With Independence Day just around the corner, fireworks safety is a major concern. In 2004, an estimated 9,600 injuries treated in emergency rooms involved fireworks. More than two-thirds of these incidents occurred during the one month period surrounding the Fourth of July.

While the holiday is a time to celebrate, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Statistics show that bystanders are more often injured by fireworks than the people who set them off. Forty percent of these injuries are to children 15 and younger, with firecrackers and sparklers being the top contributors. Since the eyes and face are the second most commonly injured part of the body, Prevent Blindness America, a health and safety organization devoted to preserving sight, coordinates Fireworks Safety Month.

Although parents should avoid letting their children play with fireworks, accidents do occur. In the event of an eye injury, minimize the damage by following these rules:

• Do not rub the eye since it may increase bleeding or make the injury worse.
• Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can cause more damage than rubbing.
• Do not apply pressure and don’t let your child touch his or her eye.
• Do not stop for medicine! Pain relievers can thin blood and therefore increase bleeding. Instead, take the child immediately to the emergency room.
• Do not apply ointment, which makes the eye slippery and harder for the doctor to examine.
• Do not let your child play with fireworks. Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, and bottle rockets can stray off course or throw shrapnel when they explode.