Prevent Holiday Tragedies With Safe Toys & Celebrations

December 2, 2002, Provo, UT - 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 - including some seemingly innocent ones - and sporting equipment are responsible for thousands of eye injuries to children every year. That's why Excel Eye Center is celebrating Safe Toys and Celebrations Month this December and urging Utah parents to purchase safe toys and gifts this year.

"Every year Excel Eye Center doctors see first hand the devastating damage toys can inflict,'' said Michael S. Abrams, M.D., pediatric ophthalmologist at Excel Eye Center of Orem. "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 and maturity level 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 and have them fitted by an eye care professional. About 40,000 sports-related eye injuries occur every year. But, approximately 90 percent of them could have been avoided with the right protective eyewear. By following a few simple safety tips, you can make sure your holidays are festive and injury free.

To find out if your planned purchases pose potential risks, contact Excel Eye Center or schedule an eye appointment today. Call Orem 866-837-4766, Provo 877-YOUR-EYES, American Fork 800-722-8754, Payson 800-325-3127.

Happy Holidays from Excel Eye Center!

About Excel Eye Center

For more than 80 years, Excel Eye Center has been the standard for eye care in Utah County by consistently providing the highest available levels of professional eye treatment in a caring and friendly environment. Today the company is among the largest private ophthalmologic practices in the Western United States with full-service treatment centers in Provo, Orem, American Fork, and Payson and satellite offices in Nephi, Fillmore, Mt. Pleasant, Richfield, Gunnison, and Delta. In addition to offering a complete range of ophthalmologic and optometric services, the company also specializes in laser-assisted corrective surgery, (including LASIK), pediatric ophthalmology, cataract care and cosmetic surgery. For more information, call (801) 374-1818 or visit www.exceleyecenter.com.

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