LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Fireworks are typically at the center of every Fourth of July celebration.
While they’re a sight to see when exploding in the sky, they can do more harm than good if misused.
Dr. Kelly Mitchell, an eye surgeon with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, says it’s vital to be cautious and prepared when using what he calls a “small explosive device.”
“Projectile injures, very much like the pieces of material what we call shrapnel, and that can enter deep into the eye,” Mitchell said. “This is where it’s really common and we don’t think about it, because we’re lighting it and it’s kind of a controlled explosion, there’s a lot of thermal energy, what we call burns.”
Dr. Mitchell said there are many precautions you can take when using fireworks.
Such as creating a safe zone of 50 to 100 feet around the fireworks, having a hose and dirt ready to throw on faulty fireworks, and wearing eye and hand protection.
Dr. Mitchell said wearing eye protection most likely saved his friend’s vision after a firework incident.
“One of their fireworks detonated early, and this person was knocked backwards and sustained some mild facial burns but fortunately the eyes, eyelids were really protected,” Mitchell said. “We’re pretty confident if he had not been wearing these, he would have sustained significant, likely non-repairable and potentially blinding eye injuries.”
Dr. Mitchell encourages people to take the time and spend an extra few dollars on protective gear, as it takes just one accident to change a life for the worse.
“Be safe and save money or not be safe and run the risk of spending a whole lot more money,” Mitchell said. “In addition to the emotional heartache of a parent who loves their children always wanting to know I did the best to protect my child.”
