Eye-opening safety tips

In the movie, "A Christmas Story," Ralphie sets out world that a Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect gift. "You'll shoot your eye out!" was the response he got from his parents, teacher, and even Santa Claus. It is one of the more memorable quotes from this film because we all have heard it repeatedly during our childhood. However, it comes true for too many people.

Toys--including some seemingly innocent ones--and sporting equipment are responsible for thousands of eye injuries to children.

"Every year, eye specialists see firsthand the devastating damage toys can warns Karen Gehrs, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences in the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City. "By getting the word out, we hope to save children from needless suffering."

When shopping for toys, check labels to make sure they are age- and maturity-level appropriate; avoid games or toys with sharp or protruding parts or projectiles; and consider carefully before giving darts, pellet guns, or other firearms.

If giving sporting equipment that has the potential for eye injury, be sure to include the appropriate protective eyewear. Approximately 42,000 sports-related eye injuries occur every year, but 90% of them could have been avoided.

Lastly, before you open a bottle of your favorite bubbly to toast the holidays, learn how do it safely. Corks should be pointed away from you and others, and make sure your champagne is chilled to at least 45[degrees]F before opening.

Warm bottles of champagne, coupled with bad technique, are responsible for numerous serious, or even blinding, injuries.

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COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group