Thousands of eye accidents happen each day; 90 percent of these are preventable with the use of appropriate safety eyewear.

Because there are good eye safety regulations in the workplace, the home is the source of the fastest-growing number of eye injuries. Eye injuries are almost as great a danger to bystanders as the people using dangerous tools or chemicals in the home. Good eye protection is just as important for those watching you work as for the workers themselves.

Here are some helpful tips to avoid eye injuries in and around your home:

• 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.
• Leave personal-use items (cosmetics, toiletry products), kitchen utensils and desk supplies where they are not easily accessible to children.
• Inspect and remove debris from lawns before mowing.
• Use occupant restraints such as infant and child safety seats, booster seats, safety belts and shoulder harnesses in cars.
• Avoid toys with sharp or rigid points, shafts, spikes, rods and dangerous edges.
• Keep toys intended for older children away from younger children.
• Use guards on all power equipment.
• Wear chemical safety goggles when using hazardous solvents and detergents.
• Read and follow all manufacturer instructions and warning labels.
• Do not mix cleaning agents.
• Know that regular eyeglasses don't always provide enough protection.
• Keep paints, pesticides, fertilizers and similar products properly stored in a secure area.
• Avoid flying toys and projectile-firing toys; these pose a danger to all children, particularly those under five years old.
• Beware of items in playgrounds and play areas that pose potential eye hazards.
• Keep your tools in good condition; damaged tools should be repaired or replaced.
• Wear safety glasses or dust goggles to protect against flying particles, and chemical goggles to guard against exposure to fertilizers and pesticides.
• Keep BB guns away from kids.

(Courtesy: Prevent Blindness America)