Holiday Eye Safety: Setting Up a Christmas Tree

With the winter season comes beautiful decorations, the smell of fresh evergreens, and more chances for eye injuries. These accidents are not what anyone wants during the holidays. Many things happen in ways you would never expect. Young children, excited by all the activity, often dart in and out of the room and put themselves right at eye level with branches, hooks, and sprays. A little awareness of Holiday eye safety can help keep your family safe and out of the emergency room.

Watch Out For The Tree Itself

The tree is usually the first new “guest” in your home. Fresh trees are often bundled with twine to keep the branches tight. When you cut the cord, those branches can snap outward with surprising force. A branch hitting your hand may sting, but a branch hitting your eye can cause serious injury.

Wear eye protection when you cut the twine or move the tree into place, and keep children at a safe distance until the tree is fully opened and secure.

Handle Decorations With Care

Many classic holiday decorations are made from materials that can irritate or injure the eye.

• Glitter on ornaments is often made from tiny flakes of polyester coated with aluminum. These sharp edges can scratch the cornea, especially if they fall into the eye and are rubbed in.

• Angel hair is made from spun fiberglass. If you choose to use it, wear gloves and eye protection and keep it away from children.

• Artificial snow sprays can irritate the eyes if sprayed too close or in a poorly ventilated area. Always wear eye protection and follow the directions on the can.

Traditional decor can be beautiful, but it is not always kid-friendly. The good news is that many manufacturers now offer shatter-resistant plastic ornaments and safer materials, which reduce the risk of broken glass and flying fragments.

What To Do If An Eye Injury Happens

Even with good precautions, accidents can still occur. If you or someone in your family has an eye injury:

• Do not rub the eye.

• Do not try to remove anything that is stuck in the eye.

• If a chemical or spray gets in the eye, run clean water over the eye for 15 minutes while someone else calls for help.

• If the eye is cut, gently cover it with a small paper cup or shield to protect it from further harm.

In all of these situations, seek medical attention right away. Quick care can help protect vision and prevent a minor injury from becoming something more serious.