Children’s Hospital & Medical Center is spreading awareness about eye safety ahead of the Independence Day holiday by offering free safety glasses to the public, made possible by support from Ameritas. With Ameritas’ generous donation of $15,000, more than 4,000 pairs of safety glasses will be available for families in Lincoln and Omaha.
“Severe injuries related to fireworks are becoming more common every year and can easily be prevented,” says Paul Rychwalski, MD, chief of opthamology at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. “Fireworks and sparklers are incendiary, explosive devices that can burn at temperatures up to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit and even brief contact with the delicate tissues of the eye can cause devastating burns.”
According to a report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 11,500 people were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments for fireworks injuries in 2021. An estimated 15 percent of those injuries involved eyes, and 65 percent of all fireworks injuries are to bystanders. Eye injuries from fireworks can be especially severe because of the combination of force, heat and chemicals.
“The safety glasses will help make this Independence Day a safe, fun environment for local families,” said Liz Ring Carlson, vice president, corporate communications, community relations and meetings & events.
“Ameritas seeks to offer families affordable, comprehensive vision coverage and partnering with Children’s Hospital and Medical Center on handing out safety glasses to families is exciting and a great partnership that will benefit the community.”
Pick up a pair of free safety glasses at the following locations from Monday, June 26, through Monday, July 3. Maximum one pair per child while supplies last.
Children’s Optical Shop
8534 Cass St.
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Children’s Physicians, Creighton
2412 Cuming St., Suite 103
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. to noon
Children’s Physicians and Children’s Urgent Care location at West Village Pointe
110 N. 175th St. (Entrance D)
Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Lincoln Specialty Pediatric Clinic
2121 S. 56th St.
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
