Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about celebrating the July 4 holiday safely. Fireworks are a major part of the July 4 tradition, but this is one activity best left to professionals.
Dr. Preston Blomquist, an ophthalmologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says he’s seen people lose vision or even lose their eyes due to backyard amateur fireworks. Bottle rockets are among the most dangerous backyard fireworks. They can shatter the bottle or can when they’re launched, showering spectators with glass and metal fragments. They also fly erratically and can hit people in the eye. Playing with fireworks can also cause serious burns or could start grass fires or house fires. It’s much safer to go to a fireworks show put on by professionals. You’ll be out of danger, and the pros have access to more spectacular fireworks.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/ophth to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in eye care.
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June 2008
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