Many eye injuries are preventable if you take appropriate safety precautions. The advice listed below can help reduce the risk of sustaining an eye injury.
- When using household products, such as cleaning fluids and bleach, always read the labels carefully, work in a well-ventilated area, and make sure that any spray nozzles are pointing away from you before spraying.
- Wash your hands thoroughly when you have finished and make sure you do not rub your eyes if you have been handling cleaning fluids.
- Wear safety goggles while using garden equipment, such as lawn mowers, to keep your eyes safe.
- Take care when inserting or removing contact lenses. Follow the directions for keeping them clean and sterilised, and avoid wearing them for long periods of time. Never sleep with your contact lenses in.
- Avoid looking directly into the sun. When outdoors on sunny days, wear a good-quality pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet light.
- Cover your eyes if you use a sun lamp
- Avoid rubbing your eyes
Safety at work
To reduce the chances of eye injuries happening at work, always ensure that you follow health and safety guidelines. For example:
- wear safety glasses or goggles when using power tools, such as drills or saws, when using a hammer, and when mixing or spraying chemicals
- always make sure that you wear the appropriate safety eyewear for your occupation. For example, if using an arc welder, wear an approved face mask to prevent sparks entering your eyes
More information can be found on the Directgov website about health and safety at work.
