Protecting young children from eye injuries at home and at play

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.

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.

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.

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.