September is Home and Sports Eye Safety Month. According to Prevent Blindness America, there are thousands of eye injuries a year related to sports and hazards around the house. Here are some tips that you can use to help prevent eye injuries:

Wear eye protection

Did you know that almost 90% of eye injuries can be prevented by wearing eye protection? Protecting eyes during sports and risky household chores can help prevent blindness and permanent eye damage.

Some sports are riskier than others. Click here for a list of sports that you may need to wear protective eyewear.

Also make sure to wear protective eyewear when performing risky household tasks such as:

• Clipping hedges
• Mowing the lawn
• Cooking food that can cause oil to splatter
• Opening champagne bottles
• Drilling or hammering
• Cleaning with hazardous chemicals

Use protective shields while cooking

Read labels of chemical cleaning products before using them.

Inspect the lawn or area where you will perform yard work for potential flying debris.

Cushion sharp edges on furniture if you have children or elderly individuals in the house

Check to ensure that spray nozzles are pointing away from you

Use tools that are in good condition

If you think you have an eye injury, make sure to contact an eye doctor immediately.