The most common causes of eye injuries to children are:
- Misuse of toys
- Falls from beds, against furniture, on stairs, and when playing with toys
- Misuse of everyday tools and objects (work and garden tools, knives and forks, pens and pencils)
- Contact with harmful household products (detergents, paints, glues, etc.)
- Automobile accidents.
Indoor Safety
- Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
- Provide lights and handrails to improve safety on stairs.
- Pad or cushion sharp corners and edges of furnishing and home fixtures.
- Install cabinet and drawer locks in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Store personal-use items (cosmetics, toiletry products), kitchen utensils, and desk supplies where they are out of reach for children.
- Keep paints, pesticides, fertilizers, and similar products properly stored in a secure area.
Toy Safety
- Read all warnings and instructions on toys.
- Avoid toys with sharp or rigid points, shafts, spikes, rods, and dangerous edges.
- Keep toys intended for older children away from younger children.
- Avoid flying toys and projectile-firing toys; these pose a danger to all children, particularly those under five years old.
- Be aware of items in playgrounds and play areas that pose potential eye hazards.
- Keep BB guns away from kids.
Car Safety
- Use occupant restraints such as infant and child safety seats, booster seats, safety belts, and shoulder harnesses in cars.
- Children age 12 and younger should never ride in the front seat.
- Store loose items in the trunk, or secured on the floor. Any loose object can become dangerous in a crash.
