Eye Safety Tips for the Holiday Season
Featured Expert
Updated October 23, 2026
The bustle and excitement of the holiday season can make it the most wonderful time of year. While preparing for safe and fun holidays, there are several hazards to keep top of mind. Bo Wang, M.D., Ph.D., pediatric ophthalmologist at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine shares tips for celebrating the holidays safely.
Key Points
- Holiday decorations are sometimes sharp, pointed or easily breakable, so be mindful while moving around to decorate.
- Age recommendations for toys should be strictly followed, as misuse can lead to potential eye injury.
- Celebratory items like drink bottles and fireworks can potentially be eye hazards if not safely handled.
Tips for Safe Holiday Decorating
- Take precautions while picking out, decorating and admiring your Christmas tree, as this holiday essential can come with an overlooked hazard. Branches and pine needles can scratch the eye or lodge in the eye if you walk into them or lose your balance.
- Be careful around glass and pointed ornaments on the tree or around the house. Keep them out of the reach of children.
- Use care with string lights, extension cords and broken bulbs. Damaged wiring or shattered glass can cause cuts or eye injuries.
Tips for Picking Out Safe Holiday Gifts
- Follow the age recommendations for children’s toys. A recent study shows that 96% of parents do not follow age labels and recommendations for toys. These suggestions are based on kids’ developmental abilities at a given age and not on a child’s intelligence. Not following these recommendations can lead to misuse of a toy and potential injury.
- BB, pellet and paintball guns are hazardous, and it’s strongly urged to not gift these to children. However, in the event a child receives one, they should also be equipped with protective eyeglasses. They should only be used around adult supervision.
- Foam-dart-shooting guns, such as Nerf guns, might appear safe due to the soft projectiles, but can cause serious eye injury. Children should wear protective eyewear while using these toys, be taught never to aim at the face, and always be supervised during play.
Tips for Safe Holiday Celebrations
- While a little bit of the bubbly can be an enjoyable ending to a holiday celebration, the corks in champagne bottles can release at almost 50 mph. The force can be strong enough to cause major damage to the eye. Point the bottle away from yourself and others to avoid injury.
- Lighting fireworks is a less common winter holiday activity, but if you are present during these displays, always practice proper eye safety and maintain a safe distance from any fireworks display.
Tips to Manage Winter Sunrays
- Use proper eye protection from the sun while traveling or while playing outside, particularly in snow. While ultraviolet radiation is generally lower during the winter months, snow reflection can increase your exposure to it.
- Consider sunglasses or goggles if you’ll be skiing, sledding or spending extended time outside.
Basic precautions will help keep you and your loved ones safe. Prepare ahead of time, and enjoy the holidays safely!
Medically Reviewed by: Bo Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Wilmer Eye Trauma Center
The Wilmer Eye Institute provides emergency care to patients sustaining eye trauma, and has been designated as the only eye trauma center in Maryland by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.
