This year’s fire season brings a higher than normal risk for wildfires.
In an effort to encourage safety and precaution when dealing with fire and smoke, here are a few tips to protect your eyes.
What to do when smoke hits your eyes:
- Rinse your eyes with clean water at least once a day or more often if they burn or itch.
- Don’t rub your eyes. You might transfer dust and ash from your hands or face to your eyes and that could scratch or irritate them. Don’t forget to wash your hands regularly, especially if you wear contact lenses.
- Use lubricating eye drops or artificial tears to keep your eyes refreshed and help get rid of dust and particles that can irritate eyes.
- Keep windows and doors closed to keep the air indoors clean. Use your best judgment—if it’s extremely hot outside and you don’t have air conditioning, you may want to let in some outside air.
- Run your air conditioner. Be sure to keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing in additional smoke.
- Avoid using anything that burns, like fireplaces, gas stoves and candles.
- Don’t vacuum, since that can stir up dust already present in your home.
If you believe you have an eye infection or injury, get medical attention from an eye doctor or first aid station as soon as possible.
source: “Protect Your Eyes From Smoke.” by Dave Johnston VSPBlog.com VSP Blog, Aug. 28 2013. Web. Oct. 9th, 2017.
For more helpful eyecare and vision care tips, please visit our main blog page.