The holiday season is in full effect and for most of us it's a time that we all look forward to as it means attending parties, relaxing, and spending time with the people we love most. It is meant to be a time of joy and celebration. Do not let preventable eye injuries ruin your time with family and friends this season. Parents should be especially aware of the potential holiday eye hazards that could affect their children. By simply following a few helpful tips you can ensure that your holidays will be safe, merry, and bright!

• When trimming the tree, do not use any ornaments that are breakable, have metal hooks, or any detachable parts. 

• If you have small children, keep the lower branches of your tree trimmed back so the risk of them accidentally poking their eyes is reduced.

• Outdoor winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and even snowball fights can cause trauma to the eyes if not properly protected. Be sure to wear proper eye protection to prevent potential eye injuries when engaging in these kind of winter activities.

• Fireplaces or other open flames can cause burns to both children and adults. Candles should be kept out of reach of curious children as they can drip or splatter hot wax and burn children's eyes if they get too close.

'Tis the season for gift giving. Adoring relatives, especially grandparents, love surprising little ones with the coolest toys to start off the New Year. Since no one chooses gifts that will intentionally harm, it's important to remember that some popular children's toys can cause serious eye injuries.

• Purchase gifts that are age appropriate. Check labels on toys for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are intended for a child's specific age and maturity.

• Inspect toys to make sure that they are well made and there are no sharp corners. Avoid purchasing toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.

• Make sure that children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could result in an eye injury.

• When appropriate, make sure children use eye protection to avoid serious harm or injury during play time.

The holidays can also mean a lot of time behind the wheel. Blurry vision can become a concern for many drivers during long journeys. The best way to avoid this occurrence and to be as safe as possible is to make plans ahead of time. Be sure to get enough rest or find a place to stay nearby your destination. Here are some tips to avoid fatigue and improve alertness during your holiday drives:

• Use artificial tears that will help soothe and refresh tired eyes.

• Plan rest breaks every couple of hours. Be sure to get out of your vehicle to stretch and take a short walk if you can.

• If possible, share the driving. Breaking up long distance travels between drivers can prove to be very beneficial.