Eye Safety Tips for the Holidays

Online, December 18, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The holidays are the best time of year. The spirit of giving is in the air, friends and family come together to catch up on each other's lives, and memories are made. Of course, nobody wants to remember Christmas for something bad happening. So, when it comes to eye care, there are several often-overlooked areas that can cause eye damage during the holidays. In order to prevent a few of the possible mishaps, here are a few things to consider.

The Christmas tree is one of the most popular items in households around the world. As lovely as it may be, there are a few precautions to take when placing one in your home. When you have kids running around on Christmas day, any low hanging branches sticking out from the tree can be an eye hazard. Be sure to cut off any branches that stick out a little too far. When decorating the tree, if you're using any artificial snow spray, be careful around your eyes. The spray tends to have a lot of chemicals in it that can cause eye irritation. Try finding a chemical free snow spray or a more creative way of decorating the tree like white confetti.

The classic snowball fight is fun, but is also an obvious eye hazard. Getting hit in the eye can cause serious eye damage. Try avoiding a snowball fight, but if it's a family tradition, try making a rule for nothing above the waist, or endure that everyone wears ski or snowboard goggles.

Lastly, the fireplace brings a nice warmth to the holidays, but just be careful of the crackling wood and sparks that can fly out.

The holidays should be a time for family and reflecting on what means most to you. Taking these small eye care precautions can help to make sure you have a safe holiday. Happy Holidays from the East West Eye Institute.