply pressure

Protect your eyes at home as you do at work!