Prevent Holiday Tragedies
December is Safe Toys and Celebrate Wisely Month

In the much-loved movie "A Christmas Story," Ralphie sets out to convince the 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 good ol' Santa Claus himself. It's one of the more hilarious and memorable quotes from this Christmas classic because we've all heard it repeatedly during our childhood. But, unfortunately, it comes true for too many people.

It's hard to resist indulging your child's overwhelming desire for his or her most wished for gift, especially during the holiday season, but sometimes you have to for their safety. Toys and sporting equipment are responsible for thousands of eye injuries to children every year. But an amazing 90 percent of these injuries were preventable. That's why Virginia's Eye M.D.s (ophthalmologists) are urging Americans to choose safe toys and gifts, in honor of Safe Toys and Celebrate Wisely Month.

Every year Eye M.D.s see first hand the devastating damage toys can inflict. 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-appropriate, pass on games or toys with sharp or protruding parts or projectiles, and consider carefully before giving darts, pellet guns or other firearms. These items may not be appropriate for some children.

If you're giving sporting equipment, consider including protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses fitted by an eye care professional. About 100,000 sports-related eye injuries occur every year. One-third of these injuries happen to children under age 16. Yet, 90 percent could have been avoided had the child worn protective eyewear.

Lastly, before you open a bottle of your favorite bubbly to toast the holidays, learn how to do it correctly. Every year, warm bottles of champagne, coupled with bad echnique, are responsible for causing serious, blinding injuries.

Happy Holidays!

Important Facts About Choosing the Right Toys & Celebrating Safely

When choosing toys:

• Check packaging for age recommendations. Give only age-appropriate toys.

• Be on the look out for toys or games with sharp or protruding parts or projectiles.

• Consider carefully before giving darts, pellet guns, potato guns or other firearms. These items may not be appropriate for some children.

• Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games.

• If you're giving sporting equipment, consider this: sports-related eye injuries are
  all too common in children and can cause permanent vision damage. Have your
  child fitted with protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses.

When opening a bottle of champagne:

• Keep the bottle cold. Make sure sparkling wine is chilled to at least 45 degrees
  Fahrenheit before opening.

• Hold the cork down with the palm of your hand while you untwist the wire hood.

• Point the bottle away from yourself and others. Place a towel over the top and tilt the bottle at a 45-degree angle. Slowly and firmly, twist the cork to break the seal.

• Keeping the bottle at a 45-degree angle, hold it firmly with one hand and use the
  other to slowly turn the cork with a slight upward pull. Continue until the cork is almost out of the neck. Counter the force of the cork by applying slight downward pressure just as the cork breaks free from the bottle.