Eye injuries the focus of charity firework safety campaign

Optical charity Fight for Sight is helping to lead this yearÕs firework safety warnings in the run-up to November 5. The campaign stresses that it is children and teenagers who are at most risk.
Last year 254 people suffered eye injuries caused by fireworks, and 143 of them were aged between three and 17 years.
Most eye injuries involve laceration, burn or rupture of the cornea, haemorrhage, tearing or detachment of the retina, or deformity of the iris.
ÔFight for Sight hopes that firework spectaculars will remind people of how precious their sight is,Õ said Julie Buckler, chief executive of the charity.
ÔIf they follow the DTIÕs Fireworks Safety Code, and behave in an appropriate manner when handling fireworks, then Bonfire Night can be a happy event for everyone. For children especially, fireworks are usually a magical experience Ð we just donÕt want anyone to suffer terrible eye-injuries.Õ
To get the message across the charity has turned to television presenter Gail Porter who was involved in Channel 4Õs series on sight this summer, and was blindfolded for ÔCelebrity Blind ManÕs BuffÕ.
ÔI can honestly say it was one of the most scary experiences of my life,Õ she said, Ôand I would hate to think of anyone Ð but most of all a youngster Ð having to live their whole life like that because of a silly prank with a firework.Õ