CAUTION: High Risk for Fireworks Eye Injuries in Children

As we celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, remember to keep your kids safe with a few fireworks safety tips.

As you prepare for backyard barbecues and fireworks, the American Academy of Ophthalmology wants to remind you about some safety measures to take during the holiday.

Each year, about 9,000 people are injured every year from fireworks and about 20 percent of those injuries are to the eyes, according to the AAO. Of this number, children amount to more than half of those eye injuries.

Many Americans get caught up in the excitement of the Fourth of July, and forget that fireworks are also dangerous explosives. The safest choice is to attend a professional fireworks display and be sure to supervise children at all times.

Officials say that the popular sparklers are also dangerous. These attractive and seemingly harmless fireworks can burn up to 1,200 degrees and cause 27 percent of all fireworks injuries, including third-degree burns.

To prevent eye injuries:

• Never let children play with fireworks of any type.

• View fireworks at least 500 feet away.

• Leave the lighting of fireworks to trained professionals.

• Respect safety barriers set up to allow pyro-technicians to do their jobs safely.

• If you find unexploded fireworks, do not touch them. Immediately contact your local fire or police departments.