It’s important to keep your eyes safe and healthy all year long, but the holiday season tends to put us in situations where we might need to be extra careful with our eyesight – it’s a precious gift, after all.

 

 

In the kitchen

Whether you’re the designated cook in the family, the taste-tester, or just a bystander, here are a few common ways eye injuries happen in the kitchen and how you can avoid them:

• Cooking foods that can splatter hot grease or oil. Use grease shields on frying pans to protect yourself from splattering.
• Food residue can end up sticking to your fingers. Wash your hands thoroughly after preparing food. Or better yet, wear gloves while chopping vegetables and working with spices.
• Opening champagne bottles during a celebration. Wrap a towel or cloth around the top of the bottle while unscrewing it to “catch” the cork. Never point a champagne bottle towards another person or yourself when opening it.
• Using chemicals such as oven cleaner and bleach. Read the labels of chemicals and cleaners carefully, and don’t mix products.
• Using sharp objects. Be especially careful with knives, forks, scissors, etc.

 

 

Decorating

Everyone loves a little seasonal flair. While adding decorations to your home, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

• Consider using flameless or battery powered menorahs and other festive candles to avoid the risk of burns to the eyes and skin.
• Take precautions while decorating your tree. Be alert around branches and pine needles.
• Be careful around glass and pointed ornaments on the tree or around the house. Keep them out of the reach of children.
• Watch out for glitter – it is everywhere during the holidays and can easily get into your eyes.

 

 

Toys

With it being the season of giving and gifting, it’s no surprise that December is Safe Toys and Celebrations Month. Each year, about 250,000 children are taken to hospital emergency rooms for toy-related eye injuries.¹

Toys can be fun and entertaining but be sure to keep your family safe while playing with them. Here are a few toy safety tips:

• Check labels for recommended age.
• Repair or throw away broken toys.
• Include proper protective eyewear with sports-related gifts.
• Ensure adult supervision with toy guns (including foam darts), projectiles (slingshots, arrows), laser pointers, and anything with sharp edges (swords).
• Focus on giving educational and developmental toys as gifts, such as arts and crafts, stacking toys, books, board games, puzzles, etc.

 

 

Outdoor activities

If your holiday plans involve outdoor activities like skiing or snowboarding, ensure you have the proper protective eyewear, such as goggles. Winter weather can be harsh on your eyes, and UV rays are still present even on cloudy days. Pro tip: Avoid tree branches and watch out for melting icicles.

Many people travel during the holidays. Whether you’re driving to your destination or vacationing in tropical climates – it’s important to keep your eyes safe and wear sunglasses every time you head outdoors.

 

 

Electronics

From shopping online for gifts to playing videos games during winter break, the holiday season often means increased screentime for the entire family. You can reduce digital eye strain by incorporating the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and focus on something 20 feet away.

If you spend a lot of time in front of screens year-round, ask your provider about blue light lenses during your next eye exam.

 

 

Schedule an eye exam

The holiday season is all about giving, and what better gift to give yourself and your loved ones than the gift of clear vision? Make time for your annual eye exam – click here to find an in-network Surency Provider.

 

 

 

1. “Play It Safe: Avoiding Common Eye Injuries”; University of Rochester Medical Center; urmc.edu; July 24, 2025.