Trouble in Toyland

Since Prevent Blindness America named December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month, we thought it only fitting to look back on the most dangerous toys in 2012.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) released its 27^th annual Trouble in Toyland survey last month and revealed that generally, most toys are safer than ever before. 

However, there were still a few toys that proved to be dangerous. Tests on the Morphobot revealed a high lead content that exceeded the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. PIRG stated, “Lead is especially toxic to the brains of young children and can cause permanent mental and developmental impairments; it has no business being in child’s products.”

  

Buckyball magnets can pinch fingers and can cause severe internal damage if swallowed. It can also be considered a choking hazard if it falls in the hands of young kids. 

The Dora Tunes Guitar is considered to be too loud. The guitar is a potential noise hazard for kids and can cause hearing loss.

View the Trouble in Toyland report.

Anderson Cooper Goes Temporarily Blind

The latest news this week is that Anderson Cooper went blind for about 36 hours because he burned his eyeballs during a trip to Portugal.

Anderson Cooper tweeted this picture of himself on December 4th wearing a patch over his right eye (www.twitter.com/andersoncooper)

The 60 Minutes correspondent and CNN anchor said “he woke up in the middle of the night and thought he had sand in his eyes” after being on the water in Portugal filming a 60 Minutes segment. The UV rays bouncing off the water sunburned Cooper’s eyes leaving him temporarily blind and in a lot of pain. Cooper said he doesn’t like wearing sunglasses, but now he will have to make it a point to always wear sunglasses, especially when he’s on the water.

Anderson Cooper on Anderson Live talks about

 his experience going temporarily blind

What If I Were Blind

With the holiday season in the air, I can’t help but stop and think about all the things I’m thankful for in my life, which this year, thanks to my job at Prevent Blindness Texas, includes my sight.

Even though I work at a nonprofit where I talk to clients on a daily basis about their failing vision, I often forget that I am not immune to becoming blind either. Because of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, when you’re generally healthy, none of us have much time to think about our vision or our health in general. 

But eye disease, eye injuries and blindness affect everybody without regard to age, race or social status. You can lose your sight instantaneously due to a sports injury, or over time due to glaucoma or cataracts. Imagine never being able to read your favorite book, never seeing the leaves change colors in the fall, or never seeing your child’s face. Many of us often take our sight for granted, but not all of us are granted the privilege of sight.

Through my time at Prevent Blindness Texas, I’ve learned to appreciate the gift of sight and my hope is that this blog will help you learn to appreciate your sight, as well. It’s a precious gift, and with all things precious, we have to work hard at protecting it. Go to a vision screening or get an eye exam regularly, especially if you notice a difference in your vision, or if you have a family history of eye disease. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or working with dangerous tools around your home to protect yourself from a serious eye injury. 

On your drive home from school or work, realize that it wouldn’t be so easy (or legal) if you didn’t have your sight. When you see your family members’ smiles, realize you wouldn’t be so lucky if you didn’t have your sight. And when you watch your favorite movie, realize it wouldn’t be as enjoyable if you didn’t have your sight.

Take 2 minutes today and stop and think about all of the things you would miss or couldn't do if you became blind. Now make a commitment to fight and take the steps to prevent blindness.